Dried Urine Collection Standard (DUTCH Testing)

This guidance applies to Regenerus dried urine testing, including DUTCH Complete, DUTCH Adrenal, DUTCH OATs, and related panels.

Collection Timing (By Cycle Status)

Cycling Premenopausal Women
Begin collection between days 19 and 22 of a standard 28-day menstrual cycle.

For cycles longer than 28 days, add the number of additional days to this window.
For shorter cycles, subtract accordingly (for example, days 17–20 for a 26-day cycle).

Irregular Cycles or Non-Cycling (e.g. endometrial ablation or hysterectomy)
Please refer to the Irregular Cycle Collection video in the DUTCH video library for guidance on optimal timing.

Men and Postmenopausal or Non-Cycling Women
Samples may be collected on any day.

DUTCH Adrenal or DUTCH OATs Only
Sample collection may be completed on any day, regardless of cycle status.

Sample Collection Method

Each collection device must be completed and labelled before use. To collect your sample:

Saturate the filter paper fully by urinating directly onto it, or by using a clean cup and dipping the filter paper.
Leave the collection card open to dry for a minimum of 24 hours.
Once fully dry, close each device securely.
Place all dried devices into the resealable plastic bag and return them in the provided envelope.

Please ensure the completed requisition form is included, along with the payment card if required.

Daily Collection Schedule

While following your usual wake and sleep routine, collect samples as close as possible to the timeline below.

Day 1

Dinnertime Sample (#1) — approximately 5:00 PM
Avoid large fluid intake after lunch. Do not drink fluids for two hours before collection.
Bedtime Sample (#2) — approximately 10:00 PM
Do not drink fluids for two hours before collection.
Overnight Sample (Optional)
Collect only if you wake and urinate during your first overnight disturbance.
If you wake a second time, do not collect an additional overnight sample.

Day 2

Waking Sample (#3) — within 10 minutes of waking
Please collect immediately and do not remain awake in bed before collecting.
2 Hours After Waking Sample (#4)
Collect approximately two hours after Sample #3. Limit fluids to one cup between these samples and avoid caffeine or alcohol.

Fluid Guidance
To support consistent results, avoid drinking fluids for two hours before each collection. Total fluid intake should remain moderate during the collection period.

Medication, Hormone, and Supplement Guidance

This test is designed to assess patients while continuing their usual hormone protocols, unless otherwise directed by their practitioner.

Key considerations include:

Oral DHEA — avoid for 48 hours before the first collection
Oral estrogen or pregnenolone — avoid for 72 hours before collection
Night-time hormones (including oral progesterone) — take only after the bedtime sample
Morning hormones — delay until after Sample #4
Glucocorticoids (e.g. prednisone, dexamethasone) — consult your practitioner
Patches, pellets, injections — collect midway between doses

For sublingual hormones or oral hydrocortisone, please refer to DUTCH-specific video instructions.

Dietary Considerations (DUTCH Complete or DUTCH OATs)
Avoid avocado, bananas, and fava beans for 48 hours before collection, as these may affect certain organic acid markers. If consumed, note this on the requisition form.

Some supplements (including tyrosine, L-Dopa, DLPA, mucuna, and quercetin) may also impact results. Please discuss with your practitioner where relevant.

Missed or Out-of-Order Collections

If you miss a scheduled collection, simply complete it the following day. Samples do not need to be collected within a single 24-hour period.

Collections may also be completed in a different order if needed (for example, starting with Sample #3 and #4 before collecting evening samples).

Storage and Return Timing

Hormones remain stable in dried urine samples; however, specimens should be returned as soon as possible after collection.

If you are unable to ship immediately, store the dried samples in the resealable plastic bag in the freezer after drying.

Alternative Sleep Schedules (Night Workers)

If your sleep schedule is non-standard:

Collect the bedtime sample (#2) before your longest sleep period
Collect the waking sample (#3) immediately after waking
Collect Sample #4 two hours later
Collect the dinnertime sample (#1) approximately 4–7 hours before bed

Paediatric Testing

The minimum recommended age for DUTCH dried urine testing is 12 years.
For children under 12, DUTCH strongly recommends the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) measured via saliva.

Further Support

If you have any questions regarding dried urine collection or kit instructions, please contact Regenerus Labs Customer Support:

Email: info@regeneruslabs.com
Phone: 020 3750 0870

Summary Checklist (DUTCH Dried Urine)

Before returning your samples, please confirm:

✅ Collection completed on the correct day for cycle status
✅ All devices fully saturated and dried for 24 hours
✅ Samples collected according to the recommended schedule
✅ Hormones taken in line with timing guidance
✅ Requisition form completed and included
✅ All devices sealed in the plastic bag and returned promptly