You eat well. You exercise. Your blood work comes back “normal.” And yet… you still feel off. Maybe it's persistent fatigue, anxiety that comes on for no discernible reason, bloating, insomnia, or just the general sense that your body is just not functioning on all cylinders.
That’s where the [https://www.i-screen.co.nz/tests/organic-acids-test) comes in.
This comprehensive urine test doesn’t just measure static nutrient levels, it explains how your body is truly performing at the cellular and metabolic level. From energy production and neurotransmitter balance to detoxification and gastrointestinal health, it presents information that standard blood tests commonly miss.
What Is the Organic Acids Test?
The Organic Acids Test is a functional health assessment that evaluates more than 60 organic acid markers from a single urine specimen. These markers are by-products of critical metabolic pathways, and they reflect real-time information about how your body is working behind the scenes.
As opposed to regular blood tests, which look at fixed levels of nutrients or hormone status, the Organic Acids Test looks at dynamic processes like how your cells are using nutrients, what they lack, and whether key systems like detox or energy production are in stress.
It’s particularly useful for people experiencing persistent symptoms that don’t show up clearly in standard lab work. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes look at how your body’s systems are actually functioning.
Which Symptoms Might Indicate You’d Benefit From This Test?
You might benefit from the Organic Acids Check if you’re experiencing:
- Persistent fatigue, even with adequate rest
- Brain fog, memory issues, or difficulty concentrating
- Low mood, anxiety, or irritability
- Difficulty falling and/or staying asleep
- Frequent digestive issues like bloating, constipation, or food intolerance
- Trouble recovering from exercise or feeling physically drained
- Skin issues like acne or rashes
- Hormonal imbalances or irregular cycles
- Chemical sensitivities or trouble tolerating supplements
Many people with these symptoms have normal blood tests, which can be frustrating. The Organic Acids Check helps uncover the “why” behind how you're feeling, by examining what’s happening on a deeper biochemical level.
Key Areas of Insight from the Organic Acids Test
1. Nutritional Biomarkers: Are Your Cells Getting What They Need?
You might be eating a healthy diet or taking supplements, but is your body actively utilising those nutrients? The Organic Acids Test assesses your functional need for vital nutrients by examining how your cells are metabolising them. It evaluates important markers such as
- Pyridoxic Acid (Vitamin B6) – low levels can influence mood, sleep, hormone balance, and immune function. B6 plays a critical role in neurotransmitter synthesis, particularly serotonin and GABA.
- Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) – vital for energy production and adrenal function; insufficiency may result in fatigue and lack of tolerance to stress.
- Glutaric Acid (Vitamin B2) – supports mitochondrial energy production and antioxidant defence; imbalances can result in low endurance or brain fog.
- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) – plays a role in immune support, collagen synthesis, and detoxification.
- CoQ10 and N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) – CoQ10 is essential for cellular energy and cardiovascular function, and NAC helps in the creation of glutathione - your body's master antioxidant.
- Biotin (Vitamin H) – supports hair, skin, and nail health, as well as metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
- Creatinine (urine) – provides context for the rest of the results to be interpreted accurately.
These markers don’t just identify deficiencies, they help uncover the underlying reasons you may feel fatigued, inflamed, or slow to recover, even if you're already taking supplements.
2. Methylation Cofactors: Key Regulators of Cellular Function
Methylation is a key biochemical process that impacts everything from hormone metabolism to DNA repair to mental wellbeing. When methylation is impaired, you might experience anxiety, hormonal imbalances, brain fog, or poor detoxification. This test evaluates:
- Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) – a sensitive marker for vitamin B12 deficiency - even if your blood B12 levels are normal, high MMA may be a marker for a functional deficiency.
- Formiminoglutamic Acid (FIGLU) – a marker for folate status - elevated FIGLU may mean your body isn’t converting folate properly, which can reduce neurotransmitter synthesis and DNA function.
Together, these markers provide an idea of how well your methylation pathways are working and whether you might benefit from targeted nutrients like B12, folate, or TMG to support them.
3. Neurotransmitter Metabolism: Mood, Focus & Mental Clarity
Neurotransmitter imbalances are often at the root of mental issues like anxiety, low mood, brain fog, and focus. The Organic Acids Test measures downstream compounds of serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline, providing indirect information about how well your brain chemistry is functioning.
- 5HIAA – reflects serotonin metabolism and low levels indicate reduced production of serotonin, which is linked with anxiety, poor mood, and insomnia.
- HVA and VMA – dopamine and adrenaline metabolites - imbalances may point to overstimulation (anxiety, panic, insomnia) or burnout and fatigue.
- Kynurenic and Quinolinic Acid – metabolites in the tryptophan pathway that can signal underlying inflammation or issues related to mood regulation.
- Picolinic Acid – supports immune health and zinc metabolism, where an imbalance may reflect inflammation or nutrient deficiencies.
- Cortisol – urine cortisol gives a window into HPA axis activity - low levels can reflect burnout, while high levels can point to chronic stress.
