How do I book a first appointment at Mojo Klinik?

All new-patient appointments at Mojo Klinik are booked online, through our booking system . Reception cannot take a new-patient booking by phone. The booking takes five steps: who is booking, the date, the doctor and time, your details, and confirmation. You choose in person at Neutral Bay, Zoom or phone. A card is added to confirm the booking. Nothing is charged upfront. Your confirmation email carries the link to the new-patient questionnaire. Sundays are not available. Existing patients book review appointments online too. If you would like to see the fees first, they are all on our consultation fees page.

Do I need a GP referral to see a doctor at Mojo Klinik?

No. You do not need a GP referral to book at Mojo Klinik. You can book a first appointment directly, online, with either Dr Maria Mackey or Dr Emmanuel Varipatis. If you have letters from your GP or your specialists, send them with your questionnaire before the appointment. They are read before you arrive, along with your recent results. That way the hour goes on your story, not on finding the paperwork. Everything to send, and when, is on what happens in your first appointment . When you are ready, book online .

Which doctor do I book with?

Both doctors at Mojo Klinik see patients with complex, long-standing health concerns. If you are unsure which doctor suits your concern, call reception on (02) 9133 8500 and the team will help you choose. As a guide, Dr Mackey is usually the first booking for hormones, perimenopause and menopause, thyroid, gut concerns, insulin resistance and burnout. Dr Varipatis is usually the first booking for chronic infections, post-viral fatigue and Long COVID, heavy metals, IV therapy, and integrative supportive care during cancer treatment. Both doctors see chronic fatigue. If you are having cancer treatment, book the one-hour New Patient Appointment with Dr Varipatis. Supportive care at Mojo Klinik runs in parallel with your oncology care, never instead of it. Each page on our conditions hub lists the ways to start. You can read more about Dr Maria Mackey and Dr Emmanuel Varipatis .

Can my first appointment be by telehealth?

Yes. A first appointment at Mojo Klinik can be by Zoom or phone, from anywhere in Australia. In person at Neutral Bay is strongly recommended for a first visit, because a new-patient appointment by telehealth carries no Medicare rebate. In person, it does. Once you have been seen in person, Zoom and phone follow-ups attract a Medicare rebate for the next 12 months, as long as you and your doctor are both in Australia. For patients who live some distance away, that means one trip to Neutral Bay, then reviews from home for the next 12 months. It is your responsibility to check you are eligible for a Medicare rebate before booking a telehealth appointment. IV appointments are in person only. Telehealth fees and rebate rules are on our consultation fees page, and directions are on find us .

Is Mojo Klinik taking new patients?

Yes. Both doctors at Mojo Klinik, Dr Maria Mackey and Dr Emmanuel Varipatis, are taking new patients. The live calendar in our online booking system shows current availability for each doctor, by day and by appointment type. New-patient appointments are booked online only. Choose the doctor first, then the date and the time that suit you.

How much does a first appointment cost?

First appointments at Mojo Klinik range from $240 to $650 in person, depending on the doctor, the appointment type and its length. Most new patients book the one-hour Mojo New Patient Appointment, which is $480 to $490 in person. Shorter first appointments, such as the 30-minute IV Therapy Initial Assessment and the Hormone and Gut Assessments, are available for some concerns. Most telehealth appointments, by Zoom or phone, have a higher fee than in person. All appointments are privately billed. Eligible appointments attract a Medicare rebate, explained below. Every appointment type and fee, for both doctors, is on our consultation fees page. When you are ready, book online .

How much does a follow-up appointment cost?

Follow-up appointments at Mojo Klinik range from $120 to $490 in person, depending on the doctor and the length of the appointment, from 15 minutes to one hour. Your doctor will advise which length suits what there is to review. Most telehealth follow-ups, by Zoom or phone, have a higher fee than in person. Eligible follow-ups attract a Medicare rebate, including by Zoom or phone once you have been seen in person in the last 12 months. Every appointment type and fee is on our consultation fees page.

Is there a Medicare rebate, do you bulk bill, and does private health insurance cover appointments?

