What is functional testing?
Functional testing goes beyond standard blood panels to explore how well body systems are functioning—before disease sets in. It’s about identifying imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal dysregulation, inflammation, toxicity, or gut dysfunction that underlie symptoms.
These tests help practitioners like myself uncover the “why” behind the “what”—why fatigue, pain, brain fog, skin issues, or immune dysfunction persist, even when standard tests are “normal”.
Common Types of Functional Tests in Australia
1. Gut microbiome tests and gastrointestinal health assessments
Used to assess:
- Gut microbiome balance
- Intestinal barrier integrity
- Digestive enzyme function
- Intestinal inflammation markers (e.g., calprotectin)
Pathogens (parasites, yeast, bacteria) - Intestinal motility
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
2. DUTCH Hormone Testing (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones)
Used to assess :
- Hormone health - an analysis of sex hormones & their metabolites
- An analysis of cortisol rhythm
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Oxidative stress
- Melatonin levels
Popular for patients with fatigue, hormonal concerns, anxiety, PMS, burnout, insomnia, and fertility issues.
3. Organic Acids Test (OAT)
Organic acids are products of the body’s metabolic pathways which provides insights into:
- Mitochondrial function or dysfunction
- Gut health
- Nutritional status
- Detoxification issues
- Oxidative stress eurotransmitter metabolites
Used widely in patients with chronic fatigue, mental health conditions , autism, ADHD, fibromyalgia, fatigue, metabolic conditions, weight concerns and neurological complaints.
4. Functional DNA testing / nutrigenomics
The use of functional DNA tests can help to provide personalised insights into diet, lifestyle and supplement requirements to optimise health and prevent disease.
Provides insights into:
- Biological processes
- Personalised nutrition recommendations
- Food interolerances or sensitivities (eg gluten and diary)
- Metabolic Health and Weight Management
- Exercise response and recovery
- Hormonal health
- Mental health
- Autoimmune risk
5. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)
Assesses:
- Mineral status (e.g., magnesium, zinc, calcium)
- Heavy metal exposure
- Nutrient ratios impacting thyroid and adrenal function
6. Food Sensitivity Testing (IgG / IgA Panels)
Often requested by patients with:
- IBS
- Migraines
- Skin conditions
- Chronic inflammation
How Functional Tests Enhance Patient Outcomes
- Validates symptoms that are often dismissed
- Personalises treatment protocols
- Increases patient compliance (“data-driven motivation”)
- Improves diagnostic accuracy in complex cases
Patients increasingly expect this level of insight, especially those managing chronic illness, autoimmune conditions, perimenopause, ADHD, or metabolic dysfunction.
What Is Biometric Tracking?
Biometric tracking involves using digital tools or wearables to measure health markers in real-time or over time. Unlike functional testing (point-in-time lab data), biometrics provide ongoing feedback loops.
Popular biometric data includes:
- Sleep quality, REM and deep sleep
- Heart rate variability (HRV)
- Resting heart rate
- Glucose levels via a continual glucose monitor (CGM)
- Respiratory rate
- Stress response
- Blood oxygen saturation
- Step count / movement patterns
- Activity levels & VO2 max
- Menstrual cycle data
- Body temperature
Examples of Biometric Tools
Biometric Data Adoption in Australia
- 1 in 3 Australians now use wearables, and many share their health data with practitioners (source).
- Growing use in corporate wellness, longevity clinics, and metabolic health programs
- Wearables are increasingly paired with practitioner dashboards to track progress and tweak plans
Combining Functional Testing + Biometrics = Precision Care
By combining functional test results (deep diagnostics) with biometric tracking (real-time data), practitioners can create truly integrative care models and provide greater insights to patients.
For example:
- Use CGM to observe post-meal blood glucose spikes → then order fasting insulin, glucose, HbA1c and HOMA-IR test.
- Track HRV recovery while supporting adrenals with adaptogens and assessing cortisol patterns via a DUTCH test or urinary Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) test.
- Use gut micorbiome analysis to correct dysbiosis → then monitor symptoms, sleep, and energy through wearable feedback.
- Use DNA Hormone testing + DUTCH complete → menstrual cycle tracking through the Mira app or Guava Health symptom tracking.
Use Cases: When to Use Functional Testing & Biometrics Together
References & Resources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics – Wearables & Health Literacy
- Co-Biome
- Guava Health
- HeartMath
- Microba
- OAIC – Australian Health Data & Privacy
- Precision Analytical – DUTCH Test
- RN Labs NutriPATH
- Vively CGM
