Essential Health Check Tests:
(Please note, the links are included as resources, not professional endorsements or referral.) This said, many clients find they need to source their own testing as many doctors are resistant to non-medicare-covered tests. Please read each section and decide what is relevant for your situation.
Statement: I have no financial or other beneficial relationship with any providers or links below. I include specific links to indicate a style of service, but not necessarily endorsing the specific service linked to. A good doctor should discuss and order these for you.
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Undermethylation: Methylation is involved in life. If you are not methylating properly, your nutrients are not being converted to their active form, and can even be toxic in the body in their inactive form.
MTHFR testing: First test for MTHFR gene mutation (Generally full fee), histamine, and homocysteine; your doctor can organise this.
If you want a complete picture, you can go private genetic screening with a service like https://mthfrsupport.com.au/smart-dna-genomic-wellness-test-plus/ or https://www.naturalhealthgroup.com.au/product/advanced-methylation-test/
More information for [under]methylation: https://custommedicine.com.au/health-articles/mthfr-mutation/ AND https://custommedicine.com.au/health-articles/undermethylation/
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Thyroid function: The thyroid is a gland producing [primarily] T4 (mostly) and T3 (a little). T4 gets to the cells via blood, and is broken down within the cell (mitochondria) to T3. This is the spark plug of the cell. Without appropriate levels of T4, and T4 to T3 conversion within the cells, there’s no spark. The cell can only revert to a very inefficient version of metabolism, creating waste and disfunction at the same time. There are virtually no tissues in the body not under the direct influence of the thyroid, and most of them rely on thyroid hormone balance to function.
Thyroid testing: Your doctor should at the very least test for TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone), T4, T3, and Reverse T3; anything less is a useless measure. Alternatively, for the most complete picture, ask your doctor for the tests listed in this link – https://imedical.com.au/order/blood-tests/thyroid-private-blood-tests/thyroid-function-test-4
More information for thyroid function: https://custommedicine.com.au/health-articles/reverse-t3-dominance/ AND https://custommedicine.com.au/hypothyroidism/
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Vitamin and minerals: We all know what these are, right? Well, maybe not. Minerals are compounds we can not make, but need in varying amounts for the construction, maintenance and function of our cells. A mineral deficiency is not an incidental thing, and can lead to massive health issues. Vitamins are compounds that act as – or are – hormones! Yes, hormones. We’ve all experienced what hormones out of balance feels like, yeah?, if you are out of balance with your vitamins, and are feeling like ‘excrement’, this undersatanding might help.
Testing vitamin and mineral levels: First, talk to your doctor about ordering the tests listed on this link – https://imedical.com.au/order/vitamin-blood-check. If they are reluctant, you can also use this link to order the tests yourself.
More information really needs Google. This is a massive and deep rabbit hole, and you can get pulled into championing an undeserving specific nutrient very easily. Maybe the easiest way to think about vitamins and minerals, they are as critical to your functioning as lubricants and an electrical system is to your car. They come in lots of different forms, each is specific to their role, and you don’t function without them.
Especially for those with anxiety or depression, or who are neurodiverse/burned-out etc, a base-line of essential vitamins and minerals is critical.
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Hormones: Understanding what your hormones are doing is common sense. Hormones are essentially the catalysts of the body, used in – or regulating – pretty much all functions of the body, from how you process thoughts, to how you tan. It’s all homones – all of it. Digesting food? Hormones. Waking up? Hormones. Having an idea? Hormones. Seeing and comprehending this sentence? Hormones again. Now if they’re this useful and used in the body, doesn’t it make sense that an imbalance is going to throw everything off kilter?
Testing hormones: For all people, regardless of gender, having a base-line hormone assay every 5 years through your youth will offer a huge amount of personal context to test results in middle age; and identify issues long before they mature into full-blown problems.
Full panel hormone testing: First, talk to your doctor about ordering the tests listed on this link – https://imedical.com.au/order/blood-tests/hormone-testing-australia/hormone-12. If they are reluctant, you can also use this link to order the tests yourself. A quick note; these are just the most commonly problematic hormones we check for, but there are many more hormones in the body.
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Consider also any potential for heavy metal exposure. If possibly exposed, consider these tests: https://imedical.com.au/order/blood-tests/metals-private-blood-tests?product_id=128
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Finally, your doctor should be happy to order a full blood analysis which will help to complete the picture. It is recommended to do all tests at the same time for consistency in results.