Mojo Klinik does not bulk bill. Appointments are privately billed, and eligible appointments attract a Medicare rebate. The rebate depends on the length of the appointment, and whether it is in person, by Zoom or by phone. In person, most appointments attract a rebate of $45.05 to $128.35, depending on length. A new-patient appointment by telehealth carries no rebate. After an in-person visit, Zoom and phone follow-ups are rebated for 12 months, with both you and your doctor in Australia. The Heavy Metal Initial Appointment is privately billed, with no Medicare rebate. Phone and Zoom appointments cost the same, and they are not rebated the same. A phone appointment at Mojo Klinik is rebated at the level of a 15-minute Short Consultation, however long the appointment runs. An eligible Zoom appointment is rebated at the full level for its length. For that reason, we recommend Zoom over phone for telehealth appointments. For private health insurance, check with your fund. Whether your fund contributes to any part of your care depends on your fund and your level of cover. It helps to tell them the appointment type and whether it is in person or by telehealth. After you pay, the rebate is deposited into your nominated bank account. This needs Medicare Online set up. Allow up to 3 business days. Patients who have reached the Medicare Safety Net may receive more. Rebate amounts can change. Details are on our consultation fees page.

Why is the first appointment an hour, and why does it cost more than a standard GP visit?

The first appointment at Mojo Klinik runs for an hour because it covers your whole history, your previous results, and the thinking about what is driving your symptoms. The fee reflects all of the doctor’s time on your care, before, during and after the hour in the room. That time includes reading your questionnaire and results before you arrive, the consultation itself, and the documentation that follows, such as pathology requests and referrals. Dr Maria Mackey puts it this way: “Most people have left it a lifetime to see someone about their health vs an illness. An hour is a drop in the bucket compared to your life.” It is a different kind of appointment, not a longer version of the usual one. More on the hour is on what happens in your first appointment and our approach .

How much do tests cost, and does Medicare cover them?

It depends on which tests are recommended for you. Some tests are covered by Medicare. Others, including many functional and specialised tests, are not, and the laboratory bills them privately. That is normal for those tests, and not a billing error. Tests at Mojo Klinik are chosen for your specific picture, only where they are clinically indicated. There is no standard panel that every patient has. Tests are carried out by external laboratories, not at Mojo Klinik, and the cost of any privately billed test is explained before you agree to it. If you need a pathology form outside an appointment, a fee applies. The kinds of tests the doctors may use are described on our approach , and appointment fees are on our consultation fees page.

What is your cancellation policy?

You can cancel or reschedule a Mojo Klinik appointment free of charge with at least 48 hours’ notice. With less than 48 hours’ notice, or if you do not attend, 50% of the appointment fee is charged to the card added at booking. The card is not charged when you book. It is only used under this policy. You will receive an SMS reminder before your appointment. Reply “Yes” to confirm. An appointment that is not confirmed may be released. To cancel or reschedule, call reception on (02) 9133 8500 or email reception@mojoklinik.com. The full terms are on our consultation fees page and in our terms of use .

What other fees might apply?

Paperwork requested outside an appointment carries a fixed fee at Mojo Klinik. This covers scripts, pathology forms, referrals and letters, and medical records transfers. No scripts or paperwork are released until the related appointment is paid in full. Appointments that run over the scheduled time are charged pro rata. So is a very large volume of results to review, because the reading time adds to the consultation. There is no fee to book. The card added at booking is only charged under the cancellation policy . The complete fee list is on our consultation fees page.

What do I need to do before my first appointment?

Before your first Mojo Klinik appointment, complete the new-patient questionnaire and send your recent results. Both need to reach us at least 3 days before the appointment, so your doctor has time to read them. The questionnaire link arrives in your confirmation email. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Send with it: recent test results hospital discharge papers and specialist letters anything else you consider relevant You can reply to the confirmation email with your results attached. Before the day, you will receive an SMS reminder. Reply “Yes” to confirm, or the appointment may be released. The full checklist is on what happens in your first appointment .

Do I need to send all my previous test results?

