LEVEL 1 — Mandatory Core Tests
At BalanSoul, we understand how confusing it can feel when you’re told your tests are “normal” — yet you still don’t feel well. That’s why functional pathology testing is not about running every test at once.
It’s about finding your starting point — uncovering the key imbalances that are driving low mood, anxiety, fatigue, or cognitive fog.
Once we understand that foundation, we can target your treatment precisely, saving both time and money. Each test provides a new layer of insight into how your body and brain communicate — from nutrient balance and methylation to hormones, thyroid function, and gut metabolism.
Functional pathology gives us something most people never get in mental health care: a clear and measurable roadmap for restoring balance and long-term resilience.
Every level of testing — from the core Pfeiffer Nutrient Panel through to advanced integrative assessments like OATs, Thyroid, and Hormonal Rhythm Mapping — builds on the last, guiding you step by step toward recovery.
But we also recognise that comprehensive testing can feel overwhelming — in both scope and cost. That’s why we’ve created a progressive, level-based testing pathway, so you can start with the essentials and expand as needed. You’ll know exactly where you stand, what’s most important, and which next steps will bring the greatest results.
“Every symptom has a biochemical story. Our job is to help you uncover it — step by step.”
💡 Want to explore all individual tests in detail? See our Functional Testing Overview.
Why We Ask for Your GP Pathology Results
While our functional testing uncovers in-depth biochemical imbalances, your existing GP-ordered tests (such as Full Blood Count, TSH, CRP, ESR, B12, and more) provide crucial baseline data that adds context to your health story.
At BalanSoul, your GP-ordered results are the starting point for our functional testing pathway.
They help determine which Level 1–3 panels — or the Nutri-STAT comprehensive option — are most appropriate and prevent you from repeating tests unnecessarily.
By reviewing both recent and past pathology results (preferably from the last few years), I can:
For example:
This collaborative approach ensures we’re only testing what adds value, saving you time and money.
What to Provide
Important Note
Providing these results is not mandatory for booking a consultation or starting functional testing.
However, it is strongly recommended for a more thorough and cost-effective care plan.
If you need help requesting these results from your doctor, I’m here to guide you — and together we’ll make sure your functional testing builds on what’s already been done, not repeats it.
Level 1 focuses on the biochemical foundation that underpins every mental-health condition: methylation, oxidative stress, and nutrient balance.
Includes:
Level 1 answers: Is your brain chemistry built on a stable foundation?
💡 Early add-on: If significant digestive or gut-related symptoms are present (e.g. bloating, IBS, or chronic anxiety linked with digestion), we may add the MOAT (Microbial Organic Acids Test) here to identify bacterial or fungal imbalances that could be affecting mood or energy.
✅ Purpose: Establish the biochemical foundation of mood, methylation, and neurotransmitter balance.
🧪 Lab: NutriPath | RN Labs | AAL
💰 Approx cost: $450 – $500 combined
💰 Individual test costs:
• Pfeiffer / Walsh Protocol — $211 (NutriPath)
• Methylation Panel — $279 (RN Labs)
• Pyrrole Test — $80 (AAL)
⚠️ Note: All NutriPath blood collections attract a draw fee ($30 – $45 average per centre) plus postage and handling ($2 – $6 per kit).
Once your biochemical foundation is mapped, the next step is to uncover hidden functional and immune patterns — how stress, microbial activity, and food sensitivities may be influencing mood, energy, and inflammation.
Includes:
Level 2 answers: Are hidden stress, immune, or microbial imbalances shaping your mood chemistry?
💡 When and why this level matters:
Chronic stress, microbial by-products, or undiagnosed gluten intolerance can silently disrupt neurotransmitter function and energy metabolism.
Even without gut symptoms, these tests can reveal inflammatory or hormonal patterns that keep you stuck in fatigue, anxiety, or mood swings.
✅ Purpose: Identify functional stress, immune, and gut-brain factors that amplify mental-health symptoms.