These insights are especially helpful for those with stress intolerance, mood swings, sleep issues, or cognitive difficulties.
4. Toxin Exposure and Detoxification: How Efficient Is Your Detox System?
If you’re sensitive to scents, alcohol, medications or just always feel sluggish, your detox pathways might be overwhelmed.
- 2-Methylhippuric Acid – elevated levels are often associated with exposure to industrial solvents or chemicals, indicating environmental toxin accumulation in the system.
- Glucaric Acid – an important marker for liver Phase I detoxification activity, providing insights into how efficiently the liver is processing and neutralising toxins from the bloodstream.
- Orotic Acid – typically elevated when ammonia accumulates, which can indicate liver stress or impaired protein metabolism.
- a-OH-Butyric Acid and Pyroglutamic Acid – markers of oxidative stress and glutathione depletion, your body’s primary defence against toxins.
Higher readings here suggest that your body possibly requires support from antioxidants, amino acids, or detox nutrient support like NAC, glycine, or glutathione precursors.
5. Gut Bacterial and Yeast Imbalance: A Hidden Source of Inflammation
Even if you don’t experience bloat or gas, gut imbalances can indirectly lead to fatigue, inflammation, low mood, and nutrient loss. This test detects metabolites that can indicate bacterial or fungal overgrowth:
- Bacterial markers – Benzoate, Hippurate, Phenylacetate, Phenylpropionate, Para-Hydroxybenzoate, Indoleacetic Acid
- Fungal/yeast markers – Tartaric Acid, Arabinitol, Citramalic Acid, Tricarballylate, 4-Cresol, 3-OH-Proprionic Acid, Dihydroxyphenylpropionic Acid
These metabolites are waste products of dysbiotic microbes, and their presence can indicate a need for antimicrobial supplementation, probiotics, or dietary changes. Addressing these markers can be key to resolving issues such as brain fog, mood fluctuations, and persistent skin problems that may stem from the gut.
6. Oxalate Metabolites: Sign of Inflammation, Discomfort, and Gut Stress
Oxalates are naturally occurring substances in foods like spinach and almonds, however, when your gut flora is out of balance, excess oxalates are absorbed, which can cause joint pain, urinary discomfort, skin rashes, fatigue, or brain fog.
This test looks at Oxalic Acid, Glyceric Acid, and Glycolic Acid, which may point to a need for probiotics (like Oxalobacter formigenes), a low-oxalate diet, or targeted detox support.
7. B-Complex & Amino Acid Markers: Essential Drivers of Biochemical Functions
Your B-vitamins contribute to almost every metabolic process. These markers help detect where additional B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, or biotin may be needed to aid with symptoms like fatigue or hormonal imbalance.
- a-Ketoisovaleric, a-Ketoisocaproic, a-Keto-b-Methylvaleric Acid – require B1, B2, B3, and B5 for proper metabolism.
- Xanthurenic Acid – increases when B6 is deficient.
- beta-Hydroxyisovaleric Acid – suggests a functional need for biotin.
These insights guide more effective and personalised supplementation strategies, especially if you’re not seeing the results you want with standard multivitamins.
8. Citric Acid Cycle Metabolites: Your Energy Production Powerhouse
The citric acid (Krebs) cycle is the method by which your body turns food into cellular energy (ATP). Issues here typically cause low energy, brain fog, and intolerance to exercise.
Markers like Citric Acid, Succinic Acid, Malic Acid, a-Ketoglutaric Acid, and others show whether your mitochondria are functioning well. Abnormal levels may suggest mitochondrial dysfunction or the need for nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, or lipoic acid.
9. Carbohydrate Metabolism & Glycolysis: Key Processes for Energy Conversion
If your body has trouble turning carbohydrates into energy, you may feel fatigued, have cravings, or experience blood sugar swings.
This test measures markers like Pyruvic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Glucose that reflect how well your glycolysis pathways are functioning. Imbalances in this category can lead to increased insulin resistance, nutrient deficiencies, or abnormal mitochondrial uptake of glucose.
- Ketone and Fatty Acid Metabolites: Fuelling Your Body's Energy Needs When your body uses fat as fuel, it produces certain metabolites. High levels of Adipic Acid, Suberic Acid, or Ethylmalonic Acid may point to issues with fat metabolism, which is often due to carnitine or riboflavin (B2) deficiencies. This can leave you feeling tired, slow to recover from exercise, or unable to lose weight.
Take the Guesswork Out of Your Health
The Organic Acids Test bridges the gap between how you feel and what your standard lab tests show. It’s a sensitive tool that highlights functional imbalances, often long before disease is diagnosed. Through analysing metabolic patterns, it helps uncover the underlying causes of symptoms and guides precise, targeted treatment.
If you’ve tried different diets, supplements, or medications without lasting results, this test can help identify what your body truly needs.
With the Organic Acids Test, you get more than just a lab result. It instead offers a detailed roadmap to a healthier you. A way to understand your body’s signals, reconnect with your health, and start making informed decisions about nutrition, lifestyle, and the next steps. Ready to get started? Order your Organic Acids Check today.
