Jen Gunter Instagram – I feel like I am tagged almost every day in some influencer post about the DUTCH test. As a reminder, I have a detailed article about it on TheVajenda.com
If you have not heard about this test, great! Keep it that way!
This test is not recommended by actual experts. If you come across an influencer recommending this test they are either not an actual expert in reproductive hormones or they are a grifter. Those are the only two options. Neither are people from whom you should source information.
Urine testing for estrogen metabolites is of no value in medicine. We have no studies to tell us what to do with these tests. I have seen people refuse menopause hormone therapy because results from this test told them they favored a “bad” estrogen pathway. This is only one way in which unindicated testing can harm people. And of course this test is a way for people to make money, because they charge for interpreting. And of course the grift is in charging to interpret the results, because they will recommend repeating it, often several times a year.
In the world of evidence based medicine we never recommend urine or salivary test for that matter for evaluating reproductive hormones. When testing is needed, we order a blood test.
We never recommend hormone testing, never mind hormone metabolite testing as a baseline, but that is what is promoted on the website for this test. We never recommend managing MHT based on levels, but that is what is recommended on the website. I could go on, but I would get even angrier than I am.
I see real harm from people changing their medical care based on results from the DUTCH test and, of course, people are told to take expensive supplements and I am sure follow restrictive diets based on the results. This is not benign!
When you see people recommending the DUTCH test, my advice would be to block or at least unfollow.
Until we have large scale prospective studies that tell us how this test can help women, it is of no value. Which is where we are currently. This test provides the illusion of care, but it is just an illusion. And you deserve better. | Posted on 30/May/2024 04:46:19