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

Integrative Medicine for Hormonal Imbalance: 2026 Guide

What Is Integrative Medicine for Hormonal Imbalance?
How It Differs From Standard Care
- Signs That Show Up in Daily Life
Why Normal Blood Tests Do Not Always Tell the Full Story
Functional Medicine Hormone Testing: What Gets Measured and Why
The Root-Cause Approach to Hormone Health
How Stress and Cortisol Affect Your Hormones
Gut Health, the Microbiome and Hormone Regulation
Nutrition and Dietary Protocols That Support Hormonal Balance
Supplements, Herbal Support and What to Check First
Hormone-Disrupting Environmental Toxins in Everyday Life
The Mental Health and Neuro-Endocrine Connection
Conventional vs Integrative Treatment Models: What Each Offers
What Integrative Care Costs and How to Weigh the Value
Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: September 16, 2026

What Is Integrative Medicine for Hormonal Imbalance?

Integrative medicine for hormonal imbalance is an approach that combines standard medical care with a deeper look at the drivers behind your symptoms, including diet, stress, gut health, sleep and environment. At Mojo Klinik, we see people every week who have been told their blood tests are normal yet still feel unwell.

You are not imagining it.

Your GP has done their job. A standard panel checks whether your results fall inside a broad reference range. That range is built from a whole population, not from you. Two people can share the same thyroid number and feel completely different.

Think of it like a car engine light. The light stays off until something is badly wrong. Integrative care reads the engine itself, not just the warning light.

Below, we explain what integrative care actually involves, which tests matter, and how to tell whether it is right for you. This guide from Mojo Klinik covers the practical side: what gets measured, what changes, and what it costs in time and effort. This information is general and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

How It Differs From Standard Care

Standard care treats the diagnosed condition. Integrative care asks what produced it.

If your thyroid is flagged, you may be offered replacement therapy. That can be appropriate and necessary. Integrative care adds a second question: why did the thyroid struggle in the first place? Nutrient status, gut function, stress load and sleep all feed into hormone regulation.

The practical differences come down to a few things:

Appointment length. Standard consults are often ten to fifteen minutes. Integrative consults run much longer because the history matters.
Testing depth. Standard panels look at a handful of markers. Functional pathology looks at patterns over time.
Treatment scope. Standard care often starts with medication. Integrative care starts with lifestyle, nutrition and targeted support, and adds medication where it is genuinely indicated. We work in parallel with your treating doctor, never instead of them.
Follow-up. Integrative care expects to review, adjust and re-test.

We work in parallel with your treating doctor, never instead of them.

Signs That Show Up in Daily Life

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance rarely arrive as one clear signal. They arrive as a cluster.

You may notice:

Waking at 2am or 3am, wide awake, mind racing
Weight creeping up around the middle despite no change in eating
Fatigue that a good night’s sleep does not fix
Irritability, low mood or anxiety that feels out of character
Periods that are heavier, lighter, closer together or further apart
Hair thinning, dry skin, or feeling cold when others are comfortable
Brain fog that makes you reread the same email three times
Cravings for sugar or salt in the late afternoon

The moment you will recognise: standing in the kitchen at 9pm, exhausted, eating something you did not plan to eat, and wondering why you cannot just stop.

One symptom means little. A pattern of four or five, running for months, is worth investigating properly.

Why Normal Blood Tests Do Not Always Tell the Full Story

A normal result means your number sits inside a population range. It does not mean your hormones are working well for you.

Reference ranges are statistical. They are built by testing large groups and taking the middle band. That band includes people who are unwell, people on medication, and people at different life stages. It is a wide net.

There are three other issues worth knowing about.

First, timing. Many hormones move in a daily rhythm. A cortisol level taken at 9am says nothing about what your cortisol did at 3am. A single progesterone reading taken on the wrong day of your cycle is close to meaningless.

Second, binding. Most hormones travel attached to carrier proteins. What matters is the small free fraction your tissues can actually use. Standard panels often report total hormone only.

Third, adaptation. Your body will fight to keep blood levels stable even when tissue levels are not. The system compensates. Compensation hides the problem until it cannot any longer.