🧪 Lab: RN Labs / NutriPath
💰 Approx cost: $650 – $850 combined
💰 Individual test costs:
• MTHFR Genotyping — $61 (NutriPath)
• Adrenocortex Cortisol / Hormone Rhythm — $118 – $263 (NutriPath – based on panel type)
• MOAT (Microbial Organic Acids Test) — $299 (RN Labs)
• Gluten Sensitivity Panel — $129 (blood-spot collection, self-administered) or $225 (serum test via pathology centre) — (Doctor’s Data / RN Labs)
⚠️ Note: All NutriPath blood collections attract a draw fee ($30 – $45 average per centre) plus postage and handling ($2 – $6 per kit).
Level 3 is designed for clients who want the full picture — an integrated map of metabolism, energy, and hormone pathways that drive chronic or treatment-resistant conditions.
This tier draws together mitochondrial, thyroid, and detox markers for a complete view of how body and brain chemistry interact.
Includes:
Level 3 answers: What’s happening at the crossroads of hormones, energy, and metabolism?
🍃 About OAT Testing:
OAT testing is one of the most revealing assessments for complex or treatment-resistant mood disorders. It provides a detailed picture of how metabolism, detoxification, and nutrient pathways influence mental health. If budget is limited, the smaller MOAT test (included in Level 2) is often sufficient as an initial screen — focusing on microbial activity and stress chemistry until foundational work is complete.
✅ Purpose: Provide a comprehensive, whole-system analysis of metabolic, hormonal, and detox pathways for complex presentations.
🧪 Lab: NutriPath / RN Labs / ARL
💰 Approx cost: $500 – $800 combined
💰 Individual test costs:
• Organic Acids Test (OATs) — $379 (RN Labs)
• Amino Acid Profile — $301 (NutriPath)
• Comprehensive Thyroid Panel — $171 (NutriPath)
• Essential Fatty Acids Panel — $129 (RN Labs)
• HTMA — $129 (RN Labs)
⚠️ Note: All NutriPath blood collections attract a draw fee ($30 – $45 average per centre) plus postage and handling ($2 – $6 per kit).
If you’d like to combine several key tests into one streamlined package, the Nutri-STAT Comprehensive Panel is the most efficient and cost-effective option.
It captures the majority of BalanSoul’s Level 1–3 markers in a single collection — giving you a broad biochemical overview of mood, metabolism, hormones, and energy regulation at almost half the cost of ordering each panel separately.
Beyond neurotransmitters and nutrients, Nutri-STAT also measures metabolic and cardiovascular markers, including cholesterol fractions and lipid ratios.
These results help us understand how your physical health supports your mental health — because circulation, inflammation, and mood are deeply connected.
While cardiovascular markers aren’t part of BalanSoul’s formal Level 1–3 mental-health tiers, they form an important piece of the whole-body picture that guides our recommendations.
✅ Nutri-STAT Includes
From Level 1
• Pfeiffer / Walsh Protocol – (Vitamin D, Copper, Zinc, Cu:Zn ratio, Ceruloplasmin, Homocysteine)
From Level 2
• Organic Acids Test (OAT) – functional metabolic profile (mitochondria, detox, neurotransmitters, gut flora)
• Essential Fatty Acids Panel – omega-3:6 balance, inflammation, cognition
• Electrolyte & Liver Function Profiles
From Level 3
• Amino Acid Profile – neurotransmitter precursors & detox capacity
• Comprehensive Thyroid Panel (with antibodies & rT3) – energy, metabolism, cognition
• Extended Cardiovascular Profile – includes LDL sub-fractions and Apo ratios
💰 Price: $726 ⏳ Turnaround: ≈ 21 days 🧪 Specimen: Blood + Urine 🏥 Lab: NutriPath
🧬 Tests Not Included in Nutri-STAT (ordered separately)
Level 1: Methylation Panel (SAMe:SAH) | Pyrrole Test (HPL)
Level 2: MTHFR Genotyping (C677T / A1298C) | MOAT (Microbial Organic Acids Test – highly recommended for gut balance) | Gluten Sensitivity Panel (blood-spot or serum)
Level 3: Adrenocortex Cortisol / Hormone Rhythm (saliva) | HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis)
These additional panels allow us to build a complete functional baseline — connecting neurotransmitter, hormonal, and stress-chemistry patterns for a personalised treatment plan.
