Functional Pathology
Functional pathology
What if standard bloods come back 'normal'?
By utilising targeted pathology testing I can get to the root cause of your health issues with my technique of thorough patient case taking – my initial appointments are a full hour. I use functional pathology testing diligently and pragmatically in combination with my own line of questioning of your health history.
An example of functional testing is Organic Acids Test (OAT) to discover blockages in your metabolic health, food allergy testing, spot dried urine hormonal testing or a saliva test for ‘stress hormone’ cortisol levels.
We can also get great information on pathogens from a GI360 test or Microbiome testing for an overall view of your gut health including bacteria, yeasts, mould and parasites.
Test options available to us:
- Hormone testing – reproductive, thyroid, stress
- Metabolic cycles – for energy, sleep
- Detoxification pathways
- Amino Acids
- Gut Health and the Microbiome
- Genetic Testing
- Neurotransmitter production and balance
- Food Allergy Testing
My three favourite tests:
1. Organic Acids Test
The Organic Acids Test (OAT) offers a comprehensive metabolic snapshot of a patient’s overall health with over 70 markers. It provides an accurate evaluation of intestinal yeast and bacteria. Abnormally high levels of these microorganisms can cause or worsen behavior disorders, hyperactivity, movement disorders, fatigue and immune function. Many people with chronic illnesses and neurological disorders often excrete several abnormal organic acids in their urine. The cause of these high levels could include oral antibiotic use, high sugar diets, immune deficiencies, acquired infections, as well as genetic factors.
2. Microbiome Testing
Your gut microbiome has the potential to influence your overall health. Understanding your gut microbiome provides important insights which can better inform your lifestyle choices.
Digestive function
Gut bacteria break down fibre – keeping gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea at bay.
Immunity
Gut bacteria assist in the preparation and training of the immune system, which can help fight gut inflammation.
Metabolism
Bacterial substances in the gut can affect metabolic functions, such as appetite and glucose regulation.
3. Saliva or Urine Stress and Hormone Testing
Hormones are crucial to a woman’s reproductive health. The main hormones affecting the menstrual cycle and fertility are produced by glands in the brain and by the ovaries. Those hormones regulate menstruation, fertility and sex drive (libido) – any one of which can be adversely affected if the production of these hormones goes out of balance. As most women approach mid-life, hormonal changes gradually cause reproductive organs to shut down eventually leading to menopause.
Hormone-related symptoms can occur from the age of when a menstrual cycle commences. Generally, hormonal issues is usually not a clear-cut case of one hormone level being abnormal, or even one hormone system. In fact, because of the role that hormones play as chemical messengers to wake up the genome in specific target tissues throughout the body, it makes sense that all hormone systems work in concert with each other to maintain a state of balance.