Send your recent and relevant results, not everything you have ever had done. They are read before your Mojo Klinik appointment, so the hour goes on your story. A very large volume of results adds reading time, and that time is charged pro rata. If you are unsure what is relevant, send the most recent and let your doctor ask for more. Dr Maria Mackey explains why previous results matter, and why they are only the beginning: “Read the whole timeline, not just the last six months.” How to send them is on what happens in your first appointment .

Where is Mojo Klinik, and where do I park?

Mojo Klinik is at Suite 11, 40 Yeo Street, Neutral Bay NSW 2089. The entrance is not through the Yeo Street foyer. It is on the ground floor, at the corner of Barry Street and May Lane. The Barry Street Council Car Park is the closest option, with 2 hours free. There is metered street parking nearby, and an accessible metered bay directly at the Barry Street entrance. By bus, the clinic is about a 5-minute walk from the B-Line stop on Military Road. There are six steps with handrails at the entrance. A portable ramp is available, so call ahead on (02) 9133 8500 and reception will have it ready. The bathroom has one step and is not wheelchair accessible. Maps and more transport options are on find us .

What are your opening hours?

Mojo Klinik is open Monday 9:00am to 5:00pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00am to 6:00pm, Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm. The clinic is closed on weekends and NSW public holidays. New-patient appointments are booked online through our booking system . For general enquiries, call (02) 9133 8500 during opening hours. Outside those hours the phone goes to voicemail. In an emergency, call 000. Directions are on find us .

What happens in the first appointment?

Your first Mojo Klinik appointment is one hour with your doctor. It covers a comprehensive history, a review of your previous results, an examination where it is indicated, and the work of identifying the likely drivers behind your symptoms. Testing, where it is indicated, is organised after the appointment. Your plan is built at a follow-up, once those results are back. You will not leave with a complete diagnosis on day one. That is by design. Dr Maria Mackey describes the purpose of the hour: “Ask the questions and listen, listen, listen. Test before you treat.” More detail is on what happens in your first appointment . When you are ready, book online .

How long before I have a treatment plan?

Your treatment plan at Mojo Klinik is built at your follow-up appointment, once your test results are back. The first appointment gathers the history. The follow-up is where the findings are explained and the plan is set out. The follow-up is usually a Standard Consultation (30 minutes) or a Functional Consultation (45 minutes), depending on how much there is to review. Your doctor will advise which one suits your results. The timing depends on which tests are organised and how long each laboratory takes to report. Fees for both appointment types are on our consultation fees page. What happens in the first hour is on what happens in your first appointment .

Will I still see my own GP?

Yes. Keep your GP. Mojo Klinik runs in parallel with your GP and any specialists you see, not instead of them. You do not need a referral from your GP to book with us. Dr Maria Mackey puts it simply: “We love for your GP to remain yours. We want you to have the best medical care, your personal A team.” Mojo Klinik does not replace specialist care. Your GP continues their work, and we do ours: a full first hour, a wider history, and investigation matched to your picture. The two run in parallel. How our approach differs from standard care is set out on our approach .

Can I get a prescription, or a specific treatment, before I’ve been assessed?

No. At Mojo Klinik, every prescription and treatment is considered only after a full assessment, and only where it is clinically appropriate for you. We are not able to confirm a specific treatment or prescription before your appointment. If you are already on a regimen, set it out in your new-patient questionnaire. Your doctor reads it before you arrive, and there is time to go through it in detail at the appointment. Repeat scripts without a consultation are for existing patients only, and a fee applies. Mojo Klinik does not provide quick repeat scripts with no investigation behind them. To start, book a first appointment . What to prepare is on what happens in your first appointment .

My test results keep coming back normal, and I still don’t feel normal. Can Mojo Klinik help?

Most patients at Mojo Klinik arrive having been told their results are normal. A normal result rules some things out. It does not always explain how you feel. Our doctors look for the mechanism behind your symptoms, not another label for them. Dr Maria Mackey built the clinic for exactly this: “People whose test results keep coming back normal, while their life doesn’t feel normal, come to me at Mojo Klinik to find the biological reason their mojo went missing, and to get it back.” In practice, that means a full history, a review of what has already been tested, and testing beyond the standard panel where it is clinically indicated. Read more on our approach and the conditions we see . When you are ready, book online .

