Functional Gut Health Testing Melbourne
Olga Mandic | Bachelor of Science in Naturopathy & Qualified Naturopath in Melbourne’s Bayside
What Is Functional Gut Health Testing?
Functional gut health testing is an advanced diagnostic approach that goes beyond surface-level symptoms to uncover what’s really happening inside your digestive system.
By analysing key markers like gut bacteria, inflammation, digestion, and immune function, these tests help identify hidden imbalances that may be affecting your energy, mood, immunity, and overall wellbeing.
At My Natural Clinic, we use functional stool and microbiome testing to assess the health of your entire digestive ecosystem. This allows us to build personalised treatment plans that target the root causes, not just manage symptoms.
Why Is Gut Health So Important?
Your gut plays a central role in your overall health. It’s responsible for absorbing nutrients, eliminating waste, and supporting immune and mental function. When the gut is out of balance, due to dysbiosis (imbalanced bacteria), inflammation, infections, or poor digestion, it can impact everything from your skin to your mood.
A healthy gut helps regulate:
- – Nutrient absorption
- – Immune response
- – Hormonal balance
- – Mood and cognitive function
- – Detoxification and inflammation control
When your gut isn’t functioning well, it often shows up in symptoms throughout the body. That’s why understanding and restoring gut health is a core focus of our naturopathic care.
Book Your Naturopath Telehealth Consultation
Booking a consultation is the first step toward a clearer understanding of your health and a plan that’s completely tailored to you. Sessions are easy to schedule and available at times that suit your lifestyle, with flexible options to meet from the comfort of your own space.
What Can Gut Testing Reveal?
Functional gut testing provides valuable insights into a wide range of underlying health factors, including:
- Bacterial Imbalances – Detects overgrowths or deficiencies in key gut bacteria.
- Yeast & Fungal Overgrowth – Identifies organisms like Candida linked to bloating and fatigue.
- Parasites & Pathogens – Uncovers hidden infections that may drive chronic symptoms.
- Digestive Function – Assesses enzyme levels, fat absorption, and overall gut performance.
- Inflammation & Gut Lining Health – Highlights signs of leaky gut and inflammation.
- Gut Immune Response - Measures how your immune system is reacting in the gut.
- Toxins & By-Products – Identifies microbial toxins affecting energy and mood.
- Nutrient Absorption – Detects signs of poor uptake of key vitamins and minerals.
By identifying these issues, we can develop a targeted treatment plan that restores balance and supports lasting digestive health.
Who Is Functional Gut Testing For
This type of testing is ideal for people who:
- – Struggle with bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhoea
- – Have food intolerances or sensitivities
- – Experience fatigue, brain fog, or skin issues
- – Suspect they may have gut infections or Candida
- – Have been diagnosed with IBS, IBD, or SIBO
- – Want to optimise digestion, immunity, or mood
Whether you're dealing with ongoing symptoms or simply want a clearer picture of your gut health, this testing offers valuable insights.
Our Process
At My Natural Clinic, we make the Functional Gut Health Testing experience simple, supportive, and tailored to you. Here’s how we guide you through each step:
1. Consultation & Assessment
We begin with a one-on-one consultation to explore your symptoms, health history, and goals. This helps determine whether functional gut testing is appropriate and ensures your care is personalised from the very start.
2. Stool Sample Collection
You’ll receive a stool test kit with easy-to-follow instructions for collecting your sample at home. It’s hygienic, discreet, and can be posted directly to the lab. If needed, we’re happy to support you through the process.
3. Laboratory Testing & Interpretation
Your sample is analysed by a leading diagnostic lab to assess microbial balance, inflammation, digestive function, and more. Once results are ready, we interpret them through a naturopathic lens to uncover the deeper causes of your symptoms.
4. Personalised Wellness Plan
Based on your results, we create a customised treatment plan that may include dietary changes, gut-healing nutrients, lifestyle guidance, and natural therapies to rebalance your digestive system and support long-term health.
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Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that starting a new type of health testing can raise questions, especially when it comes to something as detailed and personal as Functional Gut Health Testing. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions our clients ask about gut testing and how it works at My Natural Clinic. If you’re still unsure about anything, we’re always here to help.
How do I know if Functional Gut Testing is right for me?
If you're experiencing ongoing digestive symptoms, food sensitivities, fatigue, or skin or mood issues, gut testing can help uncover the underlying cause. During your consultation, we’ll assess whether this type of testing suits your symptoms and health goals.
Do I need to come into the Bayside clinic to do the test?
No, this test is done entirely from home. We’ll send you a stool collection kit with full instructions, and your sample is mailed directly to the lab. If you're unsure about the process, we’re happy to guide you through it.
Can I book Functional Gut Testing without a consultation?
No, testing is only available through a naturopathic consultation. This ensures your results are interpreted holistically and that any treatment plan is safe, personalised, and aligned with your needs.
How long will it take to get my results back?
Most results are available within 2–3 weeks of the lab receiving your sample. Once they’re in, we’ll book a follow-up consultation to go through your results in detail.
What kinds of recommendations will I get from the test?
You’ll receive a tailored wellness plan which may include gut-healing nutrients, dietary changes, herbal antimicrobials, and lifestyle strategies, based on your test results and your overall health profile.
Is Functional Gut Testing covered by Medicare or private health?
The testing itself is not covered by Medicare. Some private health funds may provide rebates for the consultation depending on your extras cover. We can provide a receipt to assist with claims.
What other health issues can Functional Gut Testing help identify?
Gut testing can uncover issues contributing to bloating, IBS, skin conditions, low immunity, brain fog, fatigue, and even mood disorders. It reveals patterns that may not be visible through standard testing.
Meet Olga Mandic
Hello! I’m Olga Mandic, a naturopath, passionate wellness advocate, and founder of My Natural Clinic here in Melbourne’s Bayside. With a deep respect for both natural and evidence-based medicine, I help individuals and families reconnect with their health in a way that feels clear, empowering, and sustainable.
My approach to naturopathy is grounded in science, guided by compassion, and tailored to you. I believe in listening first, truly understanding your health history, lifestyle, and goals, and then designing a treatment plan that fits your unique needs, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
As a mother of three, I know firsthand how hard it can be to put your own health first, and how powerful it is when you do. I work with a wide range of clients, supporting everything from chronic fatigue, gut health, and hormonal imbalances, to everyday stress and preventative wellness, using nutrition, herbal medicine, and lifestyle support to bring balance back to the body.
Other Functional & Diagnostic Testing we offer
At My Natural Clinic, we offer a range of functional and diagnostic tests to uncover the root causes of your symptoms and guide your personalised wellness plan.
Functional Gut Health Testing
Evaluates gut bacteria, inflammation, digestion, and nutrient absorption.
Organic Acids Test (OAT)
A urine test that reveals metabolic function, gut overgrowth, detox status, and nutrient deficiencies.
Neurotransmitter Testing
Measures levels of brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine that affect mood, energy, and sleep.
DUTCH Hormone Test
Advanced analysis of adrenal and sex hormones and their metabolites (ideal for adrenal fatigue, PCOS, and oestrogen dominance).
Comprehensive Thyroid Testing
Includes TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies for a full picture of thyroid health.
Food Sensitivities & Allergy Testing
Identifies food or environmental triggers behind digestive issues, fatigue, or skin conditions.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
A blood test assessing glucose, electrolytes, kidney/liver function, and early signs of metabolic dysfunction.
Standard & Advanced Pathology Testing
Blood testing for nutrient levels, hormone balance, inflammation, and organ health—interpreted through a naturopathic lens.
