Optimisation: Advanced Tests for Bone Health
For many people, improving bone strength starts with the basics: regular exercise, good nutrition, and a few key supplements. But if you're doing all the “right things” and not seeing results — or you're facing more complex challenges — advanced testing can help uncover what’s going on beneath the surface.
These optional tests can identify hidden blocks such as inflammation, nutrient absorption issues, or genetic traits that might be holding you back. While not necessary for everyone, they can provide clarity and help you take smarter action.
🥛 1. Food Sensitivity & Allergy Testing
What it is:
These tests assess how your immune system responds to specific foods. They may detect immediate allergies (IgE), delayed sensitivities (IgG, IgA), or general inflammatory responses.
Why it matters:
Your immune system is designed to protect you from threats — not constantly react to what's on your plate. If you're regularly eating foods your body doesn’t tolerate well, even if symptoms are mild or hidden, it can lead to low-grade inflammation and poor nutrient absorption.
Think of your body like a petrol car. If you mix diesel into the tank, it might still run for a bit — but eventually, the engine will clog up and break down. Similarly, your body can only manage for so long before inflammation disrupts your ability to heal, repair, and build strong bone.
Quick facts:
Up to 20–30% of people have food sensitivities that don’t show up on standard allergy panels.
Common culprits include dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, and even certain fruits or vegetables.
Identifying trigger foods can reduce inflammation, improve gut function, and support nutrient absorption.
🧬 2. Genetic Testing (MTHFR & Methylation Pathways)
What it is:
A DNA-based test that examines how your body handles nutrients, detoxifies, processes hormones, and responds to stress. A key focus is methylation — a vital process involved in energy production, hormone metabolism, and bone remodeling.
Why it matters:
Some people have genetic variants, like MTHFR C677T or A1298C, that make it harder to activate certain B vitamins (like folate and B12). This can lead to elevated homocysteine, impaired detox, and poor tissue repair — all of which may negatively impact your bone health.
Quick facts:
About 40% of the global population has at least one copy of the MTHFR C677T mutation.
10–14% have two copies (homozygous), which can significantly reduce methylation efficiency.
Supporting these pathways with active B vitamins (e.g., methylfolate, methyl B12), choline, and magnesium may help restore balance.
💊 3. Nutrient Testing (Vitamins & Minerals)
What it is:
These tests measure levels of key nutrients in your body — like vitamin D, magnesium, calcium, zinc, B12, and others — using blood, urine, or sometimes tissue samples.
Why it matters:
You can eat well and take supplements — but if your body isn't absorbing or using those nutrients properly, you may still be deficient at the cellular level.
Gut health issues, chronic stress, medication use, or genetics can all impair nutrient uptake. Since many of these nutrients are foundational to bone building, testing can help you pinpoint gaps and adjust your plan.
Quick facts:
Vitamin D insufficiency affects roughly 50% of the global population, including areas across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Magnesium deficiency is widespread and linked to impaired calcium regulation and bone strength.
Testing removes the guesswork and ensures you're addressing real gaps — not just hoping supplements are doing their job.
🧭 Choosing a Testing Approach: Wait and See vs. Kitchen Sink
Advanced tests aren’t part of routine medical care — they usually aren’t covered by Medicare or private health insurance, and most GPs won’t order them unless there’s a very specific reason. If you're interested in exploring this kind of testing, you'll typically need to work with a functional medicine practitioner, integrative doctor, or naturopath with experience in personalised lab assessments.
These practitioners can also help you choose which tests are worth prioritising, interpret the results in context, and build a plan that supports your overall bone health — not just your lab numbers.
Not sure whether to jump into testing right away? There’s no single right answer — it depends on your goals, history, and resources. There are 2 approaches to these tests:
✅ Wait and See
Stick with the fundamentals (exercise, protein, vitamin D, etc.) and give it 12–24 months. If your bone scan shows improvement, great — no need to dig further. If not, testing can help explain why.
This may be the right approach if:
You’ve been diagnosed with osteopenia rather than full osteoporosis
You haven’t experienced fractures
You prefer a cost-effective, step-by-step plan
🚿 Kitchen Sink
Prefer to go deep from the start? Advanced testing can give you a comprehensive picture and reveal factors that aren’t obvious through symptoms or basic bloodwork.
This approach may suit you if:
You’ve already had fractures or have very low bone density
You've tried the basics without results
You want a more personalised and data-driven plan from the outset
💬 Whichever route you choose, it’s a good idea to speak with a practitioner who understands both bone health and functional testing. They can help you decide which tests are worthwhile and how to interpret the results in a meaningful way.
🧠 Final Thought
Advanced testing isn’t for everyone — but it can be a powerful tool if you’re not seeing progress or want a clearer path forward.
Whether you choose to wait and see or throw the kitchen sink at it, the goal is the same: to remove hidden blocks and give your body the best chance to rebuild strong, healthy bone.
→ Next step: Choose the approach that fits your situation — and talk to a trusted health professional to help guide the way.