Functional methylation panel | Fasting blood test | Direct measurement of active folate cofactors and the SAMe:SAH methylation index | Analysed by LC-MS/MS at an accredited laboratory | Practitioner-guided
Methylation is one of the most fundamental processes in human biochemistry — a simple reaction, repeated billions of times a second, in which a single carbon group is passed from one molecule to another. That one reaction underpins an enormous amount of everyday function: the synthesis of neurotransmitters, the maintenance and repair of DNA, energy production, the body's natural processing and clearance pathways, and the metabolism of homocysteine.
The catch is that you cannot see methylation working from a standard blood test. Genetic tests such as MTHFR can tell you about predisposition — how your enzymes are built — but not whether the cycle is actually turning over efficiently right now. The Methylation Profile is designed to answer that functional question directly, by measuring the active folate cofactors that feed the cycle and the key ratio that reflects whether methylation reactions can proceed.
What this profile measures and why it matters
S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) The body's universal methyl donor — effectively the currency that pays for every methylation reaction. SAMe levels reflect how much "spending power" the methylation system has available.
S-Adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) The by-product left behind once SAMe has donated its methyl group. SAH acts as a natural brake on methylation, so when it accumulates, reactions slow. Measuring it is essential context for interpreting SAMe.
SAMe:SAH ratio The single most informative readout in the panel — the methylation index. The relationship between the donor and its brake tells you far more about real-world methylation capacity than either figure alone.
5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) The active, circulating form of folate that drives the remethylation of homocysteine back to methionine. This is the form the body actually uses, which is why measuring it directly is more meaningful than assuming adequacy from folate intake.
Tetrahydrofolate (THF) The central hub of the folate cycle, from which the other functional folate forms are generated.
Folinic acid A reduced folate that feeds into the folate pool — particularly relevant for those whose conversion of standard folic acid is less efficient.
What Sets This Profile Apart
The defining strength of this panel is that it measures function rather than predisposition. A genetic methylation report tells you what your enzymes were dealt; this profile shows what is happening downstream — the actual concentrations of active folate forms and the working balance of the methylation cycle. That makes it a natural functional complement to MTHFR or genetic methylation testing, and a far more direct basis for tailoring folate and B-vitamin support than guesswork.
It is also analysed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), a high-specificity method, through an accredited laboratory — and results return with reference ranges and interpretive notes ready to be worked through with your practitioner.
Who This Profile May Suit
This profile may suit adults who want to understand their methylation capacity as it relates to energy, neurotransmitter balance, and the body's natural processing pathways — particularly where folate or B-vitamin status is uncertain, where genetic testing has raised questions, or as a functional baseline before beginning a targeted nutritional programme. It is best undertaken with practitioner guidance so the results can be integrated into your wider health picture.
Sample & Collection Requirements
This is a fasting blood profile. The sample must be drawn by a phlebotomist at an approved collection centre and frozen and transported on dry ice, so it requires a little more coordination than a saliva or urine kit. Collections are generally scheduled early in the week to align with laboratory shipping. Full instructions and the request form are provided with your kit, and we will help you arrange a suitable collection appointment.
Functional Medical Tests – Costs, Terms & Timeframes
All functional test kits incur only minimal administrative costs and include a pre-paid courier bag with full instructions for self-collection and submission. Kits are dispatched to one of our New Zealand distributors — FxMed or Nutriscript — who consolidate and forward samples via weekly shipments to accredited laboratories in the United States or Australia.
The standard turnaround time for results is 3–5 weeks from the date of sample submission. If you have not received your results within 5 weeks, please contact us so we can follow up on your behalf.
Please note: Occasional delays may occur due to customs clearance, international courier disruptions, or laboratory backlogs. These are outside our control but we will assist in tracking and resolving any extended delays.
Once results are available, we receive them directly from the distributor and forward them to you on the same day. Laboratory reports typically include detailed interpretations, reference ranges, and explanatory notes.
We strongly recommend booking a follow-up consultation — either online or in person — to contextualise your results within your broader health strategy. This ensures accurate interpretation and integration into your personalised care plan.
Consultation fees are additional to the cost of the test kit.
