Testing to Find the ‘Why’ Behind Your Health
Naturopathic functional testing is a way for naturopaths to assess how well your body is functioning on a deeper level. These tests help identify imbalances or dysfunctions in your body that might not be obvious through simple physical exams or symptoms. Rather than just looking at what’s wrong, functional testing helps us understand why something might be happening in the first place, so we can treat the root cause of the issue.
What is Functional Testing?
Functional tests are a set of lab tests or assessments used to measure how different systems in your body are working—like your digestion, hormones, immune system, or nutrient levels. These tests go beyond traditional medical testing, which often focuses on diagnosing diseases. Instead, functional tests aim to identify early signs of imbalance or areas where your body might not be functioning optimally, even if you’re not showing major symptoms yet.
Common Types of Functional Tests:
Blood Tests: These tests check for nutrient deficiencies (like vitamin D or iron), blood sugar imbalances, thyroid function, and markers of inflammation. It’s a way to see how your body is dealing with things like stress, diet, and other lifestyle factors.
Saliva or Urine Tests: These are often used to assess hormone levels (like cortisol or oestrogen) or detoxification functions. For example, testing your cortisol (a stress hormone) through saliva can help us understand how well your body is managing stress.
Food Sensitivity Tests: These tests identify foods that your body might not tolerate well, which can cause symptoms like bloating, headaches, or fatigue. These sensitivities can sometimes be missed with regular medical tests.
Gut Testing: Since digestion plays such a big role in overall health, testing the health of your gut (including looking for bacterial imbalances or parasites) is a common part of naturopathic functional testing. Issues like leaky gut or an imbalance of gut bacteria can cause a variety of symptoms that affect your entire body.
Genetic Testing: Some naturopaths use genetic testing to look at your DNA and identify how your body might respond to certain nutrients, toxins, or stress. This can help create a more personalised treatment plan.
Toxin Screening: Environmental toxins (like heavy metals or chemicals) can build up in your body over time and affect your health. These tests help identify any toxic load you might be carrying and guide detoxification strategies.
Why Do We Use Functional Testing?
Functional testing helps us see the bigger picture of your health. Instead of just addressing symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or digestive issues, we want to understand what’s happening inside your body on a deeper level.
For example:
Fatigue might be due to an imbalance in your thyroid hormones, poor digestion, or nutrient deficiencies. Functional testing helps pinpoint which of these could be the root cause.
Digestive issues might be connected to an imbalance in gut bacteria, food sensitivities, or even hidden inflammation that functional testing can uncover.
By understanding the underlying imbalances, naturopaths can recommend a personalised plan that may include dietary changes, supplements, herbs, or lifestyle changes designed to bring your body back into balance and support long term health.
How Does It Help You?
Personalised Treatment: Testing gives us the detailed information needed to create a treatment plan specifically for you—one that addresses your unique health challenges and goals.
Early Detection: Even if you’re not feeling sick, functional tests can detect small imbalances before they develop into bigger health problems, which can help prevent future illness.
Holistic Approach: Naturopathic testing looks at your overall health, considering all the systems in your body (like digestion, hormones, immune function), so we can treat you in a more balanced, holistic way.
Is It Right for You?
If you’re struggling with unexplained symptoms (like fatigue, digestive discomfort, skin issues, or mood swings) or if you’re simply looking to optimise your health, functional testing might provide helpful insights. It’s especially beneficial if you’ve been unable to find answers through traditional medical tests or treatments.
Naturopathic functional testing helps us uncover hidden imbalances or weaknesses in your body’s systems, so we can create a treatment plan that addresses the root causes of your health issues, rather than just masking symptoms. It’s all about finding what’s best for you, based on your individual health profile.
What Does it Cost?
The cost of naturopathic functional testing can vary depending on the specific tests required and the complexity of your health needs. Since each person’s health journey is unique, the type of tests you need will be tailored to address your individual concerns. Some tests may be more basic, while others may involve more in depth analysis.
We offer a range of testing options, from standard blood tests to more specialised tests like hormone panels, gut health assessments, food sensitivity testing, and detoxification screenings. During your consultation, we’ll discuss the most appropriate tests for your situation, and will provide a clear breakdown of the costs involved.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the tests we offer, please feel free to reach out. We’re here to help guide you in making informed decisions about your health and wellness.