At-Home Organic Acid Test (OAT) for Metabolic & Gut Health in India
Understanding what’s happening inside the body can be challenging, especially when we don’t know the reason behind our symptoms.
The Urinary Organic Acid Test (OAT) is a urine-based non-invasive laboratory test used to gain insights into exploring the body’s metabolic system, gut health, and nutritional balance. This test, rather than diagnosing disease, OAT reveals the metabolic root cause behind your symptoms and gives Dr. Menka Gupta a clear, data-backed map for building your personalised plan.
Find the metabolic root cause behind your symptoms.
76 metabolic markers from a single urine sample interpreted by Dr. Menka Gupta and turned into a personalised plan that targets the cause, not just the symptom.
Get To Know Dr Menka
Dr. Menka Gupta* has been practicing functional medicine since 2012 and is the first Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP) in South Asia. She has helped more than 5000 patients with complex and chronic health issues related to Digestive disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Chronic fatigue, Thyroid, Autoimmunity, Eczema, Autism. She has more than 25 years of experience in the health and wellness field in London and Singapore.
Dr. Menka Gupta*, MBBS, MSc, FMCP-M
IFM-Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner • 25+ Years Experience
✓ Medically Reviewed •Â
What is the Organic Acid Test (OAT)?
The Organic Acids Test (OAT), also known as the urinary organic acid test, provides an initial step in assessing the body’s metabolic health through a simple urine sample. It focuses on organic acids, which are naturally occurring compounds produced during everyday processes such as energy production, gut microbial activity, nutrient metabolism, and detoxification.
It focuses on organic acids, which are naturally occurring compounds formed during everyday processes. These organic acids are produced by human cells and by gut bacteria as well as fungi, and are normally removed from our body through urine.
These reflect key processes such as energy production, gut microbial activity, nutrient metabolism, detoxification, and neurotransmitter balance.
When these processes are working efficiently, organic acids are produced and easily excreted from the body. However, if certain processes become less efficient, it may be due to altered enzyme activity, toxin exposure, changes in gut microbial balance, or nutrient deficiency, then these organic acid may build and appear in higher amounts in our urine.
The Organic Acid Tests offer a broad view of metabolic and nutritional function by measuring 76 organic acid markers, just from a single, easy-to-collect urine sample. The OAT helps identify functional imbalances related to metabolic disorders, microbial overgrowth, or nutritional deficiencies.
This at-home test is commonly used to support the evaluation of concerns such as neurological or behavioural issues, unexplained digestive woes, mental health, chronic fatigue, and metabolic disturbances.
Who Should Take an Organic Acid Test (OAT)?
The Organic Acid Test is often used as part of a broader functional assessment for individuals whose standard blood tests look normal but who continue to struggle with unexplained fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, sleep issues, bloating, and other persistent symptoms.
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Individuals who can benefit from OAT include those experiencing:
- ✓Persistent fatigue or chronic fatigue
- ✓Fibromyalgia
- ✓Mitochondrial dysfunction
- ✓Fatty acid metabolism
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- ✓Nutritional deficiencies
- ✓Brain fog
- ✓Poor concentration
- ✓Memory issues
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- ✓Anxiety and depression
- ✓Disturbed sleep cycle
- ✓Digestive woes like bloating, pain in the abdomen, and diarrhoea; it may indicate gut dysbiosis, i.e., yeast, fungal, or bacterial overgrowth.
- ✓Skin problems like acne or eczema
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- ✓Autism spectrum disorders
- ✓Disturbed sleep cycle
- ✓Diabetes and insulin resistance
- ✓Neurological disorders like ADHD or Parkinsonism
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- ✓Obesity and metabolic concerns
- ✓Cardiovascular Diseases
- ✓Toxic exposures (Environmental, Metals, Lyme, Mycotoxins, and Tickborne)
If you're nodding your head “YES” to any of these, this is for YOU.
Stop chasing symptoms with blind supplements. Stop hearing “your bloodwork is fine” while you still feel terrible. Get the metabolic data, get a plan, and start fixing what’s actually driving your symptoms.
