Evidence Tiers Explained: Why Your GP and Naturopath Order Different Tests

Your naturopath recommends a $400 hormone panel. Your GP says a basic thyroid check is all you need. Who's right?

Here's the uncomfortable truth: they might both be right — for different reasons. The real question isn't "which test is better?" but "what can each test actually tell me, and will anyone act on the results?"

This is the question that trips up thousands of Australians every year. You spend money on tests, wait anxiously for results, then discover your GP doesn't know what to do with half of them — or worse, dismisses them entirely.

Understanding evidence tiers — how different tests are viewed by mainstream medicine versus integrative practitioners — gives you the clarity to make informed decisions about your health testing. No more wasted money. No more frustrating conversations. Just honest expectations.

The Three Evidence Tiers: A Plain English Guide

Not all health tests are created equal. Some are standard medical practice with decades of research behind them. Others are emerging, used by some practitioners but not all. And some are popular in functional medicine circles but haven't been widely adopted by mainstream medicine yet.

We categorise tests into three evidence tiers — not to judge them, but to set honest expectations about what happens after you get your results.

Guideline-Backed ⭐⭐⭐

What it means: These tests appear in official guidelines from bodies like the RACGP (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners), RCPA, or specialist medical societies. Your GP will know exactly what to do with the results.

Examples:

• TSH — The standard thyroid screening test

• HbA1c — Blood sugar control over 3 months (diabetes screening)

• Lipid panel — Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides

• Vitamin D — One of the most commonly ordered tests in Australia

• Full blood count — The foundational blood test

• Ferritin — Iron stores (especially important for women)

Medicare: Often covered when your GP orders with clinical indication.

What to expect: Your GP will interpret these results confidently and know the next steps if something's abnormal. Clear pathways exist for follow-up and treatment.

Context-Dependent ⭐⭐

What it means: These tests have peer-reviewed evidence and are recognised by some health practitioners, but aren't universally ordered. Your GP may or may not be familiar with them. Some GPs embrace them; others prefer to stick with standard tests.

Examples:

• ApoB — Cholesterol particle count (increasingly recognised for cardiovascular risk)

• Lp(a) — Genetic cardiovascular risk marker (one-time test)

• Fasting insulin — Early insulin resistance detection

• Homocysteine — Cardiovascular and neurological marker

• Free T3 — Active thyroid hormone (useful in some clinical scenarios)

• hs-CRP — High-sensitivity inflammation marker

Medicare: Rarely covered unless specifically indicated.

What to expect: Some GPs will engage with these results thoughtfully; others may say "I don't usually order that." If your GP isn't familiar, you might need to seek a second opinion or discuss with an integrative practitioner. The results can be valuable — but you may need to advocate for yourself.

Research-Oriented ⭐

What it means: These tests are popular in functional medicine and naturopathy circles but have limited adoption in mainstream Australian medicine. Preliminary evidence suggests potential value, but large-scale validation studies are often lacking.

Examples:

• DUTCH hormone testing — Comprehensive hormone metabolite panel (urine-based)

• Organic acids testing — Metabolic and gut health markers

• Comprehensive stool analysis — Detailed microbiome profiling

• Hair tissue mineral analysis — Mineral status and heavy metals

• Food sensitivity panels (IgG) — Controversial in mainstream medicine

Medicare: Not covered.

What to expect: Your GP will likely not be familiar with these tests and may not know how to interpret them. These are best discussed with a naturopath, integrative medicine practitioner, or functional medicine doctor who works with them regularly. The results may provide useful insights — but understand you're in less charted territory.

Why This Matters: The Follow-Up Problem

Here's what most testing providers don't tell you: the test itself is only half the equation. What matters is what happens next.

According to research on Choosing Wisely Australia, a significant portion of pathology tests ordered in Australian healthcare don't lead to changed clinical decisions. Tests without clear follow-up pathways can create anxiety without actionable insights.

This is why evidence tiers matter:

• Guideline-Backed tests have clear follow-up pathways. Abnormal TSH? Your GP knows exactly what to do next.

