Diagnostic Testing
As a patient, you will have access to a wide array of testing options.
A consultation is always recommended before deciding if a testing option is appropriate,
and to ascertain which test would be the most beneficial.
We recommend you do not order testing on-line, as (in our experience), you will not end up with the test most beneficial to you.
Genetic Testing
Understanding your own unique genetic make up - the ultimate in individualised health care. Your health and well-being are not at the mercy of your genetic makeup and you definitely have the power to influence your future health.
This new science is called Epigenetics which has proven that genes and DNA are not an absolute in determining our health. The big message of epigenetics is that our DNA is actually controlled by signals from outside the cell. Quite simply - we can profoundly alter our physical health because we can control the expression of our genes through the lifestyle and dietary choices that we make each day.
If we know our bodies unique genetic profile, we understand the pathways that are vulnerable and can implement changes to maintain health.
Comprehensive testing to understand all the major pathways that impact on health is a good option. However individual MTHFR testing is also available.
Understanding your own unique genetic make up - the ultimate in individualised health care. Your health and well-being are not at the mercy of your genetic makeup and you definitely have the power to influence your future health.
This new science is called Epigenetics which has proven that genes and DNA are not an absolute in determining our health. The big message of epigenetics is that our DNA is actually controlled by signals from outside the cell. Quite simply - we can profoundly alter our physical health because we can control the expression of our genes through the lifestyle and dietary choices that we make each day.
If we know our bodies unique genetic profile, we understand the pathways that are vulnerable and can implement changes to maintain health.
Comprehensive testing to understand all the major pathways that impact on health is a good option. However individual MTHFR testing is also available.
Gut Functional Testing
Gut Function Testing can involve a number of different tools and will vary with each individual. Options include:
Gut Function Testing can involve a number of different tools and will vary with each individual. Options include:
- Microbiome mapping - the latest and greatest in sequencing the DNA of our microbiome
- Comprehensive Stool Analysis (CSA) - this is a comprehensive stool analysis testing for bacterial, fungus and parasites.
- Food allergy/sensitivity/Intolerance testing
- SIBO testing
- Intestinal Permeability Testing
Thyroid Function Tests
Blood diagnostic tests to look at the thyroid hormones, including T3, T4, TSH, and antibodies.
The standard thyroid blood test measures TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), This has a wide margin of ‘normal' and interpretation often misses cases of subclinical thyroid problems. From a naturopathic perspective, many of these tests that fall within the "normal zone", actually fall outside of the "optimal zone". If you have had these tests done through your GP, we ask that you bring these results in with you to be looked at from a different perspective.
Comprehensive thyroid testing is available. This measures all the relevant thyroid markers to get a full and comprehensive view of thyroid function. Testing measures: TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, ratios, TPO Ab, ATG Ab, TSH Receptor Ab.
Blood diagnostic tests to look at the thyroid hormones, including T3, T4, TSH, and antibodies.
The standard thyroid blood test measures TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), This has a wide margin of ‘normal' and interpretation often misses cases of subclinical thyroid problems. From a naturopathic perspective, many of these tests that fall within the "normal zone", actually fall outside of the "optimal zone". If you have had these tests done through your GP, we ask that you bring these results in with you to be looked at from a different perspective.
Comprehensive thyroid testing is available. This measures all the relevant thyroid markers to get a full and comprehensive view of thyroid function. Testing measures: TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, ratios, TPO Ab, ATG Ab, TSH Receptor Ab.
Food Intolerance Testing
There are many options available for food and environmental testing. Your symptoms are the guide for determining the best type of testing for you. Options include IgG, IgA, IgE and complement.
An elimination diet may be recommended in order to identify problematic foods. During this period a number of foods are removed from the diet, and slowly re-introduced over a 6 week period.
There are many options available for food and environmental testing. Your symptoms are the guide for determining the best type of testing for you. Options include IgG, IgA, IgE and complement.
An elimination diet may be recommended in order to identify problematic foods. During this period a number of foods are removed from the diet, and slowly re-introduced over a 6 week period.
