What is Mitochondrial Function Testing?
If you’re constantly battling fatigue, struggling with brain fog, or feeling like your energy reserves are dwindling despite healthy habits, mitochondrial function testing may be the missing link. At Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic in Burlington, we offer comprehensive bioenergetic assessments that go beyond surface symptoms to assess cellular energy production, oxidative stress, and overall mitochondrial vitality — helping patients across Ontario uncover the root of persistent health concerns.
Ready for root-cause care? Meet our team of Burlington Naturopaths at Phenom High Performance Medicine — delivering personalized Naturopathic Wellness Programs and elite Athletic Performance Programs to optimize your health and longevity. Contact us today to get started.
Understanding mitochondria and their role in energy production
Mitochondria are tiny, membrane-bound organelles within each of your cells — best known as “the powerhouses of the cell” for their role in generating ATP (adenosine triphosphate), your body’s primary energy molecule. However, their functions don’t end at energy. Mitochondria are intricately involved in regulating immunity, cellular repair, aging, hormonal balance, and even brain function.
“The mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell—but more than that, they’re regulators of longevity, immunity, and cognition.” — Dr. Callum Cowan
Why mitochondrial health matters
Optimal mitochondrial health is essential for sustained vitality, clear cognition, and metabolic resilience. When your mitochondria become sluggish or damaged — due to poor nutrition, toxins, stress, infections, or genetic predispositions — your body’s energy systems falter. This can lead to symptoms like chronic fatigue, depression, muscle weakness, and hormone dysregulation, often misdiagnosed or overlooked in conventional medicine.
How testing fits into functional medicine
In functional medicine, symptoms are clues pointing toward deeper imbalances. Mitochondrial function testing allows practitioners at Phenom HPM to look beneath the surface, measure your body’s production of ATP and key antioxidants like CoQ10 and NAD+, and detect patterns of oxidative stress or cellular inefficiencies. This data informs a targeted, root-cause approach to restoring health and energy.
Whether you’re a high-performing athlete or simply want to regain lasting energy, understanding your mitochondria is the first step toward transformation.
Symptoms of Mitochondrial Dysfunction You Shouldn’t Ignore
Mitochondrial Function Testing in Burlington can help transform energy levels and wellness.
Are you constantly tired, foggy, or struggling to bounce back after exercise? These aren’t just signs of aging or stress — they’re potential red flags of mitochondrial dysfunction. At Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic in Burlington, we help patients across Ontario uncover how compromised mitochondria can manifest in dozens of subtle yet frustrating ways. If you’re chasing symptoms without answers, you’re not alone.
Fatigue and low energy despite rest
One of the hallmark signs of mitochondrial dysfunction is persistent fatigue that sleep alone can’t fix. When your cells aren’t producing enough ATP, your body lacks the fuel it needs to perform even basic functions. This shows up as morning exhaustion, afternoon crashes, or an overwhelming need for caffeine just to function.
Brain fog and poor mental clarity
The brain is one of the most energy-demanding organs — so when mitochondrial output is sub-optimal, cognitive processes quickly suffer. Patients often describe difficulty focusing, word-finding issues, forgetfulness, or simply “not feeling sharp.” This is not just mental burnout — it’s bioenergetic insufficiency.
Muscle weakness and slow recovery
For athletes and active individuals, impaired post-workout recovery, soreness, or unexplainable performance plateaus may point to cellular energy deficits. Mitochondrial dysfunction in muscle cells reduces their ability to contract efficiently and repair themselves — compromising strength and stamina.
Hormonal imbalance and poor metabolism
Mitochondria play a vital role in hormone conversion and metabolic regulation. If you’re experiencing irregular cycles, low libido, stubborn weight gain, or hypothyroid symptoms, your mitochondrial health could be a hidden culprit. Functional testing helps clarify whether these are systemic issues or rooted at the cellular level.
“Many patients tell us they’ve been chasing symptoms for years—mitochondrial testing finally connects the dots.” — Dr. Nicola Kempinska
Tuning into these often overlooked symptoms could be your body’s way of asking for a deeper investigation.
How Mitochondrial Function Testing Works
Comprehensive mitochondrial function testing supports precise diagnostics at Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic, Burlington.
Understanding your mitochondrial function begins with evidence-based diagnostics. At Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic in Burlington, we utilize cutting-edge lab testing to evaluate dozens of biomarkers related to mitochondrial performance, energy metabolism, and oxidative stress. These tests guide personalized protocols to restore cellular health — not just suppress symptoms.
What biomarkers are tested: ATP, NAD+, oxidative stress
Mitochondrial testing focuses on quantifying intracellular energy currencies like ATP levels, NAD+/NADH ratios, and CoQ10 — markers essential for mitochondrial respiration. Testing also assesses oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxides and glutathione, which reveal how well your cells manage free radical damage and inflammation. Integrating these values paints a complete bioenergetic profile.
Blood, urine, and organic acid options
We offer a range of functional diagnostic tools based on your specific needs. Blood panels often measure nutrient cofactors, inflammation, and mitochondrial enzymes, while urine organic acid testing reveals intermediary metabolites from the Krebs cycle, amino acid metabolism, and detox pathways. Some advanced panels also include salivary and stool sampling to assess gut-mitochondria cross-talk.
In-clinic vs. at-home test kit options
Patients at our Burlington clinic have access to both in-person phlebotomy services and convenient at-home test kits, depending on the specific panel ordered. Our team guides you through every step — from sample collection to understanding detailed results — whether you’re local to Burlington or living elsewhere in Ontario.
“We utilize functional lab diagnostics including plasma amino acids, urine organic acids, and CoQ10 levels to create a complete picture of bioenergetics.”
Precision diagnostics are the key to unlocking greater energy, repair, and resilience — from the cellular level up.
