Methylation Panel | BalanSoul Pathology Testing

Methylation Panel Testing: Unlocking Your Body’s Biochemical Blueprint

Methylation Panel Testing is a cornerstone assessment for anyone seeking precision insights into mood, cognitive health, detoxification, and chronic illness. This test is non-negotiable in a functional psychiatry work-up. It evaluates the delicate balance of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) — the Methylation Index — which directly reflects your body’s capacity to perform methylation reactions.

Not sure where this fits? See our Pathology Testing Packages & Pathways to choose your starting point → /pathology-testing-packages.

Why is this crucial? Because methylation impacts:

Neurotransmitter synthesis
DNA repair and gene expression
Detoxification of environmental toxins
Inflammation and immune modulation

When methylation is compromised, it’s not just about mood — it disrupts your entire biochemical resilience.

The Methylation Panel is a core, non-negotiable test at BalanSoul because it provides a direct, medication-independent insight into your body’s methylation capacity. The SAMe:SAH Ratio (Methylation Index) is essential for assessing undermethylation — a key driver of mood, cognitive, and detoxification dysfunctions.

While Whole Blood Histamine, tested in the Pfeiffer Protocol (another mandatory test in our workup), is a valuable methylation marker, it can often be unreliable in patients taking antipsychotics, antidepressants, or antihistamines, as these medications suppress histamine levels. That’s why the Methylation Panel becomes an essential backup tool, ensuring we never miss a methylation bottleneck when histamine readings are obscured.

Beyond methylation, the Pfeiffer Protocol also evaluates foundational nutrient imbalances in Zinc and Copper, which are critical for identifying other biotypes like Copper Overload — a common driver of mood instability, anxiety, and treatment-resistant symptoms.

Additionally, the Methylation Panel provides insight into where in the methylation cycle a bottleneck or imbalance may occur — whether the pathway is sluggish, blocked, or overactive — allowing us to craft targeted nutritional interventions to restore balance and efficiency.

For example:

Too slow or blocked, causing a buildup of substances that should have been converted (like homocysteine not converting back to methionine).
Going too fast, which depletes upstream nutrients (substrates) and forces excess into downstream pathways that may cause further imbalances (such as pushing homocysteine excessively into the transsulfuration pathway for glutathione production).

What the Methylation Panel Measures

Methylation is a biochemical process where a methyl group (CH3) is added to molecules like DNA, neurotransmitters, hormones, and toxins — influencing how they function. The Methylation Panel is a targeted plasma test that measures the precise concentrations of:

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)– the body’s primary methyl donor.
S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH)– a byproduct that inhibits methylation if not efficiently cleared.
Homocysteine (Hcy)– an intermediary metabolite linked to cardiovascular and neurological risks.
Methionine and Cystathionine– providing insights into methylation input and transsulfuration capacity.

The Methylation Index (SAMe:SAH ratio) is considered one of the most sensitive indicators of methylation capacity. A low ratio signifies impaired methylation, which is implicated in conditions such as:

Depression and anxiety disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cardiovascular and vascular diseases
Neurodegenerative conditions
Autoimmune dysfunction and detoxification impairments

Unlike histamine testing, the Methylation Panel offers a direct, medication-independent snapshot of your methylation efficiency. It maps the functional capacity of your methylation cycle, allowing for precise nutritional interventions like methyl-folate, B12, P-5-P, betaine, and magnesium.

Your Testing Journey: From Ordering to Results

STEP 1

Your Test Kit Arrives

Your kit is mailed after payment and includes all forms and instructions.

STEP 2

Collect Your Sample

At home (urine, saliva, or blood spot) follow kit instructions. Or at a collection centre bring your kit and request form.

Test instructions will confirm which collection method applies

STEP 3

Return Your Sample

Use the reply-paid envelope or courier satchel provided. Some centres or couriers send directly for you.

All kits include return packaging and instructions nothing extra to arrange.

STEP 4

Results Ready

Once your sample reaches the lab, testing begins. We’ll contact you to book your results consultation.

Some test results may be available within a week, while others (especially complex profiles) may take up to 3 weeks.

The Methylation Panel measures key metabolites within the methylation and transsulfuration pathways:

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)🧪 — The body’s primary methyl donor.
S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH)🧪 — A byproduct that inhibits methylation if not cleared efficiently. And a potent inhibitor of methylation; elevated levels indicate bottlenecks.
SAMe:SAH Ratio (Methylation Index)📊 — A sensitive indicator of methylation efficiency.
Homocysteine (Hcy)🧪 — Elevated levels suggest inefficient methylation recycling.
Methionine🧪 — An essential amino acid precursor for SAMe production.
Cystathionine🧪 — Indicates activity of the transsulfuration pathway for glutathione synthesis.
Cysteine🧪 — A downstream metabolite from Homocysteine, reflecting transsulfuration function and antioxidant capacity.

