Functional tests investigate deeper into the mechanisms of your body such as how you are digesting your food, how well your liver detoxification pathways are working, or the burden on your body from environmental toxicities. These may include: Biocompatibility hair testing, DUTCH (hormone) testing and Hair Mineral Analysis.
Hair Mineral Tissue Analysis (HMTA)
Hair mineral tissue analysis measures the levels and comparative ratios of nutrient and toxic minerals found in hair, and is considered the most accurate way to test storage levels. Since the structure of hair remains unchanged, the minerals are fixed in the hair and levels do not significantly change once that portion of hair has grown. This test can detect an excess or deficiency of nutrient minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc or copper and also identify over exposure to toxic metals such as arsenic, aluminium, cadmium and mercury.
Many health conditions are aggravated by mineral imbalances and toxic metal excesses, including hormone issues, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, migraines, skin conditions and hyperactivity.
Biocompatibility Hair Test
Biocompatibility Hair Testing is an holistic, non-invasive test that has been delevoped and refined over more than 30 years by Australian naturopaths. The test requires only a small sample of hair and if you are unable to provide hair, saliva can be used. It helps to identify certain foods and household items that may unknowingly be impacting your immune system, meaning the cells cannot function optimally. This can lead to irritation, inflammation and eventually to symptoms such as:
Digestive issues (bloating, reflux, indigestion, IBS, constipation, diarrhoea
Skin issues (eg. Eczema, psoriosis, acne)
Headaches & migraines
Chronic sinus and hayfever
Asthma
Sleep disorders
Arthritis
This is not an allergy test and and so foods that have been medically diagnosed as causing anaphylaxis should not be introduced.
DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones)
DUTCH provides an extensive profile of the sex and adrenal steroidal hormones that your body is making, as well as excreting, by measuring your urine metabolites. These metabolites allow us to look deeper into how your hormones are behaving including how you are detoxifying them via the liver and what influence they maybe having on your symptoms. This simple at-home urine test can be especially useful when investigating the underlying cause of a complex hormone related issue such as PCOS or endometriosis as well as insomnia, fatigue, and digestive disturbances.