Interpreting Your Results + What Happens Next
A mitochondrial dysfunction diagnosis can be the turning point in your energy and health journey. After completing your test at Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic in Burlington, you’ll receive a clinically explained results breakdown—often uncovering the root causes of fatigue, brain fog, hormonal imbalance, or chronic underperformance. Whether you’re a high-performing athlete or an overworked professional, understanding what your ATP, NAD+, or oxidative stress biomarkers are telling you is key to restoring optimal function.
What low mitochondrial markers indicate
Low mitochondrial markers such as reduced ATP production, elevated lactate levels, or abnormal oxidative stress patterns often point to poor cellular energy metabolism. This can manifest as persistent fatigue, reduced exercise capacity, inflammatory patterns, or cognitive sluggishness. These indicators can also suggest potential nutrient deficiencies, chronic infections, or environmental toxicity—requiring precise intervention and skilled interpretation by our clinician-guided team at Phenom HPM.
Custom protocol design based on your profile
Your health plan is never cookie-cutter. Upon interpreting your panel, our team designs a targeted protocol tailored to your mitochondrial blueprint. This may include intravenous nutrients, detoxification support, NAD+ replenishment, dietary optimization, and hormonal balancing depending on your unique dysfunction scope. With data-driven precision, we match treatment intensity with your personal recovery goals.
Integrating nutritional therapy and supplementation: CoQ10, B vitamins, NAD+
High-impact micronutrients such as Coenzyme Q10, active B vitamins (like methylcobalamin and P5P), and NAD+ precursors (such as NMN or NR) are often foundational in your healing strategy. These compounds are carefully prescribed based on lab values and lifestyle demands. Through oral, IV, or liposomal delivery routes, each supplement regimen is curated to maximize mitochondrial recharge and resilience.
“Once we identify the gap, we build a bio-individual plan rooted in functional, integrative care.” — Dr. Callum Cowan
Now accepting new patients at our Burlington Naturopathic Clinic — and offering virtual care across Ontario. Book your free phone consultation today!
Costs, Lab Options, and How to Book in Burlington
Understanding the investment in your mitochondrial health is crucial. At Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic, located in Burlington and serving the wider Ontario region, we prioritize visibility around cost, lab quality, and next steps. Our team streamlines the journey—from selecting your best-fit diagnostic panel to securely booking bloodwork or at-home test kits across the province.
Typical functional testing costs in Ontario
Advanced mitochondrial function testing typically ranges from $295 to $725 depending on the scope and method (urine, blood, organic acids). Bundles including oxidative stress markers or toxin screens may increase costs. All pricing is clearly disclosed during your initial call or consultation with no hidden fees. We also provide flexible payment options for multi-stage recovery plans.
Insurance eligibility or coverage FAQ
While OHIP does not generally cover functional diagnostic testing, many extended health benefit plans offer partial reimbursement under ‘naturopathic services’ or ‘laboratory fees’. We provide itemized receipts and diagnostic codes to assist with claims. Patients are encouraged to contact their insurers directly for confirmations on coverage caps or caps per policy year.
Diagnostic lab tools we use (Doctor’s Data, GPL, etc.)
We partner with globally respected labs including Doctor’s Data, Great Plains Laboratory (GPL), and Genova Diagnostics. These labs offer validated assessments on mitochondrial metabolites, oxidative damage levels, detox capacity, toxin exposure, and nutrient depletion indices. Each test is chosen based on clinical merit—not marketing hype—and results are reviewed in-person or via secure video consultation.
Where to get tested in Burlington: Clinic address, appointment links
All testing can be initiated directly at Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic, Burlington. Some panels require a blood draw, while others may be completed at home. Our front desk team ensures you know what’s needed ahead of time and helps coordinate your appointment, shipping logistics, or lab requisition documents accordingly.
“We simplify the process—from choosing the right test to interpreting it with you clinically.”
Now accepting new patients at our Burlington Naturopathic Clinic — and offering virtual care across Ontario. Book your free phone consultation today!
Real Patients, Real Results: Functional Recovery Stories
Lab data is only one part of the story—until it’s matched with real-life, measurable transformation. At Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic, we’ve helped countless Ontarians restore their drive, clarity, and resilience through targeted mitochondrial care. Below are sample case studies showcasing how personalized treatment based on functional testing changes lives—inside and out.
Case Study 1: High-performance athlete with fatigue optimized with NAD+ + IV therapy
A 34-year-old triathlete presented with unexplained loss of endurance and persistent soreness. Mitochondrial testing revealed suboptimal NAD+/NADH ratios and elevated markers of toxic burden. A protocol involving IV repletion therapy, NAD+ precursors, and glutathione support was implemented. Within 8 weeks, lactic acid levels normalized and performance metrics returned to pre-slump levels.
Case Study 2: Corporate professional with brain fog improving post-CoQ10 + hormonal support
A 41-year-old executive reported chronic fatigue, poor motivation, and memory lapses. Functional analysis showed depleted CoQ10 levels, low B12 methylation activity, and borderline thyroid dysfunction. A mitochondrial reboot program was initiated using mitochondrial antioxidants, adaptogenic botanicals, and bioidentical hormone replacement. Within 10 weeks, cognitive sharpness and mood improved remarkably.
Before-and-after data examples
- ATP production levels increased by 85% following IV support and NAD+ therapy
- Oxidative stress marker 8-OHdG decreased from 12.5 to 3.4 ng/mg
- Patient-reported focus and alertness scores doubled on functional self-assessments
“I didn’t expect test results to validate how I felt. Now, I finally have the energy to live fully again.” — Anonymous patient
Now accepting new patients at our Burlington Naturopathic Clinic — and offering virtual care across Ontario. Book your free phone consultation today!