This is why we hear the same sentence so often: my tests are normal, so why do I feel like this? There is often a clinical explanation. It just needs the right questions and the right tests.

Functional Medicine Hormone Testing: What Gets Measured and Why

Functional medicine hormone testing measures hormones, their metabolites and the factors that regulate them, rather than a single snapshot of one or two markers. The aim is a pattern, not a number.

Doctor reviewing blood test results on a tablet with a patient to discuss a hormonal imbalance in a clinic.

Most clinics mention testing. Here is the roadmap we use.

Step 1: The history comes first

No test is ordered until we understand your timeline. When did symptoms start? What changed around then? What have you already had done? This step usually takes most of the first appointment. Testing without it is guesswork with a receipt.

Step 2: Choose two or three tests, not twelve

We start with the two or three tests most likely to explain your picture, then widen only if the first round does not answer the question.

Step 3: Collect the sample correctly

Timing and collection method decide whether a result means anything.

Blood panels. Taken fasting, in the morning, and where possible on a specific day of your cycle. Thyroid function including TSH, free T3, free T4 and thyroid antibodies. Also fasting insulin, HbA1c, full blood count, iron studies, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D and inflammatory markers.
Salivary cortisol. Collected at several set points across one day, often four. You chew a small swab for a couple of minutes at each point and store it in the tube provided. This shows the shape of your cortisol curve, not just one level.
Dried urine hormone testing. Often called a DUTCH test. You collect urine onto filter paper at set times across a day. It measures hormones and how your body breaks them down, including estrogen metabolites.
Stool testing. A single sample collected at home and returned by post. It looks at gut bacteria, digestion, inflammation and infections such as parasites or bacterial overgrowth.
Organic acids and micronutrient panels. Usually a first morning urine sample. These look at how your cells are producing energy and using nutrients.
Environmental and heavy metal testing. Blood or urine, chosen based on known mould, occupational or dental exposure.

Step 4: Read the results as a pattern

A single number rarely tells the story. We look at how markers move together. Low iron with a sluggish thyroid and a flat cortisol curve points somewhere different to high estrogen metabolites with gut inflammation.

Step 5: Turn results into a plan

Every test we order aims to change something. If a result would not alter what we recommend, we do not order it. That is the test of whether a panel is worth doing.

Step 6: Re-test at a set point

Hormones respond slowly. Most plans include a review point at around three months, with repeat testing only where it will guide the next step.

Pro TipIf you have had thyroid testing before, ask for the actual numbers, not just the word normal. A TSH of 4.5 and a TSH of 1.2 sit in different places within the same reference range, and they can feel very different. ::: (Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data)

Saliva and dried urine kits are sensitive to timing. Collecting a cortisol swab after coffee, or a urine card on the wrong day of your cycle, can waste the whole test. Follow the collection instructions exactly, and ask if anything is unclear before you start.

One more thing worth knowing. Functional pathology in Australia is generally not covered by Medicare, so these tests are usually paid for privately. We will always tell you what a test costs before you agree to it, and we will tell you if a cheaper standard test would answer the same question.

The Root-Cause Approach to Hormone Health

The root-cause approach asks one question repeatedly: what is driving this?

Hormones do not fail in isolation. They are downstream of everything else. A thyroid that is underperforming may be responding to an immune process, low iron, low selenium, chronic stress or a gut that is not absorbing nutrients. Treating the thyroid alone can leave the driver untouched.

In practice, we work through a sequence.

Gather the full history. Childhood, pregnancies, surgeries, medications, infections, major stressors, work patterns, sleep, training load and diet.
Map the timeline. When did each symptom start? What changed around then? A symptom that began after a viral illness tells a different story to one that crept in over five years.
Test the likely drivers. Not everything, just the ones the history points to.
Treat the driver first. Nutrition, sleep, stress regulation, gut repair, movement.
Re-test and adjust. Hormones respond slowly. Review points matter.
Add targeted support. Only where the basics have not been enough.

This is slower than reaching for a script. It may also be more likely to hold.

