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Testing that looks further
The right testing, ordered and interpreted well, is often where things finally start to make sense.
At Seed & Flourish, I can arrange both standard pathology (comprehensive blood panels with a broader set of markers than a routine check) and specialised functional tests that look at your health through an entirely different lens.
Together, these tools move us from guesswork to a much clearer picture of what is actually going on.
Below you will find the testing options I work with most frequently, organised by area of concern.
How testing works
Testing at Seed & Flourish is always guided. Here's what the process looks like:
Book your Initial Consultation or Programme
Testing is arranged for you
Have your results consultation
Begin with a consultation where we take the time to understand your thorough health history, symptoms and goals, and identify which tests are genuinely useful for your situation. This ensures pre-testing preparation is explained and completed properly, results are interpreted in context to your health and circumstances.
Depending on what we discuss, testing may be arranged via a standard pathology referral, a kit sent to your home, or a blood draw at a local collection centre near you. Most testing can be completed anywhere across Australia and NZ.
Once results are available, a follow-up appointment is conducted to go through your findings in detail. You will leave with a clear explanation of what your results mean, and a personalised plan based on what we find.
Functional testing for Fertility
Fertility is influenced by far more than a single hormone panel. My approach to fertility testing looks at the full reproductive picture, where relevant for both partners. As we assess you as an individual and look at any relevant testing you may already have, these tests may not be relevant or required in your case, but is an example of what is available.
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Comprehensive Fertility Blood Panel - A detailed look at at reproductive hormones, thyroid function, and key nutrients that influence fertility. This may include FSH, LH, oestrogen, progesterone, AMH, prolactin, thyroid markers, and key micronutrients, tailored to your cycle and clinical picture. Available via GP referral or privately arranged.
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Dutch Complete Hormone test - The DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) uses urine and saliva samples collected at home to provide a detailed picture of your major sex hormones, how your body metabolises and clears them, adrenal and stress hormones, melatonin, neurotransmitter markers, and key nutrient insights. Particularly useful for fertility, hormonal imbalance, PMS, cycle irregularities, and mood concerns.
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Salivary Hormone Panel - Saliva-based hormone testing provides insight into sex hormones, the stress response, and adrenal function across the day. Useful for cycle-related concerns, mood, sleep, stress, and fertility support.
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Semen Analysis - A comprehensive assessment of sperm health, including count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and DNA fragmentation. Male factor fertility is a significant contributor in a large proportion of cases and is something I assess routinely in couples consultations.
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DNA GrowBaby - A genetic test for women planning to conceive or currently pregnant. GrowBaby looks at emerging nutritional and lifestyle genetic variants to help identify maternal health risks, allowing us to tailor diet, lifestyle, and supplementation in a way that may support better outcomes for both mother and baby.
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Hair Mineral Analysis - An at-home test assessing levels of key minerals and toxic metals. A useful adjunct to fertility screening, hormonal imbalance investigation, and general health assessment.
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Environmental Toxin Panel - Toxins and environmental pollutants can affect hormonal signalling, reproductive health, nutrient status and thyroid function. A toxin panel may be recommended in the context of fertility challenges, hormonal imbalance, known exposure or unexplained symptoms.
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Vaginal Microbiome Testing
Where fertility testing begins:
Testing is explored as part of your Fertility Initial Consultation, or as part of the ALIGN Preconception Care Program.
Testing for Thyroid Health
A standard TSH alone does not give the full picture of thyroid function. In my clinical work, I commonly look beyond TSH to understand what is actually happening with thyroid hormone production, conversion, and immune involvement.
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Comprehensive Thyroid Panel - A thorough assessment of thyroid health that may include TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO), Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb), and Thyroid Receptor Antibodies (TRAb). Each of these markers contributes a different piece of the picture, and without them, thyroid health can appear "normal" when there is in fact more to understand.
This is particularly relevant for women experiencing:
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Fatigue, brain fog, hair loss, weight gain or unexplained weight changes
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Irregular cycles or ovulation difficulties
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Hashimoto's thyroiditis or a family history of thyroid conditions
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Difficulty conceiving despite normal routine results
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Subclinical thyroid findings that have been dismissed
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Hair Mineral Analysis - An at-home test assessing important minerals and toxic metals. A useful adjunct to thyroid health investigations, hormones, fertility and general health assessment.
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Environmental Toxin Panel - Toxins and environmental pollutants can affect thyroid function, immune function, reproductive health and nutrient status.
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Blood and Nutrient Panels - A detailed look at at key nutrients and markers that can influence thyoid and autoimmune health. Available via GP referral or privately arranged.
The Thyroid Decoded Signature Programme
If thyroid health is your primary concern, the Thyroid Decoded Programme is a dedicated package that includes a comprehensive thyroid blood panel alongside a thorough initial naturopathic consultation to dig deeper and look for the missing pieces in your health story. This is the place to start if you want more than a TSH, interpreted by someone who understands the full picture.
More details on the Thyroid Decoded Programme are available here:
Testing for Hormone Health
Hormonal health is complex, and symptoms like irregular cycles, PMS, perimenopause, low mood, and skin concerns often reflect patterns that are best understood through a comprehensive lens rather than a single marker. Along with blood testing for important hormones, nutrients and key makers we can also offer:
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DUTCH Complete Hormone Test - The DUTCH test is the most insightful hormone panels I use in clinical practice. It provides insight into Estrogen and its metabolites, as well as progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol across the day, melatonin, and neurotransmitter markers.
It is particularly well-suited to concerns such as PMS, difficult periods, cycle irregularities, perimenopause, unexplained fatigue, mood concerns, and sleep disturbances. Results are returned with a detailed report that I review with you in a dedicated follow-up appointment.
