FUNCTIONAL TESTING
Clarity. Insight.
Targeted.
Create your ultimate wellness roadmap
Advanced Functional Medicine Testing
Advanced functional testing, and correctly interpreted standard bloodwork, allows us to delve deep into your physiology, helping to uncover underlying imbalances, patterns and deficiencies to better target treatment.
Told your blood tests are normal, but still don't feel right?
Even though you’ve been told everything looks fine, your results may not be ‘optimal’. Standard reference ranges are very broad, with results only flagged if outside ranges, to detect disease. The key to gaining more insight is to use functional ranges to identify ‘optimal’ (functioning) levels assessing imbalances and deficiencies to help prevent disease.
Effective Interpretation - Putting the pieces together
Knowledge is Power. Test, don't guess!
When we learn how our bodies work, and how to take care of them, we are empowered in our health.
Functional Testing Commonly Used
Some of the more common tests routinely used include (but not limited to):
Pyrrole Test is primarily used for mental health, gut, immune and hormones
Elevated Pyrroles indicate high oxidative stress, causing Zinc and vitamin B6 deficiencies (along with a few other trace nutrients). Elevated Pyrroles is related to anxiety, ADHD, depression, autism, fatigue, poor stress tolerance, plus hormonal, digestive, skin, immune and sensory issues so testing can be useful. My approach is to identify and address the cause, not just give ongoing high dose supplementation. Underlying factors of oxidative stress (high Pyrroles): trauma, chronic stress, hormones, nutrient deficiencies, poor diet, liver or gut dysfunction, genetics, infections, inflammation, high blood sugar, SIBO, parasites, yeast, medications, drugs, alcohol, mould, heavy metals, environmental toxins.
Methylation, MTHFR, COMT, Genetic Testing primarily used for mental health, fatigue, gut, detoxification, immune, hormone, metabolic, cardiovascular and brain health
More than 50% of people are affected by genetic variations in the methylation pathway especially MTHFR and COMT genes. Almost all our body’s systems require methylation for proper functioning. It’s responsible for repairing and regenerating cells, detoxification, neurotransmitter production influencing mood and sleep, hormones, fertility and healthy pregnancy, controlling homocysteine for cardiovascular and brain function, appropriate stress response, regulating inflammation, processing and metabolising fats, antioxidant production, and healthy immune system function.
Since 2014 people have sought out my methylation/MTHFR expertise primarily for fertility, mental health and complex health issues. Through specialist DNA testing to identify your genetic profile often combined with other testing to determine methylation expression, we can target specific nutrition, dietary and lifestyle interventions to address any methylation or genetic issues like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and fertility.
Organic Acids Test (OAT). Mosaic Labs (formerly Great Plains). Used for Mental health, Fatigue, Metabolic, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Gut
For adults or children experiencing mental health or complex health concerns, I highly recommend the OAT urine test for a comprehensive metabolic snapshot into overall cellular health. Organic acids are metabolic intermediates, produced in central energy production, detoxification, neurotransmitter breakdown, and gut microbial activity. Measuring these organic acids provides important insights into gut brain axis function, oxidative stress, toxin exposure, yeast, gut bacteria, sufficiency of nutrient cofactors for neurotransmitters, detoxification and the body’s ability to break down and use fats, proteins and carbohydrates. The OAT helps get clarity to help create effective, strategic treatment plans for ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, insomnia, fibromyalgia, infections and complex health issues.
Hormone testing DUTCH. Precision Analytical Inc.
The Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones is one of the most advanced, comprehensive tests for measuring hormones and hormone metabolites, giving insight into hormone production and breakdown. DUTCH assesses sex hormones (oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone) and their metabolites, adrenal (stress hormone) dysfunction via cortisol, cortisone and DHEA testing, and markers required to make neurotransmitters, such as B12, B6 and glutathione.
GI-MAP test. Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory. Digestive, microbiome & gut health
Ultimate road-MAP for GUT health. GI-MAP uses cutting edge, Quantitative PCR technology for true DNA/PCR based stool test. This technology has high sensitivity, specificity and a rapid turnaround. Assesses microbiome (gut bacteria) levels and species, digestive markers showing how well you’re breaking down and absorbing food, intestinal permeability (leaky gut), parasites, yeast, pathogenic bacteria, helicobacter and inflammation
GI360 Essentials Doctors Data. Digestive, microbiome & gut health
GI360™ Profile is an innovative, comprehensive and clinically-applicable stool profile, utilising new evidence-based DNA mapping technology coupled with growth-based culture by MALDI-TOF, sensitive biochemical assays and microscopy. The ultimate combination to detect and assess the status of pathogens, viruses, parasites and bacteria potentially contributing to acute or chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.
Co-biome MetaXplore GI Plus by Microba. Digestive, microbiome & gut health
An advanced, comprehensive metagenomic-driven test for personalised insight into what to eat, specific probiotic, prebiotic, fibre, nutrient and polyphenol supplementation and lifestyle choices. Whole microbiome profiling covering a diverse range of bacterial species, pathogens, parasites, yeast/fungi, plus markers of gut inflammation, gut lining, detox, systemic inflammation, motility and digestive secretions. Emerging markers, histamine, ammonia (urease), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production, GABA consumption, vitamin K, lactate, for more indepth analysis where required.
Microba complete microbiome stool test. Microbiome Health
Advanced, cutting-edge technology to understand your unique microbiome, how it affects your health, and how to achieve a better balance between good and less desirable gut bacteria. Your gut microbiome influences your overall health, this test provides important insights to advise what dietary, nutrition and lifestyle choices are needed for optimal gut health.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Test. Nutripath or SIBOtest. Gut health
SIBO causes up to 80% of IBS and bloating issues, the breath test identifies whether SIBO is present, and the type and levels of gas causing your symptoms (methane, hydrogen, sometimes hydrogen sulfide). This information allows me to get very specific with treatment; duration, doses, how to treat, as each type of gas requires a different approach making this an invaluable tool.
Food allergy, intolerances and sensitivity testing. Used for gut, skin, allergies, fatigue, hormones, inflammation
Test options differ, selection depends on your specific symptoms and needs. I most commonly use the KBMO testing panels.
Nutritional markers, Hair Mineral Testing, Detoxification panels, Mould, heavy Metals and environmental toxin testing are also offered if needed.
OMX Organic Metabolomics Test Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory.
Organic acids and amino acids. OMX analyses organic acids, amino acids, evaluating patterns of metabolites related to core biological systems, for deeper insight into biochemical imbalances and metabolic functioning. Using a systems-biology approach, OMX assesses biomarkers beyond the traditional lists of metabolites. Metabolic analysis helps evaluate the function of key pathways to better target treatment.
Adrenal Hormone Test. Nutripath. Used for stress, burnout, sleep, fatigue, hormones, mental health
A great test to review how your nervous system, adrenal hormones and stress are impacting your energy and sleep. This saliva test looks at 4 samples throughout the day to assess cortisol, DHEA levels and melatonin. From this information, we can see whether you are over or under-producing stress hormones, and if your daily rhythm is out of balance. Knowing this helps tailor the right treatment to rebuild your adrenal function and energy.
Omega 3 Index Plus
Omega-3, omega-6 and trans fats all play a role in your health and are related to risk for heart disease, energy production via cell health and mental health. Tracking these identifies if you’re getting the right mix of dietary fats for your optimal health. The overall levels and ratios change with intake, this test pinpoints what you need to eat and if you require extra supplementation.