Testing
At Mother Nature Heals, we believe in taking a gentle, holistic approach to your wellbeing. Our functional testing is designed to offer further insights into your health, helping us understand the underlying causes of any imbalances you may be experiencing. By assessing various systems of your body, these tests can provide clarity that guides our personalised treatment plans. Whether you’re seeking answers to persistent symptoms or aiming for optimal wellness, our functional testing lets us dive deeper into the root cause.
Have questions? See our FAQ or Contact Us!
We believe that understanding the deeper layers of your health is key to achieving long-lasting wellness. Functional testing allows us to look beyond surface symptoms and explore the root causes of imbalances. With the use of advanced, non-invasive tests, we can tailor our treatment to your unique needs, ensuring that each step of your journey toward healing is grounded in evidence and care.
Testing may be useful if:
You have ongoing symptoms with little relief
You struggle with recurring infections or flare-ups
Previous treatments haven’t provided lasting change
You experience persistent skin issues, such as acne or eczema
You experience persistent digestive issues, such as bloating
You feel you have reached a plateau in your progress
You want to optimise your overall health
In addition to the tests listed below, we can arrange or interpret a range of functional and pathology testing depending on your presentation, including SIBO breath testing, food reactivity testing, and nutrient or metabolic markers. Testing is selected thoughtfully to guide treatment and is not necessary for everyone. We’ll discuss whether testing is appropriate for you during your consultation and only recommend it when it meaningfully supports your health goals.
Types of Testing
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Standard pathology testing through a GP is often assessed against broad reference ranges and may only be flagged when results fall outside those limits. We take a more nuanced approach by reviewing your existing blood and pathology results using narrower, functional ranges that consider your life stage, symptoms, and overall health picture.
This allows us to identify trends or subclinical imbalances that may be contributing to ongoing health concerns, with a focus on supporting optimal function and vitality. We can also arrange pathology testing when appropriate, commonly assessing nutrient status, thyroid function, blood glucose regulation, and other key markers.
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Gut microbiome testing offers a detailed picture of digestive health by analysing a stool sample. This allows us to assess the balance of beneficial and opportunistic bacteria, identify inflammation or infection, and explore factors such as microbial imbalances or food-related reactions that may be contributing to symptoms.
Digestive concerns like bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, or irregular bowel habits are often signs of deeper gut dysfunction. This testing helps us understand what’s happening beneath the surface so we can address underlying causes rather than just managing symptoms. Results are used to guide personalised recommendations, which may include dietary changes, targeted supplements, and lifestyle support to restore gut function and resilience.
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The vaginal microbiome plays a key role in reproductive, urinary, and sexual health. Vaginal microbiome testing assesses levels of beneficial bacteria, opportunistic organisms, and fungal species, helping us understand how microbial imbalances may be contributing to ongoing symptoms.
This testing can be particularly helpful for those experiencing recurrent or chronic thrush, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, or bacterial vaginosis. By identifying imbalances at the microbial level, we can design more targeted and effective treatment approaches aimed at addressing root causes, restoring balance, and reducing recurrence.
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Hormone testing may involve blood testing or the Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH), depending on your presentation and goals. We can also advise on key timing for hormone testing through your GP. These tests provide insight into key hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol, as well as how these hormones are being metabolised.
Hormone testing can be helpful in the context of fertility concerns, menstrual irregularities, hormonal acne, perimenopause or menopause, and stress-related symptoms. Results allow us to better understand hormonal patterns and tailor treatment accordingly.
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Hair tissue mineral analysis is a non-invasive test that uses a small hair sample to assess mineral and trace element levels over time. It can also provide insight into patterns of mineral imbalance and potential exposure to heavy metals or environmental toxins.
This information helps us identify deficiencies, excesses, and imbalances that may be contributing to fatigue, stress, hormonal concerns, or other chronic symptoms. HTMA can be a useful tool for guiding more precise nutritional and mineral support.

