Information for Patients

DUTCH Cycle Mapping

HOW TO COMPLETE THE TEST

Full collection instructions are found inside the test kit. You can preview these instructions below.

Blood Draw Collection Centres

Please refer to the websites below for your nearest pathology collection centre:

VIDEO GUIDE

It is important that you follow the instructions inside your test kit very carefully.

For further support, you can watch this step-by-step video guide.

ABOUT THE DUTCH Cycle Mapping

The DUTCH Cycle Mapping test is a dried urinary test that maps the progesterone and estrogen pattern throughout the menstrual cycle. It provides the full picture of the cycle to answer important questions for patients with month-long symptoms, infertility, and PCOS. Nine targeted estrogen and progesterone measurements are taken throughout the cycle to characterise the follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases.

ABOUT Precision Analytical

Precision Analytical is a CLIA certified laboratory based in Oregon, USA. It is run by a team of dedicated scientists with over 50 years combined experience in performing laboratory testing and the development of innovative testing methodology. After extensive experience working within numerous well-known hormone testing laboratories, Precision Analytical was established by Mark Newman to address the need for better clinical accuracy, convenience and relevance compared with existing conventional hormone testing methods. Subsequently developing one of the most advanced and comprehensive models for testing a patient’s steroid and adrenal hormones.

Important!

Not following the instructions will result in sample rejection and your sample will need to be recollected.

This test is only for those who are menstruating or
are not menstruating because they have had a partial hysterectomy or ablation

Test FAQs

Simply collect the sample as instructed the following day. All samples do not need to be collected in one 24-hour period. If a patient does collect their sample across 2-3 days that is ok provided they are still covering all of the time schedules and following restriction schedules.
Ovulation test strips or saliva scope from the pharmacy can be used to confirm ovulation. Once ovulation is confirmed, the ideal sample collection time is 5 days later.
It is not advisable to do DUTCH on The Pill as it will give no information on oestrogen and progesterone as they will be suppressed and reduced to postmenopausal range. However, the remainder of the report will be valid. We recommend that if that patient comes off The Pill to wait at least 3 cycles before testing.
If you have a partial hysterectomy you can complete the test at any stage of your cycle.

General FAQs

Please be aware that if you are sending your sample by post, this may take up to 1 week to arrive at RN Labs. (You can contact your local post office for more specific time frames). While most test results usually take between 2 – 3 weeks from the date your sample is received by RN Labs, Cycle Mapping test results may take up to 4-5 weeks.

RN Labs then forwards the results to your practitioner. We cannot send results directly to the patient. Only your practitioner can explain your results to you.

This is for a similar reason as to why you need to book an appointment with your GP to discuss general pathology test results. It is important that your practitioner can discuss the results with you; therefore, we cannot give out test results directly to patients.
Functional pathology tests are an extremely comprehensive assessment of what is potentially occurring within a person’s body. They often test very different things than what general pathology tests do. From the results, your practitioner may be able to develop more specific treatment plans that address the cause of your symptoms.
We offer functional pathology tests that have been produced by leading international laboratories, meaning the samples are assessed in overseas labs, such as in the US. This means we cannot offer Medicare rebates on our testing services. Further to this, all of our tests use extremely accurate and scientific, research-backed technology, which can contribute to higher costs. The information gained from functional pathology tests can often provide a new level of insight that allows healthcare practitioners to develop more accurate and patient-specific treatment plans, to ensure their patients are on the right track to feeling better.

The instructions found inside the test kit will tell you to either send by express post, courier pick-up, or general post (depending on what test you are completing and your location). You will either find a pre-paid courier bag or a return postal envelope inside the test kit for returning your sample.

If sending by Aus post express or pick-up courier – it is important that you time your collection to be ready to send/picked-up on a Monday or Tuesday only – so that we receive it in time for our twice-weekly shipments to the overseas labs every Tuesday and Thursday.

  • This is particularly important if the sample is time-sensitive. Please refer to the Collection Instructions found inside your Test Kit to check if your sample is time-sensitive. Any sample that has to be frozen prior to shipment is time sensitive.

  • RN Labs is closed weekends, public holidays, and 4 weeks over Christmas (mid Dec – mid Jan). Please do not conduct your test / send samples during this time.

  • If you are unable to ship the specimen the same day you finish the collection (i.e. over the weekend or public holiday), store your sample as instructed on the Collection Instructions in your test kit.

If sending by general post – please be aware general post can take anywhere from 1-10 days to arrive at our Head Office, which can add to your overall test turn-around time. If you would like your sample to be sent by express post, simply take it to your local post office and pay the additional expense for the express option. Express generally takes 1-2 days and the cost will vary depending on your location.

Please refer to the Collection Instructions found inside your test kit.
Some foods, supplements and medications can influence the test results and these will be noted in the test collection instructions. It is up to your healthcare practitioner to discuss with you what foods, supplements or medications they want you to continue or discontinue. Never discontinue medication without speaking with your healthcare practitioner.
It is best to contact your practitioner – they may like you to wait until you are feeling back to your normal state of health before conducting the test.
It may help to perform the test when you are in the privacy of your home, on a day where you don’t have much else on. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the test and approach it as a step-by-step process. After you complete the first step, you can then read the instructions to see what your next step is. Remember, your practitioner has recommended that you do the test in order to help you reach a better state of health. If you are feeling too overwhelmed and / or uncomfortable, we suggest that you contact your practitioner to discuss other options.
RN Labs will never share your test results with anyone other than your healthcare practitioner.
Full test price (including handling fee) is charged to your credit card on the same day we receive your test kit order. The kit is then generally dispatched within 1 business day. Please allow 1-5 working days for delivery.
Request for a refund on an unsubmitted test must be made no more than 30 days after the test kit order. The handling fee will not be refunded.

FURTHER SUPPORT

Should you require further support, our friendly customer service team can help you with any specific questions on billing, shipping, or collection.

For all other enquires, please contact your practitioner. Please be aware that our customer service team cannot assist with any questions regarding your health or why you have been recommended this test. Thanks for your understanding.

S QLD / N NSW Area Manager

Jessica Morland

Jess is a qualified Nutritionist with a Bachelor of Health Science in Nutritional Medicine. She believes that there is no one size fits all approach and is passionate about educating, inspiring and supporting clients and practitioners with a customised approach to healthcare. Specialties include preconception, pregnancy, post-natal and infant care. 

Jess is excited to build relationships, educate and share her knowledge with both retail and practitioners in South Queensland and Northern NSW.

Lauren Matich, BHSc (Nat.)

Lauren Matich

BHSc (Nat.)

Lauren is an NHAA accredited Clinical Naturopath with a Bachelor of Health Science. She is incredibly passionate about natural health and educating clients on the foundational importance of nutrition, lifestyle and stress management and believes complimenting these building blocks with nutraceutical support and functional testing often holds the key to optimal health and vitality. Lauren looks forward to supporting practitioners and clients in these key areas.

Specialties include supporting thyroid health, digestive disorders and mental health.