Benefits of the Organic Acid Test
76 markers from one urine sample
OAT measures 76 organic acid markers across mitochondrial function, neurotransmitters, nutrients, gut microbes, and detoxification far more comprehensive than a standard blood panel.
Non-invasive and convenient
No blood draw, no clinic visit. A single first-morning urine sample collected at home.
Find what blood tests miss
Standard blood tests often look normal even when symptoms are real. OAT reveals what's happening at a functional, metabolic level the layer routine bloodwork doesn't measure.
Pinpoint the root cause
OAT doesn't just confirm what's wrong it shows why. Whether it's energy production, gut imbalance, nutrient deficiency, or toxic burden, the data points directly to where to intervene.
Targeted, personalised plan
Your results feed directly into a customised nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle plan from Dr. Menka built around your specific markers, not a generic protocol.
No more guesswork with supplements
Skip the trial-and-error. OAT tells you exactly which nutrients, microbial issues, or metabolic processes need support so you stop spending on supplements that may not be doing anything.
Conditions Addressed
Which Health Issues Does Organic Acid Test (OAT) Help?
The Organic Acid Test (OAT) can help identify metabolic and microbial root causes behind a wide range of conditions, including:
- Chronic fatigue and low energy
- Mitochondrial dysfunction and poor cellular energy production
- Brain fog, poor concentration, and cognitive issues
- Yeast and Candida overgrowth
- Bacterial dysbiosis (including Clostridia overgrowth)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and behavioural symptoms in children
- ADHD and attention difficulties
- Mood disorders (anxiety, depression, irritability)
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
- Headaches, migraines, and recurring head pain
- Detoxification issues and impaired toxin clearance
- Methylation imbalance and B-vitamin metabolism issues
- Neurotransmitter imbalances (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine)
- Oxalate-related conditions (kidney stones, joint pain, vulvodynia)
Step-by-Step Process
Organic Acid Test Procedure
The OAT is a simple, non-invasive at-home test that uses a single first-morning urine sample. There are some specific prep steps required to ensure accurate results so please follow the instructions below carefully.
The Urinary Organic Acids Test is a simple, non-invasive test performed at home. It includes:
How It Works
01
Before Collection
Collect your first morning urine sample
02
Collecting the Sample
Collect the urine sample using the container provided in OAT kit
03
After Collection
Freeze urine specimens for at least 4 hours before shipping. Keep in the freezer until ready to ship.
04
What Happens Next
Ship the sample to the labs
Labs analyzes the samples for organic acid markers
Results typically take 1 month
Your Complete Report
What Will An Organic Acid Test Tell Me?
OAT measures 76 organic acid markers grouped across six key clinical categories. Together, they give a clear picture of how efficiently your body is producing energy, balancing gut microbes, using nutrients, processing neurotransmitters, and clearing waste.
Key Insights From The Organic Acid Test
The Organic Acid test provides insight into different clinical categories. It enables practitioners to quickly identify patterns of fluctuating metabolic pathways.
The table below highlights key marker groups assessed in the Organic Acid Test and explains what changes in these markers may suggest about overall body function.
| Category | Markers | What higher levels may indicate |
|---|---|---|
| Mitochondrial Health | Citric, α-Ketoglutaric, Succinic | The body may not be producing energy efficiently |
| Neurotransmitter Metabolites | HVA / VMA (dopamine / norepinephrine), 5HIAA (serotonin) | Represents imbalances that may affect stress, mood, or focus |
| Nutritional Markers | Methylmalonate (B12), Xanthurenic (B6), Glutaric (B2) | Possible vitamin or nutrient deficiencies |
| Yeast / Fungal Markers | Arabinose, Tartaric, Citramalic | Increased yeast or fungal activity in the gut |
| Oxalate Markers | Oxalic, Glyceric | Microbial or dietary imbalances |
| Bacterial Markers | Hippuric, Phenylacetate, Tricarballylic | Gut bacterial imbalance or toxin accumulation |
Program Inclusions
What You Get / Kit Inclusions with the Organic Acid Test
Comprehensive Organic Acid Test (OAT) 76 metabolic markers from a single urine sample
Nutra Nourish's Organic Acid Test Kit
Nutra Nourish OAT kit is thoughtfully prepared to make the testing process simple and stress-free for you. Inside the kit, you’ll find everything you need to collect and send your sample safely and accurately.