• Context-Dependent tests require a practitioner who understands them. Elevated ApoB? Some GPs will adjust your treatment plan; others won't know what to do with it.

• Research-Oriented tests need specialist interpretation. Abnormal organic acids? You'll need a functional medicine practitioner to make sense of it.

What Health Practitioners Say

Mainstream medicine takes a conservative approach to testing: order what's clinically indicated, avoid unnecessary tests, and stick to what has strong evidence behind it.

The RACGP's Guidelines for Preventive Activities in General Practice (the "Red Book") outlines evidence-based screening recommendations. Tests included in these guidelines have been evaluated using the GRADE framework — an internationally recognised system for assessing evidence quality.

From this perspective, a "good" test is one where:

• Evidence clearly shows it improves patient outcomes

• The results lead to specific, evidence-based interventions

• The benefits outweigh potential harms (including anxiety from false positives)

This is why GPs don't routinely order every available test — not because they're dismissive, but because unnecessary testing can lead to false positives, unnecessary interventions, and patient anxiety without improving health outcomes.

What Integrative Practitioners Say

Naturopaths, functional medicine doctors, and integrative practitioners often take a different approach. They argue that standard testing can miss subtle imbalances that affect how you feel, even if you're not technically "sick."

From this perspective:

• "Normal" lab ranges are based on population averages, not optimal function

• Patterns across multiple markers can reveal imbalances before they become disease

• Individualised testing helps target personalised interventions (diet, supplements, lifestyle)

This is why integrative practitioners often order Context-Dependent or Research-Oriented tests — they're looking for different things than a standard medical workup.

Neither approach is "wrong." They're asking different questions. The key is understanding which question you're trying to answer.

Who Should Care About Evidence Tiers?

Evidence tier awareness is especially valuable if:

• You're ordering private-pay tests — You want to know what your GP will (and won't) engage with

• You're working with multiple practitioners — GP + naturopath, or specialist + integrative doctor

• You've had tests dismissed before — Understanding why helps you navigate the conversation

• You're health-conscious but not "sick" — Optimisation testing often falls into Context-Dependent or Research-Oriented tiers

• You want honest expectations — No surprises about what happens after results arrive

How to Use This Information

Before ordering any health test, ask yourself:

1. What question am I trying to answer? "Is something wrong?" vs "How can I optimise?" require different tests.

2. Who will interpret the results? Make sure you have a practitioner lined up who's familiar with the tests you're ordering.

3. What will I do with abnormal results? Is there a clear next step, or will you be left wondering?

4. What's the evidence tier? Set realistic expectations about GP engagement.

If You're Ordering Guideline-Backed Tests

These integrate smoothly with GP care. Order confidently, share results with your GP, and expect clear follow-up pathways.

If You're Ordering Context-Dependent Tests

Check with your GP first: "Would you find ApoB results useful for my cardiovascular risk assessment?" Some GPs welcome them; others prefer to stick with standard panels. Knowing in advance saves frustration.

If You're Ordering Research-Oriented Tests

Have a practitioner who works with these tests before you order. A naturopath or functional medicine doctor can interpret the results in context. Don't expect your GP to engage — it's not their area of expertise.

The Bottom Line

Evidence tiers aren't about "good" tests versus "bad" tests. They're about setting honest expectations.

A Guideline-Backed test with clear follow-up may be more valuable than a Research-Oriented test that leaves you confused. But a Context-Dependent test that answers your specific question — interpreted by the right practitioner — can be exactly what you need.

The goal isn't more tests. It's the right tests for your situation, with clear pathways for what happens next.

Explore Evidence-Tiered Panels

All Clarity Labs panels include honest evidence tier labels, so you know what to expect before you order.

• Browse All Panels — See evidence tiers for every biomarker

• Clarity Baseline Panels — Guideline-Backed foundation tests

• Vitality Panels — Mix of Guideline-Backed and Context-Dependent markers

This information is educational only and not medical advice. Always discuss results with your health practitioner. If you're experiencing symptoms, please consult a qualified health professional.