What Happens at My First Appointment? →

How Stress and Cortisol Affect Your Hormones

Cortisol is your main stress hormone, and it sits at the centre of hormone regulation. When cortisol stays high for long periods, the rest of the system adjusts around it.

The mechanism is straightforward. Your body treats sustained stress as an emergency. In an emergency, reproduction and long-term repair are not priorities. So the brain dials down the signals that drive thyroid and sex hormone production.

What that looks like in real life:

Periods become irregular or stop
Libido drops
Sleep fragments, particularly waking between 2am and 4am
Weight gathers around the abdomen
Anxiety rises while energy falls
Recovery from exercise takes longer

Cortisol also affects insulin. Higher cortisol pushes blood sugar up. Higher blood sugar pushes insulin up. Sustained insulin resistance then feeds back into estrogen dominance and progesterone balance, because fat tissue produces and stores hormones.

The term adrenal fatigue is widely used but is not a recognised medical diagnosis. What is measurable is a disrupted cortisol rhythm, and that is what we test and support.

Watch OutCutting calories hard while increasing training is one of the most common ways people make hormonal symptoms worse. Under-eating plus over-training raises cortisol and suppresses thyroid and sex hormones. If you are doing both and feeling worse, that is not a lack of discipline. It is physiology.

Gut Health, the Microbiome and Hormone Regulation

Your gut does more for your hormones than most people realise.

The gut microbiome is the community of bacteria living in your digestive tract. It helps decide how much of each hormone stays active in your body and how much is cleared.

Three specific jobs matter here.

Estrogen clearance. After estrogen has done its job, the liver packages it and sends it to the gut for removal. Certain gut bacteria produce an enzyme that unpacks it again, sending it back into circulation. When that happens too often, estrogen levels stay high. This is one route into estrogen dominance.

Nutrient absorption. Iron, zinc, selenium, iodine, B vitamins and magnesium are all needed to make and convert hormones. A gut that is inflamed or overgrown absorbs these poorly, no matter how good your diet looks on paper.

Inflammation. A gut that is constantly irritated leaks bacterial fragments into the bloodstream. The immune system responds, and that low-grade inflammation interferes with thyroid function and insulin signalling.

Common findings in people with persistent hormonal symptoms include small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, parasite infections, low stomach acid and undiagnosed coeliac disease. None of these show up on a standard hormone panel.

Nutrition and Dietary Protocols That Support Hormonal Balance

Food is a powerful lever you have, and it may work faster than most people expect.

There is no single hormone diet. What works depends on what is driving your symptoms. That said, several patterns show up repeatedly.

Protein at every meal. Aim for a palm-sized portion. Protein steadies blood sugar, which steadies insulin, which steadies the rest.

Fibre from plants. Aim for thirty different plant foods across a week, not thirty servings. Different plants feed different bacteria.

Healthy fats. Olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds and oily fish. Hormones are built from cholesterol and fat, so very low-fat diets can work against you.

Cruciferous vegetables. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts contain compounds that support estrogen metabolism.

Phytoestrogens. Found in flaxseed, soy and legumes. These are weak plant compounds that can gently occupy estrogen receptors. For some people they help. For others, particularly with certain thyroid conditions, they need care.

Reduce refined sugar and alcohol. Both load the liver, which is your main hormone processing plant.

Supplements, Herbal Support and What to Check First

A few things to check before you buy anything:

Has the nutrient actually been tested and found low?
Is there a diagnosed deficiency, or are you guessing?
Are you on any medication that could interact?
Is the product third-party tested for what is on the label?
Is there a review point, or is this indefinite?

Key TakeawayTesting before supplementing saves money and time. Two or three targeted tests will tell you more than a shelf full of products chosen from a podcast.

Hormone-Disrupting Environmental Toxins in Everyday Life

Plastics and food packaging. Some soften plastics contain phthalates. Heating food in plastic increases transfer.
Non-stick and stain-resistant coatings. Older formulations contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS.
Fragranced products. Air fresheners, scented candles and some personal care items can contain phthalates.
Pesticide residue. Washing produce well and choosing organic where practical reduces load.
Mould in the home. Water damage, poor ventilation and damp bedrooms are common and often missed.
Heavy metals. Found in some older dental work, certain fish, and some occupational settings.