Urine collection kit
Contains a cup, a tube, and gloves for safe and hygienic sample collection
Step-by-step instructions
Clear step-by-step instructions to guide you through the sample collection process, so you don't feel confused
Secure packaging
Secure packaging shipping support to protect your sample
Pre-arranged shipping
Pre-arranged shipping support to ensure your sample reaches the laboratory safely
Why Choose NutraNourish for Your Organic Acid Test?
- IFM-Certified Functional Medicine expertise: Your results are interpreted by Dr. Menka Gupta the first Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP) in South Asia, with 25 years of clinical experience and 12,000+ patients helped.
- Expert interpretation, not just a report: Your report is broken down by certified functional medicine practitioners into simple, easy-to-understand insights so you actually know what the markers mean for your health.
- Personalised guidance, not guesswork: You receive personalised guidance on correcting imbalances through diet, lifestyle, and supplements based on your actual results, not trial-and-error.
- No-trial-and-error approach: We focus only on what your body actually needs. Supplement recommendations are tailored specifically to your unique results.
- Accessible pricing without compromising accuracy: Our pricing is designed to be accessible without sacrificing the quality or accuracy of your results.
- Phone and email support throughout: You'll have access to ongoing phone and email support for any questions or follow-ups.
- Fast shipping to US labs: We handle hassle-free kit delivery and complimentary express shipping directly to the US lab.
- NutraNourish has built a reputation for clinical accuracy, transparent processes, and prompt service across Singapore and beyond.
Stop Chasing Symptoms. Start Fixing the Cause.
If standard tests keep coming back normal but you still don’t feel right, the answer is at the metabolic level and OAT is built to find it. With 76 markers from a single urine sample and Dr. Menka Gupta*’s expert interpretation, you finally get the clarity you’ve been missing and a clear, root-cause plan to act on.
What Our Customers Say
Posted on Google Shivangini09 RichardsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr Menka is an excellent Gut health and longevity expert.She was very thorough with her assessment of the problem I was facing and prepared a detailed customised plan specific to my health condition and treated the diseases from the root cause ..Absolutely recommended.Thanks Doctor for all your help and support.Posted on Google dairhTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Before meeting Dr. Menka, I had consulted numerous specialists from different disciplines in an effort to understand and treat my condition. Over the years, I underwent various tests, received different diagnoses, and was prescribed multiple medications, yet I always felt that the underlying cause of my health issues was never thoroughly investigated. The focus often seemed to be on suppressing the symptoms rather than understanding why they were occurring in the first place. As my symptoms persisted, I became increasingly discouraged and started to lose hope that I would ever find real answers or achieve lasting recovery. Meeting Dr. Menka completely changed my experience. Unlike many healthcare professionals I had been to, she took a comprehensive and holistic approach to my case. She carefully reviewed my medical history, previous investigations, symptoms, medications, lifestyle factors, dietary habits, stress levels, sleep patterns, and overall well-being. Rather than looking at each symptom in isolation, she worked to understand how everything was interconnected. Her treatment plan for me were practical and focused not only on the now but also on long-term health improvement and prevention. Today, I am feeling significantly better than I ever imagined possible before meeting her.Posted on Google Denzal SwooshTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Extremely terrible with gut health, completely clueless in foods and nutrition, always in a rush for time, doesn't read feedback, just copies and paste automated response from weeks ago, i went from nearly being able to heal my gut health to loosing more time and money trying to repair the damage that this clown has done to my gut.Posted on Google Carol fernandezTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend Dr Gupta! Over the last six months of working together, she has helped me achieve substantial progress in my health journey. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a functional health practitioner.Posted on Google Prabakar SelvamTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have tried several treatments but functional medicine with Dr Menka and I think this is the best for GUT related issues.Posted on Google Priyanka KarthiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I want to thank Dr. Menka Gupta. I was suffering from some health problems and felt very scared, but after seeing her, my condition has been slowly improving. Thank you, doctor!Posted on Google Rajesh HathiramaniTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Menka is extremely knowledgeable and helped resolve my issues.Posted on Google nitesh sharmaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Menka Gupta is the most competent functional medicine practitioners in Singapore, uniquely combining conventional medical training with deep functional medicine expertise — a combination that is still relatively rare globally. I initially consulted her for multiple interconnected issues: gut dysbiosis, chronic anxiety, fatty liver, and unexplained weight gain resistant to standard interventions. Rather than taking a symptomatic approach, she recommended a set of advanced functional diagnostics, including comprehensive stool analysis to assess gut microbiota composition (beneficial vs pathogenic bacteria), as well as specialized testing for neurotransmitter pathways and metabolic imbalances. These investigations identified disruptions in serotonin synthesis and conversion pathways, along with broader gut-liver axis dysfunction. Based on these findings, she designed a structured, four-phase gut restoration protocol (typically involving remove, replace, reinoculate, and repair phases), along with targeted nutraceutical and lifestyle interventions to support liver function, hormonal balance, and metabolic health. The outcomes have been significant: • Marked improvement in energy levels and cognitive clarity • Substantial reduction in stress reactivity and anxiety symptoms • Improved hormonal regulation • ~8 kg weight loss over 6 months, achieved sustainably • Overall enhancement in day-to-day performance (including the ability to handle long work hours without burnout) What stands out is her root-cause, systems-based approach, rather than a superficial or symptomatic treatment model. That said, this process requires patient accountability and consistency — the results are directly proportional to how well one adheres to the protocol. I’m genuinely grateful to Dr. Menka Gupta for the measurable and lasting impact she has had on my health and overall quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the OAT a urine test or a blood test?
The Urinary Organic Acid Test is a simple urine-based test. It doesn’t require blood collection.
How do I prepare for an organic acids test to get accurate results?
You don’t need any complex preparation, but there are a few important steps: avoid sweeteners, fruits like apples and cranberries, and certain supplements (arabinogalactan, reishi mushrooms, echinacea, ribose) for a short period before the test. Full instructions are provided with your kit.
Do antibiotics, antifungals, probiotics, or digestive enzymes affect OAT results?
Yes antibiotics, antifungals, probiotics, and digestive enzymes can affect OAT results because they alter your gut microbial activity. If you’ve recently taken any of these, please inform your practitioner before testing.
Do I need to freeze or refrigerate the sample?
Yes. After collecting the urine sample, freeze it immediately for a minimum of 4 hours before it’s shipped out. This helps preserve sample integrity until it reaches the laboratory.
Can I collect the sample at home?
Yes. NutraNourish’s Organic Acid Test kit is designed for convenient at-home urine collection, with clear step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process.
How long does it take to get OAT results?
Once the lab receives your sample, results are typically available within 1 month, though timelines may vary slightly depending on your location.
How often should an organic acid test be repeated?
Test frequency depends on your health goals and your practitioner’s recommendation. Some people repeat the test every 3–6 months for regular monitoring; others retest once a year.
As an Indian vegetarian, will the OAT detect B12 and other B-vitamin deficiencies that my regular blood tests have missed?
Yes, and this is one of the most valuable uses of OAT for Indian vegetarians. Standard serum B12 tests in India often show “normal” levels even when functional deficiency exists, because they measure circulating B12 rather than how your cells actually use it. The OAT measures methylmalonate (a functional B12 marker), xanthurenate (B6), and glutarate (B2), revealing whether your body is genuinely getting the benefit of these vitamins. This is especially important for Indians on largely vegetarian or vegan diets, where 60-80 percent show some level of B12 inadequacy.
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