Functional Testing:
Unlocking the Root Causes of Your Health Concerns
At Pure Health Nutrition, we know that your symptoms are signals your body is sending – not random events. Functional testing gives us a window into your metabolism, gut, hormones, stress response and nutrient status. By looking deeper, we can pinpoint what’s driving your symptoms and create a truly personalised plan to restore balance, energy and wellbeing.
Functional testing we offer at Pure Health Nutrition:
Organic Acids Test (OAT)
The Organic Acids Test is a comprehensive urine test that looks at how well your body is producing energy, detoxifying and supporting gut and brain health.
What it tests for:
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Mitochondrial function
- Gut microbial imbalances
- Detoxification capacity
- Assessing methylation status
- Neurotransmitter metabolism
- Oxalates metabolism markers
Why it’s beneficial:
If you struggle with fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, digestive issues or poor recovery, this test helps us uncover hidden metabolic stress or nutrient gaps that blood tests often miss. Knowing exactly where your cells are struggling allows us to target support with specific nutrients, lifestyle strategies and gut-focused interventions – helping you feel more energetic, clear-headed and balanced.
Complete Microbiome Mapping Test
This advanced stool test maps the bacteria in your gut, measuring digestive function, inflammation and the health of your gut lining.
What it tests for:
- Levels of beneficial vs. harmful bacteria
- Digestive function and enzyme activity
- Inflammation in the gut
- Gut lining integrity
- Presence of parasites or pathogens
- Short-chain fatty acid production
Why its beneficial:
Your gut influences nearly every system in your body – digestion, immunity, hormones, metabolism and even mood. If you have bloating, irregular bowel habits, skin issues or food sensitivities, this test allows us to identify exactly what is driving these symptoms. We can then personalise gut-support strategies to restore balance, improve digestion, reduce inflammation and strengthen immunity.
Dutch Hormone Testing
The DUTCH test provides a detailed view of how your body produces and metabolises hormones, including sex hormones and stress hormones.
What it tests for:
- Oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone balance
- Hormone metabolism (including detox pathways)
- Cortisol and adrenal patterns
- Melatonin and sleep markers
Why it’s beneficial:
Hormone symptoms aren’t just about “high or low” levels – they’re about how your body processes them. If you struggle with heavy or painful periods, PMS, menopause symptoms, acne, weight changes or mood imbalances, this test allows us to tailor support specifically to your body’s hormone patterns. This leads to more effective symptom relief and long-term hormone health.
Cortisol Testing
Cortisol is your body’s main stress hormone. This test measures your cortisol levels at different times of the day to reveal your body’s unique stress response pattern.
What it tests for:
- Daily cortisol rhythm (overactive, underactive or dysregulated)
- Adrenal stress response
- Impact on sleep, energy, mood and recovery
Why it’s beneficial:
If you feel constantly tired, struggle to sleep, experience anxiety or “hit a wall” despite doing all the right things, this test can reveal whether your adrenal system is contributing. Understanding your cortisol pattern allows us to implement strategies that restore energy, improve sleep and support stress resilience – so you can stop just surviving and start thriving.
HTMA Testing (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis)
HTMA uses a small hair sample to show long-term mineral levels and potential heavy metal exposure.
What it tests for:
- Long-term mineral status (e.g., magnesium, zinc, calcium)
- Heavy metal exposure (mercury, lead, aluminium)
- Nervous system and adrenal function patterns
Why it’s beneficial:
Minerals are essential for energy, hormone balance, metabolism, nervous system function and detoxification. Many mineral imbalances or toxic exposures don’t show up in blood tests but can quietly contribute to fatigue, anxiety, poor recovery, hormonal issues or slow metabolism. This test allows us to correct these imbalances and optimise long-term resilience.
Vaginal Microbiome Testing
This test looks at the balance of bacteria in your vaginal environment, giving insight into reproductive and urogenital health.
What it tests for:
- Bacterial balance (beneficial vs. harmful)
- Inflammatory patterns
- Factors affecting fertility, immunity and vaginal health
Why it’s beneficial:
Recurring infections, irritation, or fertility challenges often stem from microbial imbalances rather than infection alone. By understanding your vaginal microbiome, we can tailor strategies to restore balance, reduce recurrence, support immunity, and enhance reproductive health — giving you lasting results instead of temporary fixes.
SIBO Testing (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
This breath test detects excess bacteria in the small intestine and how they may be affecting digestion.
What it tests for:
- Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine
- Gas patterns contributing to bloating, constipation or diarrhoea
- Malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies
Why it’s beneficial:
Many people with bloating, food sensitivities, fatigue or nutrient deficiencies have undiagnosed SIBO. By identifying it, we can treat the underlying cause of digestive discomfort, improve nutrient absorption and reduce bloating – helping you feel lighter, more comfortable and better nourished.