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Salivary Hormone Panel - For those needing a more targeted look at sex hormones and the adrenal stress response, salivary testing offers useful data without the full depth of the DUTCH test. Well-suited to stress and adrenal assessment, and hormonal fluctuations.
The DUTCH Hormone Package
For those wanting a comprehensive hormone investigation paired with expert naturopathic guidance, the DUTCH Hormone Package includes an initial naturopathic consultation, the DUTCH Complete test, and a results review appointment. It is available online to clients across Australia and is one of the most thorough ways to begin understanding your hormonal health.
Learn more on our Services pages
Other relevant testing
In our experience, we find that health concerns are rarely down to one thing. The body is deeply interconnected, and it's often during a consultation that we start to understand what those connections are specifically for you. Sometimes the missing pieces lie somewhere less obvious which is why we may also explore:
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Digestive health - Gut function has a direct relationship with hormone metabolism, thyroid health, immunity, and fertility. Where relevant, I may use a comprehensive stool analysis, SIBO breath test, microbiome diversity assessment, or nutrient panels to understand what is happening beneath the surface.
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Nutrient status - Deficiencies in key nutrients including iron, B12, folate, vitamin D, zinc, iodine, and magnesium are common and clinically significant. These can be assessed through standard blood testing or, where a more detailed picture is needed, via functional nutrient panels.
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Environmental toxins & mould - Toxin and mycotoxin exposure can be a quiet contributor to hormonal disruption, fatigue, immune reactivity, and fertility challenges. Testing is available for those with relevant history or unexplained symptoms that have not responded to other approaches.
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Genetics & methylation - DNA health and nutrigenomic testing looks at how your unique genetic variations may influence areas such as methylation, detoxification, inflammation, and nutrient metabolism. Useful context for long-term health planning and targeted supplementation.
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Mood & nervous system - Neurotransmitter and organic acids testing can offer useful insight where mood, anxiety, sleep, or chronic stress are central concerns particularly when these symptoms are intertwined with hormonal or cycle-related changes.
If you are wondering whether a specific test is available or relevant to your situation, feel free to send an email or book a Strategy Call to discuss your case.
Ready to get a clear picture of your health?
Testing is most useful when it is applied in conjunction with your full health history, symptoms and goals rather than viewed in isolation. The best starting point will depend on your primary concern:
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Fertility or Preconception - Start with a Fertility Initial Consultation. Testing relevant to your situation is discussed and arranged from there.
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Thyroid concerns, or looking for a comprehensive Thyroid panel - Check out the Thyroid Decoded programme or book a Naturopathy Initial Consultation to begin.
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Hormone health, cycle concerns, stress and adrenal health - The DUTCH Hormone package is a comprehensive starting point. Alternatively book a Naturopathy Initial Consultation to discuss what is right for you.
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General health, gut health, or not sure where to begin - Book a Naturopathy Initial Consultation or a free 15min Strategy Call to discuss what's right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a consultation before I can access functional testing?
Yes. All practitioner-referred functional testing is arranged following an initial consultation. This is designed to ensure testing preparation is completed correctly and provide clinical context for accurate interpretation of your results. A return appointment is then scheduled to go through your results in detail and provide a clear plan.
What is the difference between standard blood tests and functional testing?
Both are valuable, and both have a place in our naturopathic clinic. Standard blood tests are an important clinical tool that measure basic markers of health including iron, cholesterol, blood sugars, kidney and liver function. We look at these standard test results through a more holistic lens, asking not just whether something is within range but whether it is optimal for you, and how it fits alongside everything else we know about your health. Functional testing goes a step further, using specialised assessments to look at how your body's systems are actually functioning. Rather than simply looking for what is wrong, they explore underlying patterns around hormone metabolism, gut health, stress response, nutrient status, and toxin exposure. These tests are not typically available through standard medical referral. In practice, I use both. Standard bloods are often the logical first step. Functional testing adds another layer when the picture is still incomplete.
Can I access functional testing if I live outside Brisbane?
Yes, most functional testing can be completed anywhere across Australia and New Zealand. At-home collection kits are posted directly to you, and blood draws are generally arranged at local collection centres.
How much does functional testing cost?
Testing costs vary depending on the panel selected. Costs are discussed at your initial consultation, so you have a clear picture before proceeding. Testing is recommended based on what is clinically relevant for your situation, not as a routine add-on.
Which test is right for me?
This depends on your health concerns and goals, and what is determined to be of value for you during your consultation. As a starting point, the packages below are a good guide. If thyroid health is your primary concern, the Thyroid Decoded includes comprehensive thyroid testing as part of the package. If hormones or cycle health are central, the DUTCH Hormone Package includes testing and full interpretation. For fertility, you can book a Fertility Initial Consultation or the ALIGN Preconception Care Program, where testing is tailored to your individual needs.
Is functional testing covered by Medicare or private health insurance?
Some standard pathology ordered through your GP may be covered by Medicare in Australia. Functional tests such as the DUTCH hormones, stool analysis, and sperm DNA Fragmentation are typically not Medicare-covered and are billed privately. Naturopathy has recently been approved for reinstatement with private health funds in Australia. Each fund is reintroducing coverage at its own pace, so the position varies depending on your provider. Please get in touch with us directly and we can let you know where things currently stand with your fund.
Not sure where to start?
Book your free 15-minute strategy call
If you're not sure where to start, or whether this is the right fit for you? Book a free Strategy Call. It is a relaxed conversation where we can talk through where you are at, what you have already tried, and what working together might look like.