We provide patients with test kits which include all the collection materials required, as well as clear instructions. Collected specimens are then sent for laboratory analysis. The results give us insight into your nutritional, biochemical, functional, metabolic and hormonal status.
We use functional pathology testing to:
- Obtain more information about your general health
- Explore potential causes of specific conditions or symptoms
- Determine nutritional concerns
- Identify toxins or imbalances in the body
We discuss the results with you during consultations and use them to develop your personalised treatment plan.
Functional pathology testing can be especially helpful for chronic conditions, or for symptoms which have multiple potential causes. They help us dig deeper so we can treat your specific situation.
What functional pathology tests do we perform?
We recommend different tests based on your health history and your symptoms. The ones we perform most commonly are:
Saliva Hormone Assessments or DUTCH (dried urine) Testing
- Used when we suspect hormonal imbalance is affecting your health.
- Women may experience PMS, period pain, or be going through menopause.
- Men or women may be struggling with fatigue, stress, insomnia, mood changes, weight gain or cravings.
- These can also be useful with assessing stress responses, ‘burnout’ or sleep disorders.
Saliva tests may be preferable to blood tests since they measure ‘free’ (non-protein-bound) levels of hormones. These free hormones are the ones which usually produce symptoms, and act directly in the tissues.
Hormones we test for include
- Oestrogens (E1,E2,E3)
- Progesterone
- Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
- Cortisol (Adrenal Stress Studies)
- Melatonin
- DHEA
Neurotransmitter Metabolites
Neurotransmitters send signals between the body and the brain, and between different parts of the brain. Levels of different neurotransmitters are measured, usually from a urine sample. The results can give insights into brain chemistry, which may be affecting overall health.
Urine Organic Acid Studies
Used to investigate
- Environmental pollutants (eg pesticides, herbicides, solvents)
- Metabolic impairments such as mitochondrial dysfunction in fatigue syndromes
Thyroid Function Testing
Thyroid disorders affect over 1 million Australians and can cause weight changes, mood changes, gut symptoms, ‘brain fog’ fatigue and many other symptoms.
We can test for all thyroid hormones including RT3, Free T3/T4, and urine iodine
Methylation Testing/MTHFR
Methylation is a biochemical process which governs many aspects of metabolic health, including hormonal regulation, brain chemistry, histamine and cardiovascular risk factors. It also regulates how genes are expressed (turned ‘on’ and ‘off). Some genetic variations in methylation can affect your metabolism, mood and energy, as well as your risk of chronic illness.
