Genetic methylation testing provides valuable insights into your body’s potential by identifying variations in key genes that influence methylation. But genes are only part of the picture — they reveal your blueprint, but not necessarily how your body is functioning in real time.
The Methylation Pathways Check measures compounds in your urine which reflect the effectiveness of critical processes in your body. By analysing these metabolites or methylation pathways, you'll gain insights into your body's:
- Cellular energy production
- Detoxification efficiency
- Neurotransmitter balance
- Oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity
- Vitamin and nutrient status
- Gut health (bacterial or yeast overgrowth)
What we test
Nutritional BioMarkers
Measuring levels of these vitamins and co-factors is valuable for assessing nutritional status, identifying deficiencies, and understanding how effectively the body is using these essential nutrients. Each of these nutrients plays a critical role in a wide range of physiological processes.
Pyridoxic acid is a breakdown product of vitamin B6 metabolism. Measuring it reflects B6 sufficiency. It is vital for neurotransmitter synthesis, and supports amino acid metabolism and homocysteine regulation.
Pantothenic acid levels reflect the status of vitamin B5, a critical nutrient for adrenal health and energy metabolism.
Elevated glutaric acid indicates a functional need for riboflavin (B2), critical in cellular energy production and detoxification.
Ascorbic acid is a potent antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative stress. It is essential for collagen synthesis and immune response.
CoQ10 levels reflect mitochondrial energy production and antioxidant status. CoQ10 protects cells from free radical damage and supports cardiovascular health.
NAC is a precursor to glutathione, the body's master antioxidant. NAC supports liver detoxification, and helps combat oxidative stress and inflammation.
Biotin is critical for carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. Biotin is essential for energy metabolism and gene regulation, and supports healthy skin, hair and nails.
Methylation Cofactors
Methylation cofactors are nutrients and compounds that play critical roles in the methylation cycle, a biochemical process essential for DNA methylation, gene expression, detoxification, neurotransmitter synthesis, and overall cellular function.
MMA is a associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. It's a byproduct of the metabolism of certain amino acids, and its conversion to succinyl-CoA requires vitamin B12 as a cofactor. Elevated levels can indicate impaired vitamin B12 absorption, utilisation, or genetic disorders.
FIGLU is associated with folate deficiency. It's a byproduct of histidine metabolism, and its conversion to glutamic acid requires folate as a coenzyme. Elevated levels indicate inadequate folate intake, impaired folate absorption, or genetic defects in folate metabolism.
Neurotransmitter Metabolism
5HIAA is a breakdown product of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter for mood regulation, making you feel calm and at peace. Serotonin also helps regulate the gut and decreases pain sensitivity.
HVA is a metabolite of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in various brain functions, including mood, movement, and reward. Elevated HVA levels might suggest increased dopamine turnover.
VMA is a metabolite of the neurotransmitters noradrenaline and adrenaline. Elevated levels can indicate increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is involved in the body's stress response. This can be due to various factors, including stress, anxiety, or certain medical conditions.
5-HIAA is a metabolite of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, sleep, appetite, and other functions. Elevated 5-HIAA can suggest increased serotonin turnover.
Kynurenic acid is a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan. Elevated levels can indicate increased kynurenine pathway activity, which can be associated with various conditions, including inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, and certain psychiatric disorders.
Quinolinic acid is a neurotoxic metabolite produced in the kynurenine pathway, a metabolic pathway that breaks down the amino acid tryptophan. Elevated levels can indicate increased neuroinflammatory activity and oxidative stress, which may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's.
Picolinic acid is a metabolite produced in the kynurenine pathway, a metabolic pathway that breaks down the amino acid tryptophan. It's considered a neuroprotective metabolite with antioxidant properties. Elevated levels might be beneficial in certain conditions.
HPLA is an organic acid that can be elevated in certain metabolic disorders, particularly those affecting phenylalanine metabolism. It's a byproduct of phenylalanine degradation and can accumulate when there is a deficiency in the enzymes involved in this pathway.
8-OHdG is a biomarker of oxidative stress. Elevated levels can indicate increased oxidative damage, which is linked to various health conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
Toxicants and Detoxification
Measuring these organic acids provides insights into liver detoxification efficiency and environmental toxin exposure. They can also detect oxidative damage , as well as issues in mitochondrial function.