Hair Mineral Analysis
Testing for mineral deficiencies and heavy metal toxicity. Elemental Hair Analysis can detect whether there is an excess or deficiency of vital nutrient minerals such as calcium, potassium, zinc and iron. It can also identify over-exposure to heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic or aluminium and is therefore used for heavy metal testing. Elemental Hair Analysis is an invaluable screening tool in both every day and preventative health care.
Hair is a reliable indicator of the accumulation of minerals and metals within the tissue matrix, whereas blood levels tend to fluctuate substantially due to the blood's role as a transport medium for these nutrients. Your results are accompanied by a detailed diagnostic report. Results may take up to 4 weeks.
The hair sample is sent to a clinical laboratory in the US for testing, and includes the following:
Toxic Elements: Aluminium, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, Platinum, Thallium, Thorium, Uranium, Nickel, Silver, Tin, Titanium
Essential Elements: Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Chromium, Vanadium, Molybdenum, Boron, Iodine, Lithium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Strontium, Sulphur, Cobalt, Iron, Germanium, Rubidium, Zirdonium
Zinc taste tests can be done in clinic.
Testing for mineral deficiencies and heavy metal toxicity. Elemental Hair Analysis can detect whether there is an excess or deficiency of vital nutrient minerals such as calcium, potassium, zinc and iron. It can also identify over-exposure to heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic or aluminium and is therefore used for heavy metal testing. Elemental Hair Analysis is an invaluable screening tool in both every day and preventative health care.
Hair is a reliable indicator of the accumulation of minerals and metals within the tissue matrix, whereas blood levels tend to fluctuate substantially due to the blood's role as a transport medium for these nutrients. Your results are accompanied by a detailed diagnostic report. Results may take up to 4 weeks.
The hair sample is sent to a clinical laboratory in the US for testing, and includes the following:
Toxic Elements: Aluminium, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, Platinum, Thallium, Thorium, Uranium, Nickel, Silver, Tin, Titanium
Essential Elements: Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Chromium, Vanadium, Molybdenum, Boron, Iodine, Lithium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Strontium, Sulphur, Cobalt, Iron, Germanium, Rubidium, Zirdonium
Zinc taste tests can be done in clinic.
Blood Tests
Referrals to your local Diagnostic Lab. When required, you will be sent directly to the local Diagnostic lab with the appropriate blood test request forms (e.g. cholesterol profile, iron studies, complete blood cell count, thyroid tests, etc).
If many tests are necessary, you may be referred to your GP to request tests (as blood tests are fully funded with a GP referral).
Referrals to your local Diagnostic Lab. When required, you will be sent directly to the local Diagnostic lab with the appropriate blood test request forms (e.g. cholesterol profile, iron studies, complete blood cell count, thyroid tests, etc).
If many tests are necessary, you may be referred to your GP to request tests (as blood tests are fully funded with a GP referral).
Hormone Testing
This is a confusing and often misleading area. There are many options available on the market, and it takes skill and experience to determine the best test for your symptoms. We strongly recommend you do not order hormone testing on-line, as it is most likely you will not end up with the test you actually need.
Salivary testing to measure circulating hormone levels. In some cases we may order particular hormone tests to elicit more information. Saliva tests will give a good accurate indication of bioavailable hormone levels:
This is a confusing and often misleading area. There are many options available on the market, and it takes skill and experience to determine the best test for your symptoms. We strongly recommend you do not order hormone testing on-line, as it is most likely you will not end up with the test you actually need.
Salivary testing to measure circulating hormone levels. In some cases we may order particular hormone tests to elicit more information. Saliva tests will give a good accurate indication of bioavailable hormone levels:
- Adrenocortex Stress Profile – cortisol & DHEA (3 saliva samples, 8am, 4pm, 8pm)
- Sleep Hormone Cycle Saliva Screen – cortisol & melatonin (2 saliva samples, midnight, 2am)
- Dutch Test
Blood Pressure Monitoring
Zinc Tast Test: A simple test that is done in clinic
If you are looking for a specific type of testing, please enquire.
There are many more specialised tests available, including:
Iodine, Omega 3/Omega 6 Fatty Acids, Drinking Water Analysis, Detoxification Profiles, Enviromental Pollutants, Halides ...