What conditions do Mojo Klinik’s doctors see?

Mojo Klinik’s doctors see patients with complex and long-standing health concerns. Eleven conditions have their own page: IBS and SIBO Chronic bloating and leaky gut Perimenopause and menopause Hormone imbalance Thyroid dysfunction and Hashimoto’s Chronic fatigue and ME/CFS Post-viral fatigue and Long COVID Adrenal fatigue, HPA dysfunction and burnout Chronic infections Heavy metal toxicity Insulin resistance and metabolic health The doctors also see a wider range of concerns, listed under “Other conditions we work with” on our conditions hub . Some conditions, including cancer, are seen for supportive care only, while conventional treatment continues. We do not offer integrative medicine as an alternative to conventional treatment for serious disease.

Yes. Both doctors at Mojo Klinik see men as well as women. Male hormones, metabolic health and insulin resistance, fatigue, gut concerns and chronic infections such as prostatitis are all part of the work. Men who look after everything except themselves, the car, the house, the business, the family, come to Mojo Klinik for a proper look under the bonnet, so they can keep doing the things they have been putting first. The first appointment is the same one-hour New Patient Appointment. Read more on hormone imbalance and insulin resistance , or book online .

Yes. Mojo Klinik’s doctors see children and teenagers for a range of concerns. Children are affected by many of the same conditions as adults, and many of the conditions on our conditions list are seen in children, such as gut concerns, fatigue, chronic infections and heavy metal exposure. The approach is the same as for adults: a full history, a review of previous results, and testing only where it is clinically indicated. If you are unsure which doctor suits your child’s concern, call reception on (02) 9133 8500. When you book online for a child or teenager, choose “for someone else” in the first step of our booking system .

How is Mojo Klinik different from seeing my GP?

A Mojo Klinik appointment is longer, starts from a wider history, and looks for the mechanism behind your symptoms. Testing goes beyond a standard panel where it is clinically indicated. It is a different kind of appointment, not a replacement for general practice. General practice does essential work, and your GP stays your GP. Dr Maria Mackey is herself a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP). What Mojo Klinik adds is time: a first appointment of a full hour, a review of everything already tested, and a plan built from your results at follow-up. Our approach page sets out the differences side by side, from appointment length to follow-up.

Are Mojo Klinik’s doctors medically qualified and registered?

Yes. Both doctors at Mojo Klinik are registered medical practitioners (general registration) with AHPRA, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Their registration can be checked on the public register of practitioners . Dr Maria Mackey , MBChB (Otago, 1993) FRACGP FAARM Dip Hom. AHPRA MED0000954798. In continuous Australian practice since 1994. Dr Emmanuel Varipatis , MBBS (UNSW, 1979) FACNEM FASLM. AHPRA MED0001051335. In private practice since 1984. Full qualifications, fellowships and training are on each doctor’s page.

What is integrative and functional medicine at Mojo Klinik?

At Mojo Klinik, integrative and functional medicine is doctor-led medicine that looks for the underlying mechanism behind your symptoms. Our doctors draw on four disciplines: functional, integrative, nutritional and environmental medicine. Conventional medicine is part of it, not opposed to it. Dr Maria Mackey puts the thinking simply: “Tired isn’t a diagnosis. It’s a symptom. And a symptom is a question, not an answer.” A label tells you what to call your problem. A mechanism tells you what to do about it. That idea runs through every appointment. The four disciplines, and how they compare with standard care, are on our approach .

What kinds of tests might the doctors use?

Mojo Klinik’s doctors use tests from four categories, and only where they are clinically indicated for you. There is no standard panel that every patient has. The categories are hormonal and metabolic, gut and microbiome, environmental and toxicology, and functional and nutrient testing. Examples include a full thyroid panel and fasting insulin, SIBO breath testing, provoked urine testing for heavy metals, and markers of nutrient status and inflammation. Which tests, if any, is decided at your appointment, from your history and your previous results. More on each category is on our approach . Breath testing is explained on IBS and SIBO , and provoked urine testing on heavy metal toxicity .

Do you offer IV therapy, and can I book one directly?

