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

What Is Advanced Functional Pathology Testing? A 2026 Guide

What Is Advanced Functional Pathology Testing?
Functional Pathology vs Standard Pathology: What Is the Difference?
How Root Cause Diagnostic Testing Works
What Advanced Functional Pathology Testing Can Assess
How to Prepare for Advanced Functional Pathology Testing
Understanding the Costs and Medicare Coverage
Integrating Functional Testing with Conventional Care
Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: September 11, 2026

What Is Advanced Functional Pathology Testing?

Advanced functional pathology testing goes past the standard blood panel. It uses detailed blood, saliva, urine and stool analysis to map how your systems are working, not just whether you have a disease. At Mojo Klinik, we use it for people who feel unwell despite having normal medical test results. (Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care)

You have probably had the usual bloods. Full blood count, thyroid panel, maybe iron and vitamin D. Everything sits inside the reference range. Your doctor says there is nothing wrong. You leave knowing something is off.

Think of it like a car service. A standard service checks the oil, the tyres and the warning lights. It tells you the car starts. It does not tell you why it is running rough on hills. Functional pathology looks at how the engine is actually performing under load.

Below, we explain what this testing involves, how it differs from standard pathology, what it can assess, and how to prepare.

Functional Pathology vs Standard Pathology: What Is the Difference?

Standard pathology is designed to detect disease. It asks one question: is this person sick? Reference ranges are built around that question, and they are wide. Functional pathology asks a different question: how well is this person functioning? That shift changes which markers get measured and how results are read.

A thyroid panel is a good example. A standard panel checks thyroid stimulating hormone. If that number sits inside range, the investigation usually stops. A functional approach may also look at free T3, free T4, reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies, because symptoms can persist while thyroid stimulating hormone looks fine.

The same logic applies across the body. Standard testing confirms or rules out a diagnosis. Functional testing looks for patterns that sit underneath the diagnostic threshold.

Feature	Standard Pathology	Functional Pathology
Main question	Is there disease?	How well is the body working?
Reference ranges	Wide, disease-based	Narrower, function-based
Typical markers	Full blood count, basic thyroid	Expanded panels, multiple sample types
Sample types	Mostly blood	Blood, saliva, urine, stool
Output	Diagnosis or all clear	Patterns and drivers
Follow-up	Treat or discharge	Targeted plan and retesting

Neither approach replaces the other. They answer different questions.

How Root Cause Diagnostic Testing Works

Root cause diagnostic testing works in three stages: a long consultation, a testing phase, and a plan built from your results. The aim is to find the driver behind your symptoms rather than manage the symptom itself.

Step 1: The In-Depth Consultation

The first appointment is long. We ask about your history, sleep, gut, cycle, stress load and energy across the day. The story usually points to where to test.

This is where most people notice the difference. A ten minute appointment cannot cover twenty years of symptoms.

Step 2: The Testing Phase

Next we choose the panels that match your story. You complete the samples, usually at home or at a collection centre. We read the results as a pattern, not as isolated numbers.

Step 3: Building Your Plan

Finally we build a plan. It may include nutrition changes, sleep and stress work, movement, and where appropriate, referral to your treating doctor for anything that needs medical management. We work in parallel with your GP, never instead of them.

What Advanced Functional Pathology Testing Can Assess

Advanced testing can assess several areas of function at once. The panels chosen depend on your symptoms, so no two people get an identical set of tests. Here is a plain guide to the main areas and the markers commonly measured.

Nutritional status

Standard bloods usually check a handful of nutrients. Functional panels go wider. Common markers include ferritin, iron studies, active vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc and copper. Some are measured in red blood cells, because red cell levels reflect what your body has stored over months. Low iron stores with normal haemoglobin is a pattern standard testing often misses.

Hormonal health

This is where sample type matters most. Blood is used for thyroid markers such as thyroid stimulating hormone, free T3, free T4, reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies. Saliva is often used for cortisol across a day, because cortisol follows a rhythm a single morning blood test cannot show. Urine collected over 24 hours is used for sex hormone metabolites. For women, results are read against the day of your cycle, because the same number means different things on day 3 and day 21.

