Functional Medicine Testing
Dr Miranda and her team are experienced in reviewing and interpreting pathology results as part of an integrative approach to care. We encourage you to bring any recent blood tests or relevant investigations to your appointment.
In some cases, additional functional or integrative testing may be considered to support a broader understanding of nutritional, metabolic, or hormonal patterns. These tests are used to inform personalised, supportive care and are designed to complement standard medical investigations where appropriate.
Some tests are designed for patient convenience and may be completed at home, while others require blood collection at a pathology laboratory. Any testing options and requirements will be discussed with you during your consultation.
In certain situations, functional or integrative tests may be considered as part of a broader approach to understanding health and wellbeing. These tests are used to complement standard medical investigations and may provide additional information to support personalised, integrative care.
Functional testing may be used to:
-
Support a broader understanding of nutritional, metabolic, or hormonal patterns
-
Establish baseline information as part of an integrative care approach
-
Assist in reviewing changes over time
-
Support informed discussions about lifestyle, nutrition, and wellbeing
All testing is considered on an individual basis and used alongside medical assessment where appropriate.
Some common functional medicine tests that we may request:
- DUTCH Plus – Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones
- Stool Analysis – Microba
- Food Sensitivity Testing – Imupro
- Extensive Thyroid Hormone Profile
- MTHFR Gene Test
- Adrenal Hormone Profile
- Genetic Profiling
DUTCH Plus – Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones
The DUTCH Plus test is a functional hormone assessment that may be used as part of an integrative approach to understanding hormonal patterns in women and men.
The report provides information on hormone metabolites and patterns, including oestrogens, progesterone, androgens, melatonin, and markers related to the stress response. It also includes data that may contribute to a broader understanding of hormone metabolism pathways and selected nutritional markers.
Results are used to support informed discussions about hormonal wellbeing and are considered alongside clinical history and standard medical investigations where appropriate.
Food Sensitivity Testing – Imupro
What is the difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity?
Food allergies and food sensitivities involve different immune responses and levels of risk, although symptoms can sometimes overlap.
Food allergies involve an immune system reaction and can be serious or life-threatening. Symptoms often occur soon after exposure and may include swelling of the lips or throat, hives, breathing difficulties, vomiting, or, in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Food allergies require medical diagnosis and management.
Food sensitivities are generally non-life-threatening and may be associated with digestive or systemic discomfort. Symptoms can be varied and may appear hours or even days after eating a particular food, which can make them harder to identify. People may notice symptoms such as digestive discomfort, headaches, changes in energy or mood, or skin reactions.
Because symptoms can be delayed and non-specific, food sensitivities are often explored as part of a broader, integrative approach to understanding digestive health, diet patterns, and individual tolerance, alongside appropriate medical assessment.
Comprehensive Thyroid Check
Thyroid hormones play an important role in metabolism, energy regulation, and growth and development across the lifespan. Thyroid testing may be considered as part of an integrative approach to understanding thyroid-related health patterns.
A comprehensive thyroid assessment may include a broader range of markers than those typically reviewed in standard screening tests. These can include TSH, T3, T4, and in some cases additional markers, to support a more detailed understanding of thyroid hormone patterns alongside clinical history and medical assessment.
Reverse T3 (rT3)
Reverse T3 is an inactive form of T3 that may be measured in some integrative testing approaches. Levels can vary in different physiological states and are considered in context with other thyroid markers, health history, and current stressors.
Thyroid Antibodies
Thyroid antibody testing may be requested to explore whether autoimmune activity is present, such as in conditions including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease. These tests are used to inform further discussion with a medical practitioner where appropriate.
Urinary Iodine
Iodine is a nutrient involved in thyroid hormone production. In some cases, iodine status may be assessed as part of a broader nutritional review, particularly when considering overall thyroid wellbeing. Any assessment or supplementation is considered carefully and alongside medical advice, especially during pregnancy planning.
All thyroid testing is reviewed within the context of your symptoms, health history, and existing medical care, and is designed to complement — not replace — assessment by your GP or specialist.
MTHFR Gene Test
What is MTHFR?
MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) is an enzyme involved in folate metabolism and the regulation of homocysteine levels in the body. Variations in the MTHFR gene can influence how folate is processed and how homocysteine is metabolised.
Why test MTHFR?
MTHFR testing may be considered as part of an integrative assessment to better understand individual methylation and folate-related pathways. Elevated homocysteine levels can be influenced by a range of factors, including folate and vitamin B12 status, genetics, and overall health.
Results are interpreted in context and may support informed discussions around nutrition, supplementation, and overall wellbeing, alongside medical assessment where appropriate.
Genetic Profiling
Genetic profiling to support a broader understanding of individual health patterns
Genetic testing may contribute to informed discussions around:
– Nutritional needs and dietary considerations
– Lifestyle factors influencing wellbeing
– Stress response patterns
– Hormonal and metabolic pathways
– Individual variation in nutrient processing
Results are interpreted alongside health history, lifestyle factors, and medical care to support personalised, evidence-informed guidance where appropriate.
