In Australia, the prevalence of autoimmune disease is increasing at a dramatic rate. Our practitioners continue to stay up to date with the growing body of research behind these conditions. If you are at risk of developing an autoimmune disease, have a family history of autoimmune conditions or are beginning to show signs and symptoms of autoimmunity, your practitioner may order one or more of the following tests:

• Antinuclear Antibody (ANA), C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
• Antiphospholipid antibodies and other specific autoantibodies
• Natural Killer Cells
• Homocysteine, Organic Acids Test (OATS), Coeliac profile
• Liver and kidney function tests
• Vitamin D
• Allergy testing and panels, zonulin, IgA, IgE, IgG
• Heavy metal screening

We treat an array of hormonal concerns/symptoms in clinic, including; PCOS, Endometriosis, hormonal-driven acne, fibroids, menstrual abnormalities, sub/infertility, peri-menopause, menopause and much more. When treating hormonal health conditions your practitioner may investigate your current hormone picture. This could be done through one or more of the following tests:

• Progesterone, oestrogen and prolactin
• Oestrogen metabolites
• DUTCH test including adrenal profile
• Thyroid profile (TSH, T3, T4), thyroid antibodies, reverse T3
• Neurotransmitter profile including Serotonin, GABA, Glutamate, Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Epinephrine
• Testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinising Hormone (LH)
• Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), DHEA or Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)
• Saliva Hormones - Testing female/ male sex hormones, & adrenal/cortisol hormones

Our genes are the blueprint for our bodies, containing all the information required for every single bodily process.

Utilising genetic testing can help our practitioners determine your specific nutritional, lifestyle and environmental requirements based on what is best for your genetic profile. This is useful for managing any current health concerns and for preventing future health issues.

​Our most commonly used genetic test is for MTHFR. MTHFR (Methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase) is an enzyme that converts the folate you eat into the active form that can then be used by your body. The MTHFR gene test determines if you have a mutation in this gene and therefore are not converting folate properly, affecting how much active folate you have available. Active folate is required for a huge range of functions in the body, so there are many signs and symptoms of folate deficiency. Please ask your practitioner for more information on this complex topic and testing.

​Other genetic testing we offer includes; Factor V Leiden mutation, alpha thalassaemia, prothrombin gene mutation, haemochromatosis, whole chromosome tests (known as molecular karyotyping), coeliac disease, HLA, DQ2 and DQ8 genes.

​Gene profile tests can include; 23andMe DNA genetic testing, Cardiac DNA profile, myDNA as well as NeuroGenomic, ImmunoGenomic, EstroGenomic, DetoxiGenomic and CardioGenomic profiles.

Addressing gut health will often be a first step in treating your health concerns as our digestive system influences our immune system, our hormonal health, our mental health and so much more. The following digestive function tests are some that may be used by your practitioner in order to investigate gut health:

• Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) - a full stool and digestive health analysis
• Intestinal Permeability (Leaky gut), uBiome
• Microbiome Mapping
• IgG Food Intolerance testing
• Candida and Candida antibodies
• 3 Day Parasitology stool samples
• Faecal calprotectin
• SIBO breath test
• Coeliac pathology screening

Stress and mental health concerns are a huge burden on our society and our health. We take mental health very seriously in our clinic. Our practitioners conduct various testing when necessary to help in creating their personalised treatment plans for individuals needing mental health support.

One of the most common tests we offer for mental health is the Urinary Kryptopyrrole Test. This urinary test looks for an excess of pyrroles in the urine, which indicates a condition called Pyroluria. Excess pyrroles interrupt vitamin B6 and zinc metabolism in the body, leading to behavioural symptoms and mood disorders. Some conditions which may warrant testing include depression, anxiety, addiction, ADHD, aggression, bipolar and hypersensitivity.

Other useful testing for stress & mental health includes;

• Neurotransmitter profile including Serotonin, GABA, Glutamate, Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Epinephrine.
• DUTCH test including adrenal profile
• Thyroid profile (TSH, T3, T4), thyroid antibodies, reverse T3
• General pathology & nutritional deficiency testing
• Hair Mineral Analysis
• Salivary cortisol and DHEAs

Adrenal health complaints may warrant in-depth investigations to identify the underlying cause of your health complaint. Some of the tests that our practitioners utilise to assess adrenal/cortisol health include:

• Salivary cortisol and DHEAs
• DUTCH test with adrenal profile
• Comprehensive Adrenal Investigation
• Adrenocortex hormone profile
• Full Thyroid Panel with thyroid antibodies & reverse T3

Our practitioners are partnered with Laverty and Douglass Hanly Moir pathology laboratories and are able to request any general pathology tests you may need, similar to what your GP can do. Please note however that any testing a Naturopath or Nutritionist requests is not covered by Medicare.

​General blood pathology tests can include a full blood count, glucose, insulin, iron studies, cholesterol, liver function tests, biochemistry and more. Your practitioner may also need to investigate specific nutritional deficiencies through blood testing. Examples include zinc, copper, folic acid, active B12, B6, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. These are done through a simple blood test at your local pathology lab.

Hair mineral analysis is a non-invasive way of assessing body chemistry and levels of heavy metals. Common metals include aluminium, cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic. Heavy metal levels within the body can be interpreted to reveal a tendency towards certain conditions and can be treated with Naturopathic medicine.

 A hair mineral analysis also detects deficiencies and excess levels of vital minerals including zinc, magnesium, copper, calcium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, sodium and potassium. Minerals are essential for growth, healing, and vitality. An imbalance in minerals can lead to conditions such as: heart disease, migraines/headaches, learning difficulties and hyperactivity in children., mood disorders, thyroid disorders and difficulty conceiving.  Any imbalances discovered will be supported and managed with a personalised treatment plan.

Iodine is an essential trace mineral found naturally in seafood, seaweed, eggs, iodised salt and the soil. Iodine is crucial for optimal thyroid health, and for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Sadly, many Australians (particularly women), are deficient in this mineral, which is why Iodine testing is becoming more common and vital in today's society. 

Your practitioner may test your urinary iodine levels if you are; preparing to conceive, pregnant, postnatal, have a thyroid condition or are showing signs of iodine deficiency. This test is non-invasive and done through a simple urine sample.

Epigenetics is the link between your genes and your environment. Epigenetic markers change how your genes are working without changing the DNA itself. 

Epigenetic markers are those handwritten notes that your body is constantly adding and removing from atop your DNA, in response to everything your body is going through.

TruAge looks at an epigenetic marker called Methylation. Their sophisticated algorithms identify how quickly the body is ageing at a biological level and can do so much more. Key advantages of Tru Age Testing include;

• Comprehensive analysis of methylation markers to learn about ageing and health.
• Provides information on physical age (epigenetic age) as opposed to chronological age, including steps on how to reduce overall ageing.
• Patient report continously updated to reflect new findings on genes and related health conditions.

Comprehensive fertility testing addresses all potential impediments to your fertility. Some of the tests that may be ordered by your practitioner include;

• Gene testing including MTHFR, read more under Genetic Testing
• Nutritional screening
• Preconception screenings
• Autoimmune screening and Organic Acids Test (OATs)
• CA 125 or ultrasound imaging
• Sperm analysis and DNA fragmentation
• “Dutch” Hormone profile
• Comprehensive Thyroid Panel