Functional Medicine Testing
Sometimes the missing piece is simply clearer information — further testing can bring that insight.
To test or not to test?
Working with your GP is one of the best ways to access a comprehensive set of blood tests.
GPs can order the full range of standard investigations (such as thyroid function, iron studies, blood sugar, cholesterol, liver and kidney health, hormone checks, and immune markers), many of which are covered under Medicare in Australia.
This makes testing more affordable and ensures results are documented in your medical file. Another benefit is that most GPs are happy to provide you with a copy of your results if you ask politely, so you can share them with your naturopath or keep them for your own records.
That said, there are a few things to keep in mind. Some GPs may only order tests they feel are clinically necessary, which means certain functional or in-depth hormone or nutrient markers may not be included. Medicare also won’t cover every test — advanced or specialised ones (like DUTCH, stool analysis, or extended nutrient panels) are usually paid privately.
For this reason, many people combine GP testing for the essentials with naturopathic functional testing for deeper insights. This blended approach gives the most complete picture while keeping costs and accessibility in balance.
Tests you may not get with your GP
DUTCH Test (urine hormones & metabolites)
This test measures sex hormones, adrenal hormones, and their metabolites using dried urine samples collected over a 24-hour period. It’s used to give a detailed picture of hormone balance, stress response, and how the body is metabolising and clearing hormones — making it especially useful in fertility, PCOS, perimenopause, and adrenal fatigue assessments.
Female Hormone Panel
This is a blood test that a includes an oestrogen, testosterone and progesterone test, as well as an LH and FSH test. These sex hormones (in conjunction with adrenal and thyroid hormones) exert powerful effects on the body. Knowing the function and levels of these hormones is a positive step in creating hormone balance and achieving wellbeing.
The CDSA test (Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis)
This is a detailed stool test that looks at digestion, absorption, gut bacteria, yeast, parasites, and inflammation markers. It’s often recommended for people with symptoms such as bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, reflux, food intolerances, or unexplained fatigue, since gut imbalances can drive not only digestive problems but also hormone issues, immune weakness, and skin flare-ups.
Day 3 Fertility Hormone Test
Testing on Day 2–4 of your cycle provides a baseline picture of your fertility hormones. This panel usually includes FSH, LH, and Estradiol, sometimes with AMH and Prolactin, to assess ovarian reserve, egg quality potential, and whether your hormones are in balance for healthy ovulation.
Comprehensive Thyroid Test
This advanced panel looks at thyroid function from multiple angles to give a complete picture of how well your thyroid is working. It includes:
Reverse T3 (rT3) & FT3:rT3 ratio – shows whether active thyroid hormone is being blocked, which can cause hypothyroid symptoms even when T3 and T4 look normal.
Thyroid Function Tests (TSH, FT4, FT3) – the key hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and energy.
Thyroid Antibodies (TPOAb, TGAb, TSI/TRAb) – screens for autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease that may be affecting thyroid health.
