Functional testing

What is functional testing?

Integrative doctors and naturopaths use specialised tests that measure how the body’s biological and biochemical processes are working as a whole. The tests can measure pathways, enzymes, nutrients, co-factors, genes, hormones, amino acids, neurotransmitters, gut bacteria and parasites.

Rather than isolating a single marker, functional testing is much more specialised in that it looks at how a whole organ or process in the body is functioning and how that may be influencing other systems and the patients’ entire health. It helps practitioners to identify the underlying cause of an illness as well as provide tools for the prevention of disease.

Why do functional testing?

I find functional testing so useful for those cases where people have tried everything and still no improvement. Functional testing is one of the best ways to confirm a medical hypothesis. Rather than guessing and treating based on symptoms alone, functional testing can help clarify cause and, help direct treatment. It gives me and my patients the answer that is often overlooked or missing. Many clients report a huge feeling of relief once they have the solid evidence, and the answers, after many years of searching and being passed around to medical professionals.

Tests that I sometimes request and find useful?

  • Standard blood tests, full blood count

  • Nutrient status - iron, iodine, B vitamins, minerals

  • Heavy metal toxicity

  • Sex hormones and their pathways - we can identify not only if a hormone is high or low but why and what pathway is malfunctioning and affecting metabolism of them. This can be tracked across the cycle.

  • Adrenal hormones, their daily rhythm and metabolism

  • Thyroid hormones (TSH, T4, T3, rT3) and thyroid antibodies

  • Stool analysis to investigate gut bacteria, fungi, parasites and digestive ability - 3 day one is best

  • SIBO breath test to identify small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

  • Genetic tests such as methylation genes, celiac gene, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, mould susceptibility

  • Neurotransmitters- serotonin, GABA, dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, glutamate, histamine

  • Liver detoxification pathways

  • Allergy tests to over 96+ foods and/environmental allergens

  • Tick borne disease viruses

  • Epstein-Barr virus

  • Autoimmune assessment

  • Environmental pollutants

  • Nutritional tests

How does it work?

From your intial session we can look into which tests are most useful to investigate your particular case. Not everybody needs testing. You are then sent a test kit directly from the lab to your home with the instructions and all the materials to do the test and send it back to the lab are included. The test may be urine collection, stool sample, spot pin prick blood test, saliva swab or you may have to go to a collection centre. The results are emailed to me and discussed with you at your following appointment.

How much do the tests cost?

They vary greatly depending on the test. Usually clients spend about $100-$500 depending on their situation. Unfortunately they are not covered by Medicare as they are specialised functional tests. If you consider the amount of money that could be spent going to different specialists and trying various treatments- identifying the cause will save you a lot of money and time (and your health) long term.

Book now for a naturopathic session and see if Functional Testing is the right next step for you, to investigate the root cause of your health.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the unceded lands where we work and live, the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples, acknowledge their deep connection to the lands and waters of Australia.