Gut health and microbiome

Stool analysis can look at digestion and absorption, inflammation markers such as calprotectin, pancreatic elastase for enzyme output, secretory IgA for immune activity in the gut lining, and the balance of bacteria present. Some panels also include a breath test for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. This is where standard pathology is narrowest. A standard stool test usually looks for infection. A functional stool test looks at how the gut is working.

Metabolic and inflammatory markers

These show how your cells manage energy and how much inflammation is present. Common markers include fasting insulin, HbA1c, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine and a full lipid profile including particle size where available. Fasting insulin can sit inside range for years while quietly signalling that blood sugar handling is under strain.

Detoxification and oxidative stress pathways

These show how well your body clears what it does not need. Markers may include liver enzymes, glutathione status, and urine tests for how your body processes certain compounds. This area is the least standardised, so results are best read as part of a wider pattern. Heavy metal testing (blood or urine) is used where a specific exposure history points to it, such as occupational exposure or a specific dietary risk, rather than as a general screen. Mycotoxin testing looks at exposure biomarkers in blood or urine; evidence strength varies by specific compound, and interpretation should be tied to validated markers rather than a blanket result.

How the results are read

Results are read together. One marker on its own rarely tells the story. A pattern across several markers usually does. A low ferritin with a high CRP, for example, points somewhere different than a low ferritin on its own. That is the difference between a list of numbers and a working explanation.

Key TakeawayIf you have only ever had standard panels, the shift is this. Standard testing asks whether a marker is inside the reference range. Functional testing asks where in that range it sits, what it is doing alongside other markers, and what that pattern suggests about how your body is working.

How to Prepare for Advanced Functional Pathology Testing

Preparation matters more than most people expect. Poor preparation can distort a result and send the investigation in the wrong direction. Here is the detail. (Source: TGA’s regulatory guidelines for medical devices)

Why preparation changes your results

Think of a blood pressure reading taken straight after you ran for a bus. The number is real, yet it is not your resting number. The same logic applies to many functional markers. Cortisol, fasting insulin, inflammatory markers and sex hormones all shift with sleep, stress, food, alcohol and exercise in the days before collection. If you collect on a bad week, you get a picture of that week.

What We Treat → →

A common mistake is booking testing during a stressful period or straight after a holiday. Cortisol and blood sugar readings will reflect that period, not your normal baseline. If life is genuinely chaotic right now, it is often better to wait two weeks than to test and wonder.

Fasting

Some panels need fasting and some do not. Fasting usually means 8 to 16 hours with water only (healthdirect.gov.au). This matters for glucose, insulin, lipids and some gut markers. If you are unsure, ask before you collect. A non-fasting sample for a fasting test is a wasted test.

Medications and supplements

Some supplements can shift results. Biotin is a well known example and can interfere with several hormone and thyroid assays. Ask your practitioner which supplements to pause and for how long. Never stop a prescribed medicine without your doctor’s advice. If you are on thyroid medication, hormone therapy or blood sugar medication, tell us before collection so we can interpret the result correctly.

Alcohol, exercise and sleep

Avoid heavy alcohol and strenuous exercise for 24 hours before collection. Both can raise inflammatory markers and liver enzymes and shift cortisol. Keep your sleep as normal as possible in the three nights before testing, because a run of poor sleep changes several markers.

Cycle timing for women

Where you are in your menstrual cycle changes hormone results. Most sex hormone panels are collected on a specific day, often day 2 to 5 for baseline hormones or around day 21 for progesterone. If your cycle is irregular, note that and we will adjust the plan. Saliva cortisol testing is usually done on any day, yet the collection times across the day must be followed closely.

Stool and urine collection

Stool samples are collected on the days specified, kept cool, and returned promptly. Urine collections, particularly 24 hour ones, need every void included. Missing a sample changes the result. Read the instructions before you start.