2-Methylhippuric Acid is marker for exposure to xylene, a common environmental toxin found in industrial solvents, paints and adhesives.
Elevated levels of Orotic Acid may indicate ammonia toxicity or impaired urea cycle function.
Glucaric Acid is a marker of liver detoxification. Elevated levels may indicate active glucuronidation, often in response to environmental toxins, medications, or hormones like oestrogen.
a-OH-Butyric Acid is a byproduct of glutathione synthesis and a marker of oxidative stress and insulin resistance.
Elevated levels of Pyroglutamic Acid may suggest impaired glutathione recycling or excessive glutathione demand due to oxidative stress, toxin exposure, or liver dysfunction.
Gut Bacterial and Yeast Imbalance
Measuring these organic acids provides critical insights into metabolic health, gut function, detoxification capacity, and microbial balance. Elevated microbial metabolites can help pinpoint bacterial or fungal overgrowth.
Benzoate is a metabolic byproduct that the liver detoxifies. High levels of benzoate may indicate imbalanced gut flora or detoxification issues.
Elevated levels of hippurate may indicate gut microbial imbalances, such as dysbiosis or overgrowth of specific bacteria, or impaired detoxification.
Phenylacetate is a byproduct of bacterial protein metabolism, often linked to gut dysbiosis. Elevated levels indicate excess protein fermentation by pathogenic bacteria.
Phenylpropionate is a marker of protein fermentation by gut bacteria. Elevated levels suggest protein malabsorption or bacterial overgrowth.
Para-Hydroxybenzoate is a product of microbial fermentation, associated with gut bacterial overactivity. Elevated levels may indicate poor gut health or toxin build up.
p-HydroxyPhenylacetate is Linked to tyrosine metabolism and gut bacteria. Elevated levels suggest imbalances in protein metabolism or gut dysbiosis.
Indoleacetic Acid is a byproduct of tryptophan metabolism by gut bacteria. Elevated levels may indicate dysbiosis, particularly E. coli overgrowth.
Tricarballylate is produced by bacterial fermentation and linked to citrate metabolism. High levels inhibit Krebs cycle efficiency and affect energy production.
D-Lactate is a bacterial fermentation product, often elevated in gut dysbiosis or SIBO.
Dihydroxyphenylpropionic Acid is a Clostridia marker. High levels suggest Clostridia overgrowth, which impacts dopamine metabolism.
4-Cresol is a byproduct of tyrosine metabolism by certain pathogenic bacteria. Elevated levels may indicate gut dysbiosis, especially Clostridia overgrowth.
3-OH-Proprionic Acid is a marker of propionic acid fermentation in the gut. High levels can indicate SIBO or carbohydrate malabsorption.
Arabinitol is a fungal metabolite linked to yeast overgrowth (Candida). Elevated levels are a strong indicator of systemic fungal infections.
Citramalic Acid is a bacterial fermentation marker. Elevated levels suggest gut microbial imbalances and inflammation.
Tartaric Acid is a byproduct of yeast metabolism (Candida albicans). High levels are associated with fungal overgrowth and metabolic toxicity.
Oxalate Metabolites
Oxalates are produced or absorbed in the gut. Dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria) can increase oxalate absorption, especially if beneficial bacteria are low. Identifying elevated oxalates can indicate the need for gut health support, such as probiotics, fibre or antimicrobials.
High levels of Oxalic Acid can indicate various health issues, including kidney stone formation, fungal overgrowth, and certain metabolic disorders. It's important to note that dietary intake of oxalate-rich foods can also contribute to elevated levels.
Increased levels of glyceric acid may indicate certain metabolic disorders, particularly those affecting carbohydrate metabolism or liver function. It's a byproduct of glycolysis, the process of breaking down glucose for energy.
Increased levels of glycolic acid may indicate certain metabolic disorders, particularly those affecting carbohydrate metabolism or liver function. It's a byproduct of glycolysis, the process of breaking down glucose for energy.