At BalanSoul, we assess cardiovascular markers — especially cholesterol — as part of every comprehensive evaluation. Cholesterol plays a crucial role in biochemical balance and has meaningful links to mood regulation, stress resilience, and long-term wellbeing.
Nutri-STAT’s extended lipid and inflammation panel goes far beyond standard GP tests, offering deeper insight into metabolic and cardiovascular health. While these markers aren’t part of the Level 1–3 mental-health tiers, Nutri-STAT conveniently includes an advanced lipid panel, saving you the need for separate testing (since most GP pathology already includes basic cholesterol).
If you’d like to see exactly what’s measured — including the full list of lipid fractions, inflammatory markers, and related metabolic indicators — you can explore our Nutri-STAT Markers Tested page for a sample report and detailed breakdown.
People living with chronic mental-health conditions have a higher risk of heart disease and premature mortality, often linked to lowered motivation for diet and exercise. By checking cholesterol fractions early, we can build preventive strategies into your wellness plan — helping you live not only happier, but longer.
| Option | Tests Covered | Approx Cost | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Panels Level 1 to 3 | Pfeiffer Walsh Protocol, OAT, EFA, Amino Acids, Comprehensive Thyroid | $1,600 plus |
❌ Multiple kits ❌ Higher total cost ❌ Separate blood draws and shipping |
| Nutri STAT Panel | Includes most Level 1 and 2 markers plus key Level 3 tests including Thyroid, Amino Acids and Cardio for a broad functional overview of mood, energy and metabolic health | $726 |
✅ Single collection ✅ About 55 percent saving ✅ Integrated interpretation |
| Recommended Add Ons for Complete Picture | Methylation Panel SAMe SAH, Pyrrole Test HPL, MTHFR Genotyping C677T and A1298C, MOAT Microbial Organic Acids Test, Adrenocortex Cortisol Hormone Rhythm saliva, HTMA Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, Gluten Sensitivity Panel | $400 to $800 |
💠 Full functional baseline coverage 💠 Captures neurotransmitter, hormone and stress patterns not included in Nutri STAT |
The Nutri-STAT Panel is your most practical, cross-level testing bundle — providing a wide-angle view of nutrient, hormonal, and metabolic balance that underpins both physical and mental health.
It keeps testing efficient, integrated, and affordable — offering the clearest picture of your body’s biochemistry in one collection.
Curious to see exactly what the Nutri-STAT Panel measures?
Visit our Nutri-STAT Pathology Page to view all markers tested, sample reports, and collection details.
Visual Pathway Overview:
The diagram below brings together everything covered in Levels 1–3 and the Nutri-STAT bundle — showing how each stage of testing builds on the next to complete your health puzzle.
No. You can book a consultation at any time. However, starting with Level 1 tests ensures we have the essential data to tailor your care plan.
That’s okay. We can stage your testing progressively based on priority and budget. Level 1 is the foundation; Levels 2 and 3 can be added later.
Absolutely. However, providing these results helps us avoid unnecessary testing and gives a fuller picture of your health trends.
Level 1 tests generally total around $X. Level 2 and Level 3 tests vary depending on which ones are recommended. We’ll always discuss costs upfront.
1️⃣ Free 15-minute Discovery Call – we’ll review your symptoms and advise which testing level is appropriate.
2️⃣ Full Initial Consultation (90 minutes) – deep review of history, lab results, and nutritional status.
3️⃣ Personalised Plan – nutrient repletion, diet & lifestyle strategy, and coordination with your GP as needed.
There’s no pressure — just a clear, science-based first step toward balance.
💬 “Functional testing can feel overwhelming — we make it simple.
Start with the core Level 1 panels, or save time and cost with the Nutri-STAT Comprehensive Panel.
Either way, we’ll help you uncover what your body needs to heal.”
I’m the practitioner behind BalanSoul. In 15 minutes we’ll map your best next step what to test (and what not to), likely costs/timing, and how it links to your mental health goals.