Yes, Mojo Klinik offers IV therapy as a medical service. There is no walk-in drip service. Every IV starts with an IV Therapy Initial Assessment with Dr Emmanuel Varipatis, 30 minutes, in person or by Zoom. The in-person assessment attracts a Medicare rebate. Fees are on our consultation fees page. The assessment is where your doctor decides whether IV therapy is clinically appropriate for you. If you have a complex medical history (such as cancer), book the one-hour New Patient Appointment with Dr Varipatis instead. If IV therapy is suitable, the treatment is prescribed for you and priced at the assessment. IV treatment carries no Medicare rebate. Dr Maria Mackey puts it plainly: “IVs have a time and a place. It isn’t a drip on demand.” IV therapy is doctor-directed and nurse-administered, in person only, at Neutral Bay. The pathway is explained on IV therapy . To start, book online .

Do you offer medically supervised weight management?

Yes. Mojo Klinik offers medically supervised weight management with Dr Emmanuel Varipatis. It starts with investigation. The drivers that affect weight, such as thyroid, hormones, metabolism, blood sugar, sleep and gut, are assessed before any plan is built. The plan runs under medical supervision from start to finish, with monthly review consultations, nutrition individualised to you, and prescription where it is clinically appropriate. It is not a questionnaire-and-script service. Appointments are billed per the consultation fee schedule, with no separate programme fee. Your GP stays your GP throughout. To start, book a New Patient Appointment with Dr Varipatis through our booking system . You can read more about Dr Emmanuel Varipatis .

Does Mojo Klinik offer cosmetic treatments?

Yes, through our sister clinic. Mojo Cosmetic Clinic is a doctor-led regenerative aesthetic medicine clinic at the same Neutral Bay address. Mojo Klinik itself is an integrative and functional medicine clinic, and the two are booked separately. Dr Maria Mackey, MBChB FRACGP FAARM Dip Hom, registered medical practitioner (general registration, AHPRA MED0000954798), is Head of Regenerative Cosmetics and performs every doctor-led treatment there. Doctor-led treatments, such as PRP, Aptos Thread Lifting and cosmetic injectables, start with a consultation with her, where she assesses whether a treatment is clinically appropriate for you. PRP is made from your own blood, drawn by Dr Mackey at the same appointment. Skin treatments, such as skin needling, clinical peels, SQT Bio-Microneedling and Buccal Sculpt and Release, are carried out by the clinic’s beauty therapist under clinical oversight. We also offer ONDA Body and Facial Contouring, a targeted treatment for stubborn fat reduction, cellulite smoothing and skin tightening. The two clinics can be used together or separately. Neither requires the other. The treatment menu, and how to book, are on the Mojo Cosmetic Clinic website .

Mojo Klinik / Conditions Hub

Functional Medicine for Gut Health Issues: What to Expect

What is functional medicine for gut health issues?
What is ruled out before any functional testing?
- Red flags that need urgent attention
Which tests help, and how strong is the evidence?
IBS management strategies that work alongside your GP
Low FODMAP diet guidance: doing it properly
What is included in a structured gut plan?
- The part most plans leave out: maintenance
- What a written plan looks like
When do you need a gastroenterologist?
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: September 29, 2026

What is functional medicine for gut health issues?

Functional medicine for gut health issues is a doctor-led approach that looks at your whole story, not just your bowel. It means a longer history, a look at how diet, sleep, stress, medicines and other conditions interact, and validated tests where they are likely to change what we do. At Mojo Klinik, functional medicine means exactly that. Two AHPRA-registered medical doctors run the clinic, with more than 60 years of combined practice between them.

You have probably already been told your tests are normal. That is a common and frustrating place to sit. Many people with gut symptoms have standard bloods and a colonoscopy that come back clear, yet they still feel unwell. Functional medicine for gut health issues starts from that point and asks a different question: what else is going on?

Healthdirect on irritable bowel syndrome notes IBS affects about 1 in 5 people, so you are far from alone.

A doctor in a bright consultation room sitting with a patient, taking notes on a clipboard

What is ruled out before any functional testing?