B-Complex Vitamins & Amino Acid Markers
B-complex vitamins and amino acid markers are crucial components that reflect the status of vitamin-dependent biochemical pathways and amino acid metabolism. These markers help in assessing nutritional status, detecting deficiencies or imbalances, and identifying potential metabolic disorders.
Elevated levels of KIC can indicate issues with the BCKD enzyme complex. This can be due to genetic disorders, nutritional deficiencies, particularly of B vitamins like thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), and pantothenic acid (B5).
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC) is associated with the metabolism of leucine. Elevated levels can indicate issues with the BCKD enzyme complex, which is responsible for breaking down branched-chain amino acids.
Elevated levels of KMV can suggest deficiencies in B vitamins or other cofactors involved in isoleucine metabolism, or potential genetic disorders affecting the BCKD enzyme complex.
Xanthurenic acid is a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan. Elevated levels can indicate a deficiency in vitamin B6, which is essential for the normal metabolism of tryptophan.
Elevated levels of HIVA can indicate issues with the breakdown of BCAAs, such as isoleucine, leucine, and valine.
Citric Acid Cycle Metabolites -
Abnormal levels of these metabolites can indicate issues with the citric acid cycle, such as errors of metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, or issues with energy production.
High levels of citrate can indicate an abundance of acetyl-CoA, often from carbohydrate or fat metabolism. It may also suggest issues with the downstream steps of the cycle.
Cis-aconitic acid plays a crucial role as an intermediate in the citric acid cycle, a fundamental metabolic pathway. It is essential for energy production in cells and levels can provide insights into cellular metabolism and potential metabolic dysfunctions.
Accumulation of isocitrate could suggest a block in the conversion to α-ketoglutarate, possibly due to enzyme deficiencies.
Elevated α-ketoglutarate might indicate problems with the enzymes involved in this step or a high demand for glutamate.
Elevated succinate can be a marker for mitochondrial dysfunction, as it may indicate impaired succinate dehydrogenase activity, which is also part of the electron transport chain.
High fumarate levels may suggest a block at the fumarase enzyme, possibly due to inherited conditions or mitochondrial dysfunction.
Elevated malate might indicate issues with malate dehydrogenase or an imbalance in the NAD+/NADH ratio, affecting the cycle's efficiency.
Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaric acid (HMG) is a precursor to coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) synthesis. Elevated levels can suggest a potential block in CoQ10 production, which can impact cellular energy production.
Carbohydrate Metabolism/ Glycolysis
Your body converts carbohydrates into glucose, then into energy. This process requires several B vitamins and lipoic acid.
Elevated levels of pyruvic acid can indirectly suggest issues with energy metabolism, particularly in conditions affecting the citric acid cycle or mitochondrial function.
Lactic Acid is a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, elevated levels can indicate mitochondrial dysfunction, muscle disorders, liver disease, or vitamin deficiencies.
Beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) is a ketone body, an alternative energy source for the body when glucose levels are low.
Glucose is a marker of carbohydrate metabolism. Increased levels of glucose in urine can suggest issues with glucose metabolism, particularly in the context of certain metabolic disorders or conditions affecting carbohydrate breakdown.
Ketone/ Fatty Acid Metabolites
Your body breaks down fats for energy, a process that depends on nutrients like carnitine and vitamin B2 (riboflavin). High levels of certain fatty acid metabolites may suggest a deficiency in these nutrients – particularly carnitine.
Adipic acid is a functional marker for carnitine deficiency. Carnitine is essential for transporting long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for energy production.
Suberic acid is a dicarboxylic acid that can be found in elevated levels in certain metabolic disorders, particularly those affecting fatty acid oxidation. It is a biomarker for conditions like MCAD.
Ethylmalonic acid is an organic acid that can be found in elevated levels in certain metabolic disorders, particularly those affecting fatty acid metabolism.
Pimelic acid is an organic acid that plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of biotin, a vital B vitamin. It serves as a precursor in the metabolic pathway leading to biotin production.
Elevated levels of Methyl-Succinic Acid may indicate underlying metabolic disorders, particularly those related to vitamin B12 deficiency or mitochondrial dysfunction.
Test instructions
You’ll receive your urine test kit in the mail, along with logistics for your sample collection.
