Goulds Natural Medicine Clinic

It depends on your individual situation. Existing test results can be a valuable starting point and may help your practitioner build a clearer picture of your health, but whether they're sufficient on their own depends on a number of factors - including how recently they were done, the type of testing involved, and the standards and methods used by the testing provider.

Because testing practices, accreditation, and available panels vary between countries and providers, our practitioners assess each patient's results individually rather than applying a blanket rule. In some cases, your existing results will be enough to work from; in others, your practitioner may recommend additional or updated testing to ensure they have accurate, reliable information before providing a detailed assessment and treatment plan. This individualised approach is one of the reasons treatment plans are typically provided at your second consultation, rather than the first.

Every patient's health picture is different, so the time it takes to receive a treatment plan will vary depending on your individual circumstances. Your practitioner needs a complete and accurate understanding of your health before they can safely recommend a course of action, and how long that takes depends on what's involved in building that picture for you specifically.

Testing is one part of this. If you've had testing done previously, this can be a helpful starting point, but it isn't always sufficient on its own — testing practices, accreditation, and available panels vary between providers and countries, so your practitioner may need updated or additional testing to ensure they're working from accurate, reliable information. Some tests are also processed quickly, while others, such as microbiome testing, can take considerably longer due to preparation requirements and provider processing times, which can also vary by location.

When patients are overseas, there are a number of additional requirements involved in providing safe and effective care.

For example, we manage time zone coordination for appointments, which often requires additional scheduling support and flexibility. We also rely more heavily on email communication, as phone contact can be difficult across time zones, and we don't have the option of using SMS in the same way we do with Australian patients. This usually means more detailed and frequent correspondence to ensure nothing is missed.

On the clinical side, our practitioners often need to adapt recommendations depending on what testing and products are available in your country. This can involve extra research, coordination with international providers, and troubleshooting alternatives when something isn’t accessible locally or by post. There can also be added complexity with shipping, customs requirements, and international delays, which can impact both product delivery and testing timelines.

Because of this, there’s often a higher level of follow-up required, including rescheduling or adjusting treatment plans. The international rate reflects this additional time, coordination, and clinical management required to provide consistent care while you are overseas.