The two week symptom diary

Write down your symptoms for the two weeks before testing. Note your energy, sleep, gut, mood and cycle where relevant. This lets us compare how you felt against what the results show. It is often the most useful document in the whole process.

A short checklist

Confirm which tests are being run and whether fasting is required
Ask which supplements to pause and for how long
Never stop a prescribed medicine without your doctor’s advice
Avoid heavy alcohol and strenuous exercise for 24 hours before collection
Note where you are in your menstrual cycle
Collect stool samples on the specified days and keep them cool
Complete every urine void if a 24 hour collection is requested
Keep a two week symptom diary

If you are unsure about any step, ask before you collect. A repeated test costs more time than a question.

Pro TipBook your collection for a week that looks like your normal life. If you are travelling, unwell or in the middle of a crisis at work, reschedule. The result will be more useful.

Understanding the Costs and Medicare Coverage

Costs vary, and we cannot give you a single figure. It depends on which panels are chosen, how many samples are needed, and whether any part is covered by Medicare.

Some tests ordered through a specialist referral may attract a Medicare rebate. Many functional panels do not, and are paid for privately. Private health insurance may cover part of the cost depending on your fund and level of cover.

The honest answer is that you need a quote before you commit. Ask for the itemised cost of each panel in writing, and ask which parts, if any, attract a rebate. We provide this at consultation.

For current Medicare arrangements, check the official source directly rather than relying on what you have heard: Services Australia Medicare information.

Integrating Functional Testing with Conventional Care

Functional testing sits alongside conventional care. It does not replace it, and it should not delay it.

If you have a red flag symptom, such as unexplained weight loss, bleeding, a new lump or severe pain, that needs urgent conventional assessment first. Functional testing is for the grey zone: people who are not sick enough for a diagnosis, yet not functioning well either.

The strongest results come when both approaches talk to each other. Your GP manages diagnosis, screening and prescription. We look at function, drivers and lifestyle. We work in parallel, and we send our findings to your treating doctor when you ask us to.

A review in JAMA Network Open followed more than 7,000 patients in functional medicine settings and found better physical health and wellbeing at six months. That is encouraging, though it does not tell us which individual test or change made the difference.

Watch OutDo not stop or delay conventional treatment to pursue functional testing. If you have a diagnosed condition, keep that management in place while we investigate alongside it.

If you have been told your tests are normal and you still do not feel right, that gap is worth investigating. At Mojo Klinik, two AHPRA-registered medical doctors with over 60 years of combined experience offer longer appointments, detailed functional pathology, and a plan built around your story. We look at the drivers behind hormonal imbalance, gut issues and ongoing fatigue, and we work in parallel with your existing care. What We Treat →

This article provides general information only. It is not a substitute for individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ‘functional pathology’ mean?

Functional pathology looks at how your body’s systems are working, rather than just checking for a disease. It uses tests on blood, saliva, urine, or stool to assess things like nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and gut microbiome health. The goal is to find the underlying drivers of symptoms like fatigue or brain fog, even when standard tests come back normal.

Are functional pathology tests covered by Medicare?

Most advanced functional pathology tests are not covered by Medicare. Standard tests ordered by a GP are usually covered, but the specialised tests we use at Mojo Klinik are generally paid for out of pocket. We provide a clear outline of any costs before you proceed, so you can make an informed decision.

How does functional pathology testing differ from standard pathology?

Standard pathology is designed to diagnose disease. It checks if your results fall within a broad ‘normal’ range. Functional pathology aims to optimise your health. It looks for subtle imbalances and trends within those ranges that can affect how you feel. It often uses a wider range of markers and different sample types to get a more detailed picture of your physiological function.

How do I interpret results from advanced functional pathology testing?

Your doctor interprets the results in the context of your full health story. A single number on a page doesn’t tell the whole story. We look at patterns and connections between different markers to understand what’s driving your symptoms. This is why a longer consultation is needed to explain the findings and create a targeted treatment plan that supports your body back to balance.

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