Functional Medicine (FX) is the field of Alternative Medicine that involves the use of specialised laboratory tests.
Functional tests give full and comprehensive information on a huge range of health issues allowing for a more accurate diagnosis and therefore a more targeted treatment.
It focuses on the root cause of disease and allows for a more holistic approach to regaining health.
It is a scientific approach looking at the individual biochemistry of your body along with diet and lifestyle considerations.
All Functional medicine tests require a consultation once the test results are through.
It is imperative that results are interpreted accurately and with relevance to you and your health situation.
Consultations can be done via skype, by phone, or in the clinic.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TESTS AVAILABLE
- Adrenal Cortex Stress Profile
- Complete Microbiome Mapping
- Comprehensive Thyroid Profile
- Hair Mineral Analysis
- MTHFR Gene Mutation
- SIBO Breath Test
- Organic Acids Profile
- Comprehensive Stools Analysis
- Dutch Hormone Test
Adrenal Cortex Stress Profile
The health of the adrenal glands is crucial for maintaining energy, controlling inflammation, healthy digestion, a strong immune system, and an overall healthy hormone balance. The adrenal glands also affect sleep patterns and the ability to have a healthy weight.
Stress both physical and emotional will impact healthy Adrenal function and can result in symptoms of extreme anxiety and burnout. If symptoms are prolonged then it can lead to depression and chronic fatigue.
Do you feel like your get up and go and got up and gone!
There can be many causes of fatigue but modern lifestyles are contributing to an increase in the prevalence of this growing health condition called Adrenal Fatigue.
This profile tests DHEA’s and Cortisol levels at 4 key times throughout the day.
It is a simple saliva test and taking samples throughout the day picks up the fluctuating output of adrenal hormones.
This test can also be done with the add on of secretory IgA
Secretory IgA is the key immune antibody that is found in the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Given that most of the body’s immune system resides in The GI Tract it is the first line of defence against toxins and pathogens.
Knowing your SigA levels is particularly useful if you seem to be unwell often and are susceptible to infections
Complete Microbiome Mapping
The Microbiome can hold the key to your overall health and wellbeing. More and research is showing the significance this unique environment has on all facets of health.
This test is currently the only one of its kind available in Australia and New Zealand.
What does it Test?
This gut microbiome analysis uses the latest technology to identify key gastrointestinal health markers including
Who Would Benefit From Microbiome Mapping?
This test gives a comprehensive overview of your gut microbiome and is particularly useful if you have digestive disorders, autoimmune conditions, or are interested in achieving better health.
Do you suffer from
- Gut discomfort
- Autoimmune disorders
- Depression or anxiety
- Skin problems and allergies
- Gastritis or have had food poisoning
- Irritable Bowel or inflammatory bowel disease
- Poor immune health
Being able to analyse the microbiome in this way can provide you with the missing piece of your health puzzle.
PCR gene technology used in this test means it can be done with just 1 stool sample.
Comprehensive Thyroid Profile
The Thyroid gland influences nearly every cell in your body although most of you probably relate it mainly to energy levels and controlling your metabolic rate which it certainly does do.
Due to limited and often misleading test results, Thyroid disorders remain one of the most under-diagnosed health conditions. As a result, many people are forced to live with the many symptoms of Thyroid dysfunction.
These symptoms may include
- Fatigue
- Low metabolic rate or extremely high metabolic rate
- Depression
- Joint stiffness
- Arthritis and inflammatory diseases
- Polymyalgia
- Cardiovascular disease including high cholesterol.
- Memory and mood disorders
- Dry skin and thinning hair
- Difficulty in losing weight or uncontrolled weight loss.
This Test gives a more complete picture of Thyroid function by including extra markers not usually tested for
These include
- TSH
- Free T3
- Free T4
- rT3 (reverse T3)
- Ratios of Thyroid Hormones
- Anti TPO Microsomal Antibodies
- Anti Thyroglobulin Antibodies
- TSH receptor Antibodies
The extra information gained by this test gives a much clearer picture of the functioning of this important gland. Relying on TSH and T4 alone can give such a false picture and lead to an incorrect diagnosis.
Hair Mineral Analysis
This test reports on 17 minerals and 18 toxic metals
These include: Boron, Calcium, Cobalt, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Germanium, Iodine, Lithium, Magnesium, Molybdenum, Manganese, Selenium, Strontium, Vanadium, Tungsten, and Zinc
Aluminium, Silver, Antimony, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cadmium, Mercury, Nickel, Lead, Palladium, Platinum, Arsenic, Thallium, Tin, Titanium, Uranium, Zirconium.
Hair Analysis is a reflection of how well the hair has been nourished with minerals or contaminated by toxins over an extended period of time. As the blood circulates the body it delivers nutrients and toxins to the hair which gives an indication of overall mineral and heavy metal exposures.
This is a great test to give an overall indication of nutrition and toxicity in your body. It’s also an easy test to do at home.
This test is accurate when no cosmetic product is in the hair at the time of taking the sample.
Contact me if you any questions relating to taking the hair sample.
(JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOC)
Trace element levels in hair accurately reflect community exposure to heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Post-mortem studies also show a close correlation between levels of hair and bone lead. Hair is a convenient method of analysis and exhibits powerful potential for gauging exposure to environmental pollutants.
SCIENCE 1978;202(22): 1271-1273
Studies from around the world show that hair concentration of elements such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury and can provide an accurate and relatively permanent record of exposure, there is a good correlation between hair and concentrations in internal organs. By using hair analysis of 14 different elements, one team of investigators could distinguish between children with and without learning disabilities with a 98% accuracy rate. Other
Relevant clinical applications of elemental hair analysis include mental disorders, cystic fibrosis, coeliac disease, growth retardation, and diabetes.