🩸EDTA Lavender Top Blood Collection Tube — for venous plasma draw.
🧴Transport Tube with Preservative (Acetic Acid 0.3mL) — for stabilizing plasma after centrifugation.
🧊Pre-frozen Ice Pack — must be frozen for a minimum of 6 hours prior to collection.
🧪Transfer Pipette — for transferring plasma into the Transport Tube.
👜Zip-lock Biohazard Bag with Absorbent Material — secures the sample during shipping.
📦Styrofoam Insulated Transport Container — maintains cold chain during transit.
✉️Courier Satchel with Consignment Label — Team Global Express (pre-paid overnight courier).
📝Requisition Form — must be fully completed before dispatch.
📑Instruction Sheet — step-by-step collection and shipping guide.

🏥 Additional Requirements:

A Pathology Collection Centre that can centrifuge samples.
Ensure you confirm with your collection centre prior to booking, as centrifugation on-site is mandatoryfor plasma separation.
Courier Pickup Booking— Team Global Express must be arranged for Monday collection only.

1️⃣ Prepare Your Kit & Area

📋Ensure you have received:

Requisition Form
🩸EDTA Lavender Top Tube
🧴Transport Tube with Preservative (0.3mL acetic acid)
❄️Ice Pack (freeze overnight)
🧪Transfer Pipette
👜Zip Lock Bag with Absorbent Material
📦Styrofoam Insulated Box
✉️Courier Satchel & Consignment Label
📑Instruction Sheet
- ❄️Place Ice Pack in the freezer a day prior (minimum 6 hours).
- 🖊️Complete the Requisition Form accurately before attending collection.

2️⃣ Pre-Collection Instructions

🕒2 Days Before: Cease supplements containing methionine, cysteine, SAMe.
🕒1 Day Before: Begin an overnight fast (8–12 hours). Water is allowed.
🥤Hydrate well (minimum 8 cups of water).
📅Confirm courier pickup booking with Team Global Express (131 843) for Monday

3️⃣ 🩺 Attend Blood Collection Centre

Take your entire kit including the frozen ice packto an authorised collection centre.
🧑‍⚕️Inform the technician it is a 3rd Party Methylation Plasma Test requiring centrifuge processing.
📄Provide your Requisition Form at reception.

4️⃣ 🧪 Blood Sample Collection & Processing

The phlebotomist will collect blood into the EDTA Lavender Tube.
🔄Invert the tube 10 times immediately after collection to mix.
🌀The sample must then be centrifuged for 20 minutes.
Using the provided Transfer Pipette, carefully draw up the plasma layer.
Transfer into the Transport Tube with Preservative, filling to the 3mL mark(do not overfill).
🔄Invert the Transport Tube 5 times to mix.
🏷️Label with Full Name, DOB, Date of Collection.

5️⃣ ❄️ Prepare for Shipping

Place the filled Transport Tube into the Zip Lock Bag with Absorbent Material.
Stack it on top of the frozen Ice Packinside the Styrofoam Box.
📦Insert the Styrofoam Box into the provided cardboard outer Kit Box.
📝Add your completed Requisition Form.
Seal everything inside the Courier Satcheland affix the Consignment Label.

6️⃣ 🚚 Courier Collection & Dispatch

Ensure you’re ready for pickup on Monday afternoon.
📞Inform Team Global Express that the package is a Category-B Biological Substance.
❄️Keep the entire package in your freezer until the courier arrives.
📮Do not leave unattended — hand it directly to the courier.

💡 Important Collection Facts

🕒Samples must be collected & dispatched only on Mondays.
🩺Confirm the collection centre has a centrifuge and knows this is a plasma separation
📝Requisition Form must be fully completed & legible.
❄️Samples not processed and frozen within 1 hour of collection will be rejected.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌Dispatching samples Tuesday–Friday (samples will spoil in transit).
❌Filling the Transport Tube beyond 3mL.
❌Forgetting to freeze the Ice Pack overnight.
❌Not verifying sample labelling (Name, DOB, Date).
❌Leaving samples unattended for courier pickup.

💡 “Methylation is your body’s master control switch. This panel reveals where your biochemistry is blocked, sluggish, or overstimulated — helping us restore balance with precision nutrient therapy”

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