Before any advanced testing, we rule out the conditions that must not be missed. This is the same first step your GP takes, and it matters more than any stool panel.

Coeliac disease is the clearest example. Coeliac Australia reports it affects about 1 in 70 Australians, and around 80% remain undiagnosed. Testing only works if you are still eating gluten beforehand. If you have already cut it out, the result can look normal when it is not.

We also check for anaemia and iron deficiency, thyroid function, inflammatory markers, and bowel screening where it is due. Free bowel screening is available every two years for eligible people aged 45 to 74 through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. People aged 45 to 49 need to request their first kit.

Red flags that need urgent attention

Some symptoms need a doctor soon, not a gut plan. These include blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, symptoms that wake you at night, vomiting, trouble swallowing, iron deficiency, new symptoms after age 50, or a family history of bowel cancer or coeliac disease. If any of these apply to you, book with your GP promptly. A structured gut plan can wait. These signs cannot.

Which tests help, and how strong is the evidence?

Honesty matters here. Some tests change what we do. Others add cost without changing the plan.

Test	What it shows	Strength of evidence
Coeliac serology	Immune response to gluten	Strong, if eating gluten
Faecal calprotectin	Gut inflammation	Strong for IBD screening
SIBO breath test	Bacterial overgrowth	Mixed, often false results
Microbiome stool test	Bacterial balance	Limited, evidence scarce
IgG food panel	IgG antibodies to foods	Not recommended

The evidence is mixed for several popular tests. A 2024 clinical practice update in Neurogastroenterology and Motility, endorsed by European and American neurogastroenterology societies, found that the lactulose breath test has very low sensitivity and specificity for SIBO, and that the glucose breath test has a high false-positive rate in functional gut disorders, so results need careful interpretation. An international consensus statement in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that evidence supporting the clinical usefulness of microbiome testing is scarce, and that direct-to-consumer tests have no proven value in clinical practice. And ASCIA does not recommend IgG food antibody testing, which it describes as ineffective and unreliable. IgG to a food usually reflects exposure to that food, not harm from it.

Watch OutPaying for an IgG food panel often leads to a long list of “reactive” foods and an unnecessarily restricted diet. That can reduce nutrient intake without improving symptoms.

IBS management strategies that work alongside your GP

IBS management works best as a partnership. Your GP continues to lead your care. We work in parallel, never instead of them.

A common mistake is looking for a single answer. In practice, symptoms usually respond to several small changes layered together. Regular meals, adequate sleep, gentle movement, and treating stress as a real trigger all help. So does reviewing medicines and supplements that can loosen the bowel or cause bloating. If you have IBS, our gut assessment service looks at these contributors together rather than one at a time.

Why stress shows up in your gut

The gut and the brain talk constantly along the vagus nerve, a direct line running from the base of your brain to your digestive tract. This is the gut-brain axis. When your nervous system stays switched on, digestion slows or speeds up, gut sensitivity rises, and normal amounts of gas feel like a lot more. That is why two people can eat the same meal and only one feels bloated.

Think of it like a kitchen with several appliances on one power board. One appliance is fine. Switch them all on and the board trips. Gut symptoms often work the same way.

You may recognise this pattern: a stressful week, and your gut is the first thing to notice. That is not imagination. It is physiology.

What actually helps

Breathing exercises that slow your heart rate, done for a few minutes before meals, can settle the nervous system before food arrives. Regular sleep and wake times matter more than most people expect. Gentle movement, such as a daily walk, supports normal gut motility. Psychological approaches such as gut-directed hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy have the strongest evidence in IBS, and your GP can discuss referral options.

Caffeine, alcohol and eating late at night are common aggravators. So is eating while rushed or distracted. Small changes here often take pressure off everything else in the plan.

What Happens at My First Appointment? →

Medicines and supplements worth reviewing

Some common medicines can loosen the bowel or cause bloating. Iron tablets, some pain relievers, and certain antidepressants are examples. Do not stop anything on your own. Bring your full list to your appointment, including supplements, and we can review it together with your GP. Transitioning away from harsh additives often requires replacing them with clean label gut supplements that support digestive harmony without triggering further irritation.