LANCET 1982;2:259-26
Blood levels of elements such as lead and mercury can only indicate the immediate or very recent status of heavy metal exposure. For this reason, a documented case of industrial arsenic contamination in Italy shows that hair is a more reliable indicator of exposure than blood. The many advantages of using hair for analysis of element concentrations in the body include its relative consistency, convenience, and long-range validity.
MTHFR Gene Mutation
This genetic variation makes it very difficult to absorb your B vitamins including folic acid. This can be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other health risks including elevated Homocysteine levels in the body.
Key nutrients such as folic acid are also extremely important in pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
If you have this variation you may suffer from some of the symptoms of B vitamin deficiency such as low energy, low mood, poor memory but taking some B vitamin supplements can actually make you feel worse.
Knowing whether you have this gene variation means you can choose the most appropriate supplementation your body needs and reduce your risks for a number of chronic diseases.
Note This gene is also tested in The Fitgenes Health and Wellbeing Profile.
SIBO Breath Test
SIBO stands for small intestine bacterial overgrowth.
The environment of the small intestine should have minimal levels of bacteria. The microvilli in the small intestine are where the most absorption takes place in the GI tract.
When bacteria levels are high in the small intestine it can cause a huge range of digestive symptoms and severely inhibit absorption of nutrients.
Symptoms caused by SIBO include
- Bloating,
- Stomach cramps,
- Upper abdominal pain,
- Diarrhoea,
- Constipation,
- Reflux and excessive wind.
Because of the poor absorption caused by SIBO, other symptoms and health conditions can occur including fatigue, skin problems, fibromyalgia, and even endometriosis.
Often those suffering from SIBO have been given a diagnosis of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and never really sort their digestive problems out.
Organic Acids Test
The Organic Acids profile is a great test when you feel generally unwell and are not sure where to start with your health journey.
It will give a general overview of body function by touching on a number of key areas vital to health.
This test measures urine metabolite markers which give information on
- Digestion
- Liver detox function
- Nutrition
- B vitamin Status
- Cellular energy production,
- Neurotransmitters
- Antioxidant status.
- Bacteria and yeast overgrowth
This Functional Medicine test can be particularly useful if you suffer from chemical sensitivities, sleep problems, depression, and weight problems.
This is a simple to perform test requiring just one urine sample.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis .level 4+ with PCR
Why use a CDSA test?
This test shows key enzymes and markers through the whole GI tract. It is invaluable when overall digestion has been a problem including pain, bloating, diarrhoea, reflux, and constipation. This test is really useful especially when traditional medical tests are normal but you know your digestion isn’t right.
This panel gives markers of:
Macroscopy and Microscopy
– Stool colour, form, mucous, red blood cells, and white, food remnants, starch, fat.
Digestive
–chymotrypsin, SCFA, Pancreatic elastase, meat, and vege fibres
Absorption
-Triglycerides, Long-chain fatty acids, cholesterol, Phospholipids
Inflammation
-transglutaminase IGA, eosinophil protein X, calprotectin, bile acids, lactoferrin.
Metabolic Markers
-Beneficial SCFA, ph ,butyrate,acetate, propionate,b-glucuronidase
Tumour and Ulcer Markers
-M2 pyruvate kinase, h pylori antigen
Bacteriology including yeasts.
-This test includes levels of beneficial bacteria including bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Yeasts including candida Albicans plus other species as well as potentially pathogenic bacteria such as yersinia, campylobacter, and klebsiella.
It also includes a panel of what antibiotic or natural supplement would be effective against the Bacteria and Yeasts
Parasitology
-Infectious organisms such as giardia, cryptosporidium, blastocysts hominins along with other parasite species are tested.
What is a PCR Technology?
PCR testing is using technology that can amplify even trace levels of DNA present. This can give an advantage when testing in a situation where the bacteria or H pylori for example may be missed, but fragments of DNA can be found.
This allows for a more accurate assessment of infection present even in a 1-day stool sample.
DUTCH ( Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones)
Precision Analytical USA offers a range exceptional of hormone tests depending on your needs.
Hormones change as we age but they are also susceptible to imbalances through nutrient deficiencies, stress, and also environmental toxicity. Symptoms come in many forms and can be anything from mood swings to headaches to loss of confidence. Because hormones control so much of how our body functions, imbalances can have an immense impact on your daily lives. Tests that analyse one or two hormones can be of little help when our hormones are much more complicated in their interactions than what a test like that would reveal.
The DUTCH tests are invaluable when you really want to know what is happening hormonally in your body.
- Do you suffer from PMT?
- Do you think you may be perimenopausal or menopausal but aren’t sure
- Are you having trouble conceiving?
- Do you feel out of sorts and have trouble coping?
- The Dutch hormonal profiles give a unique insight into this important interactive hormonal interplay that affects your body at every moment of every day.
DUTCH Complete
This tests the adrenal hormones (11), melatonin, creatine (4), progesterone (2) oestrogen metabolites and ratios(9), androgens (8), neurotransmitter metabolites(3), and nutritional organic acids(3) 41 markers in total.
DUTCH Plus (Complete and CAR)
This test includes all the hormones from The DUTCH complete along with CAR which is the Cortisol awakening response.
This gives extra information on adrenal function particularly the body’s immediate response to stress.
DUTCH Complete with Cycle Mapping
This test measures the hormones over an entire cycle which therefore tracks the fluctuations of the different hormones at different times of the month.
The hormone markers form the DUTCH complete test is included in this giving a comprehensive evaluation of your hormone status.
The cycle mapping is particularly useful for issues around irregular bleeding, infertility, and general issues around hormonal imbalance.
35 Hormones are tested along with their metabolites.