FAQs

What is a naturopath?

A naturopath is a qualified health professional who uses a holistic understanding of the body to address the root cause of illness. Naturopathy adopts a range of different tools to support healing such as herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, and dietary and lifestyle therapy. The core focus is on educating and empowering a person to take control of their health and wellbeing by providing them with the knowledge and tools they require. This supports healing and prevention of further illness or disease in the future and promotes optimum and sustainable good health.

What are Caitlin’s qualifications?

Caitlin holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy. She is also a registered practitioner with the National Herbalists Association Australia (member number 156542).

What happens in my first consultation?

Caitlin will begin by taking a deep dive into your overall health.

This will include a thorough case history, analysis of your symptoms and consideration of your past health history, family history, diet and lifestyle. Any physical diagnostic techniques will also be taken into account such as recent blood tests from your medical practitioner.

Following the consultation, Caitlin will prepare a detailed, individual treatment plan and prescription for you. This may include customised herbal formulas and compounds, nutraceuticals and tailored diet and lifestyle (such as sleep, exercise, stress management) advice specific to your needs.

The plans are developed to help you work on and achieve your health goals

I live in Townsville. Where can I see you?

Caitlin is available for consultations at 4 Fleming Street Aitkenvale. We are upstairs to Addesso Skin Clinic

I don’t live in Townsville but would like to organise a consultation online. Is this possible?

Absolutely! Caitlin conducts a lot of telehealth appointments via Zoom with patients from various locations. Simply book through the book appointment page and select online consultation.

I don’t live in Australia, can I still organise an appointment?

Of course you can. Cailtin consults via telehealth which means you can book an appointment from anywhere in the world. All consultations are booked in Australian Eastern Standard time. Simply book through the book appointment page and select online consultation.

What kind of functional testing do you offer?

Caitlin offers a range of different functional tests for patients based on their specific needs. It provides her with key information to improve treatment outcomes.

Caitlin will also request any general pathology tests completed by your doctor. They provide valuable insight into your health and identify the areas in which you need support.

Some of the functional tests commonly used (just to name a few) are:

DUTCH hormone testing:

Used to identify hormonal imbalances in females and males with symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, hormonal acne, low libido, thyroid dysfunction, PMS, mood issues, perimenopausal symptoms, sleep issues, weight gain and low energy. This is a dried urine sample that presents the entire day’s hormone production with extensive hormonal markers and their metabolites.

Complete Microbiome Mapping:

This includes a stool analysis to provide information on immune and digestive markers. It screens for pathogenic bacteria, commensal bacteria, opportunistic pathogens, fungi, viruses, and parasites. This may be suitable for patients presenting with IBS, leaky gut, food intolerances, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, or cramping, SIBO, skin conditions (acne, eczema, psoriasis), and poor immune function.

SIBO breath testing:

This is a breath test to determine if there is an overgrowth of bacteria present in the small intestine. This can cause symptoms such as bloating (generally quickly after food), diarrhoea, constipation, urgency in bowel motions, nausea, reflux, skin conditions, weight gain, headaches, brain fog and joint pain.

Hair Mineral Analysis Testing (Heavy Metals Testing):

This test helps determine mineral levels of essential nutrients, heavy metals, and additional elements. Imbalances in these elements can cause issues with mood, immune function, energy, reproductive health, thyroid, cardiovascular and metabolism. Heavy metals tested for are aluminium, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, lead, mercury and uranium.

Do you offer private health insurance rebates?

Unfortunately, not at this time. As of 2019, naturopathy was removed from private health insurance rebates. We do however hope this will be reinstated in the future as it is often reviewed.

What is the expected delivery date for online orders?

Love Your Guts aims to have all online orders dispatched or ready for pick within two business days.

Is there anything I need to do before my first consultation?

Here are some things to consider before your first consultation:

If you have had any blood tests done in the last six months, please contact your medical practitioner and request a copy. Bring these to your first appointment.

There is no need to arrange any blood tests if you haven’t had them recently. Caitlin will advise if any are needed after your first consultation.

If you are coming in for gut health support, you may like to download the Food Symptom Diet Diary from the resources section on our website and fill it in for four days (generally three weekdays and one weekend) prior to our consultation.

Recommended but not required.

If you are coming in for a hormonal condition, you may like to track your cycle and symptoms (including hormonal acne) so we have a great basis to start with. I like to recommend the app Flo on Apple and Android.