Probiotics are often asked about. The evidence is mixed and strain-specific, so we treat them as a trial with a clear start and review date rather than a permanent addition.

Low FODMAP diet guidance: doing it properly

The low FODMAP diet is a structured elimination and reintroduction process, not a permanent way of eating. FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates that ferment in the gut and draw in water. For some people, they trigger bloating, wind and cramping.

Done properly, it has three phases: strict elimination for a few weeks, planned reintroduction to find your triggers, then personalisation. Monash University research showed IBS symptoms improve in about 3 out of 4 people who follow a low FODMAP diet, and Monash recommends following it with guidance from an experienced dietitian.

Pro TipKeep a simple symptom and food diary during reintroduction. Most people find two or three triggers, not twenty. That is a much easier diet to live with.

What is included in a structured gut plan?

A structured plan starts with a detailed history. We ask about your symptoms, your diet, your sleep, your stress, your medicines and any other conditions. Then we review the results you already have, so nothing is repeated unnecessarily.

The part most plans leave out: maintenance

Most gut plans stop when symptoms settle. That is where the harder question starts. How do you keep the gains without living on a restricted diet forever? Maintenance means reintroducing foods where possible, keeping the changes that helped, and reviewing at set intervals.

What a written plan looks like

Your plan is a short document, not a textbook. It lists your main drivers, the changes we agreed on, any tests ordered, and the date we will review. It also names the red flags that mean you contact a doctor sooner. You keep a copy, and so does your GP if you ask us to send one.

Key TakeawayThe strongest gut plans combine three things: a doctor who takes a full history, tests chosen for a reason, and changes you can actually sustain. The maintenance phase is where those changes become habits.

When do you need a gastroenterologist?

You need a gastroenterologist when symptoms suggest something structural or inflammatory, or when a procedure is required. That includes persistent bleeding, unexplained weight loss, suspected inflammatory bowel disease, or symptoms that do not respond to a well-run plan.

The strongest gut plans combine three things: a doctor who takes a full history, tests chosen for a reason, and changes you can actually sustain.

Conclusion

Gut symptoms that persist despite normal tests are common, and they are worth a proper look. If that sounds like you, a doctor-led assessment can help you understand what is driving your symptoms and what to do next. Mojo Klinik offers longer consultations, functional pathology that goes beyond standard panels, and care that works in parallel with your GP. Get started with Mojo Klinik and a plan built around your history, your results and your goals.

Reviewed by Dr Maria Mackey, MBChB, FRACGP, FAARM.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the functional medicine approach to gut health?

At Mojo Klinik, functional medicine means doctor-led care that looks at your full history, diet, sleep, stress and medicines. It uses validated tests to check for conditions like coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, supports a diagnosis of IBS once other causes are excluded, then builds a structured plan. It works in parallel with your GP or gastroenterologist, never instead of them.

Are microbiome stool tests reliable for diagnosis?

The evidence for microbiome stool tests is scarce. An international consensus statement in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that evidence supporting the clinical usefulness of microbiome testing is scarce. They may provide some information, but they are not a substitute for validated tests such as coeliac serology or faecal calprotectin.

How does diet affect chronic gut symptoms?

Diet can play a significant role in managing conditions like IBS. A low FODMAP diet, guided by a dietitian, improves symptoms in about 3 out of 4 people with IBS, according to Monash University research. Other food sensitivities may also contribute. A doctor can help identify which dietary changes are worth trying and which are not supported by evidence.

When should I see a gastroenterologist for gut issues?

If you have red flags such as blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, night symptoms, vomiting, trouble swallowing, iron deficiency, new symptoms after age 50, or a family history of bowel cancer, see a doctor promptly. These signs need investigation by a gastroenterologist. For persistent symptoms without red flags, a GP or functional medicine doctor can start the assessment.

What tests are used in functional medicine for digestion?

Common tests include coeliac serology, faecal calprotectin, complete blood count, iron studies, and breath tests for SIBO. However, SIBO breath tests often give false results. IgG food tests are not recommended by ASCIA. A doctor will choose tests based on your history and symptoms, and explain the strength of evidence for each.

What Happens at My First Appointment?