Practical steps that cost little:

Store and reheat food in glass or stainless steel
Open windows daily, especially in bedrooms and bathrooms
Choose fragrance-free cleaning and personal care where you can
Filter drinking water if your area has older plumbing
Fix leaks promptly and treat damp properly

The Mental Health and Neuro-Endocrine Connection

Your brain and your hormones are in constant conversation.

Conventional vs Integrative Treatment Models: What Each Offers

Feature	Conventional Care	Integrative Care
Main question	What is the diagnosis?	What is driving this?
Appointment length	Short, often 10-15 minutes	Longer, in-depth history
Testing	Standard pathology panels	Standard plus functional pathology
Treatment start point	Medication or referral	Lifestyle, nutrition, then targeted support
Review cycle	Symptom based	Re-test and adjust over months
Best for	Acute problems, clear diagnoses	Persistent symptoms with normal results
Works with	Specialist referral	In parallel with your treating doctor

What Integrative Care Costs and How to Weigh the Value

This is the question most people ask last, and it is the one that decides whether they book.

The three cost buckets

Almost every integrative plan falls into three buckets.

How to weigh the value

Count the cost of the status quo. Years of appointments, tests, supplements bought on guesswork, and lost work days add up.

What the evidence says

A 2019 study published in JAMA Network Open followed more than 7,000 patients and found significantly better physical health and wellbeing at six months in functional medicine settings.

The honest limitations

Key TakeawayBefore you book anywhere, ask three questions. What does the first appointment include? Which tests are likely, and what do they cost? What is the review point? Clear answers to those three tell you more than any marketing page.

Mojo Klinik is led by two AHPRA-registered medical doctors with over 60 years of combined practice. Longer appointments are the point, not a side effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I naturally support my hormonal imbalance?

Start with the basics that influence hormone regulation: consistent sleep and wake times, regular movement, protein with each meal, and managing stress response. Reducing alcohol and highly processed food may assist. These steps support the body but they are not a substitute for proper investigation. If symptoms persist, functional medicine hormone testing may assist in showing what is driving the imbalance rather than guessing.

What are the common symptoms of hormonal imbalance?

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance vary widely. They include fatigue that sleep does not fix, mood changes, brain fog, irregular cycles, weight changes around the middle, poor sleep, low libido and temperature sensitivity. Because these overlap with thyroid function, cortisol levels and blood sugar issues, a single symptom rarely points to one cause. A structured assessment looks at the whole picture rather than one marker.

How does integrative medicine differ from standard care for hormones?

Standard care often tests a small panel and treats what falls outside the reference range. Integrative medicine for hormonal imbalance looks at the endocrine system more broadly, including thyroid function, cortisol levels, insulin resistance and micronutrient status. It uses longer consultations and root-cause analysis. Both models have a place, and integrative care works in parallel with your existing medical treatment, never instead of it.

Can integrative medicine help if my blood tests are normal?

Yes, this is one of the most common reasons people seek it out. Standard pathology uses broad reference ranges, so results can sit inside the range while you still feel unwell. Functional medicine hormone testing may include saliva or urine collection across a day, which shows patterns a single blood draw cannot. This can reveal shifts in cortisol levels or hormone regulation that a standard panel misses.

What does functional medicine hormone testing actually involve?

It usually combines blood, saliva and sometimes urine testing. Blood shows current levels of key hormones and thyroid function. Saliva collected at set times across a day shows the cortisol curve. Urine can show how hormones are metabolised. Your doctor interprets these together with your symptoms and history. Testing is chosen based on your story, not ordered as a fixed package.

Do I need to attend in person for every appointment?

Not always. Some consultations and results discussions can be done remotely, which suits people who travel for work. Testing itself usually requires an in-person visit for blood collection, and some appointments are best face to face. Your clinic can advise which parts of your care need attendance and which do not.

What Happens at My First Appointment?