At Needles, Herbs & Labs, Dr. Naylous may use the Organic Acids Test (OAT) from Mosaic Diagnostics to gain a broader look at metabolism, nutrient needs, energy production, detoxification pathways, microbial activity, and other biochemical processes that may be relevant to a patient’s symptoms.

The OAT measures 76 organic acids in urine and is designed to provide a nutritional and metabolic snapshot of the body. Organic acids are byproducts of normal cellular metabolism, and changes in these compounds can offer clues about how certain metabolic pathways are functioning.

Looking Beyond Standard Blood Testing

Standard blood work can provide important information, but it does not always show how nutrients are being used within metabolic pathways. Organic acids testing looks at downstream metabolic byproducts, which can provide additional context about areas such as cellular energy production, nutrient demand, microbial metabolism, detoxification, and neurotransmitter-related pathways.

This does not replace conventional blood testing. Instead, it may be used alongside other laboratory findings, symptoms, diet, health history, and lifestyle factors to help provide a more complete picture.

What the Organic Acids Test May Evaluate

The Mosaic Diagnostics OAT organizes findings into several major areas, including:

• Microbial Overgrowth

• Mitochondrial Health

• Neurotransmitter Metabolites

• Toxic Exposure

• Methylation & Detoxification

• Nutrient Needs

These categories are based on patterns of organic acid metabolites measured in the urine and are intended to help practitioners identify areas that may warrant closer clinical attention.

Micronutrient & Nutrient Needs

One of the valuable aspects of organic acids testing is its ability to provide indirect information about nutrient needs.

Certain metabolic pathways depend on vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other cofactors to function properly. When these pathways are not functioning efficiently, related organic acid markers may shift in ways that suggest an increased functional demand for particular nutrients.

The OAT includes direct and indirect biomarkers related to the functional demand for B vitamins, antioxidants, and other key micronutrients.

Rather than automatically assuming that an abnormal marker means a patient needs a specific supplement, Dr. Naylous considers these findings alongside blood work, diet, symptoms, medications, supplementation, digestive health, and other relevant information.

Energy & Mitochondrial Health

The mitochondria are responsible for producing much of the energy used by the body’s cells. The Organic Acids Test evaluates intermediates involved in glucose, fatty-acid, and amino-acid metabolism that contribute to cellular energy production.

For patients experiencing fatigue, poor stamina, brain fog, or reduced exercise tolerance, these markers may provide additional information about metabolic pathways involved in energy production.

The results are not interpreted in isolation. Dr. Naylous reviews them together with other relevant findings, such as nutrient status, thyroid markers, iron status, blood sugar regulation, and the patient’s overall clinical picture.

Microbial & Gut-Related Metabolites

The OAT also includes organic acid markers related to microbial activity, including metabolites associated with bacteria, yeast, mold, and certain other organisms.

These findings can provide another layer of information when evaluating patients with digestive concerns, although organic acids testing is different from comprehensive stool testing and does not replace a stool analysis when one is clinically appropriate.

Depending on the patient, Dr. Naylous may interpret OAT findings together with stool testing, digestive symptoms, diet, and other gastrointestinal information.

Detoxification, Methylation & Environmental Exposure

The Organic Acids Test includes markers related to methylation, glutathione status, detoxification pathways, oxidative stress, and metabolites that may be influenced by environmental exposures. Mosaic Diagnostics also groups certain findings under a Toxic Exposure category.

These markers do not necessarily identify the exact source of an exposure on their own. Instead, they may provide additional context about biochemical pathways that can be affected by environmental stressors or nutrient demand.

When environmental exposure is a concern, Dr. Naylous may consider these findings alongside exposure history, symptoms, blood work, and other targeted testing when appropriate.

Connecting the Results Back to Your Symptoms

Organic acids testing can produce a large amount of information, which is why interpretation matters.

Dr. Naylous does not rely on one isolated marker or use the test as a stand-alone diagnosis. Instead, he looks for patterns and compares them with the patient’s:

• Symptoms

• Health history

• Diet

• Digestive health

• Medications

• Supplements

• Lifestyle

• Environmental exposures

• Blood work

• Other laboratory testing

The goal is to determine which findings may be clinically relevant and which areas may deserve additional attention.

Who May Benefit From Organic Acids Testing?

Organic acids testing may be considered in patients with concerns such as:

• Persistent fatigue or low energy

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Digestive concerns

• Poor exercise tolerance

• Metabolic health concerns

• Chronic or unexplained symptoms

• Concerns about microbial imbalance

• Environmental exposure concerns

• Patients looking for a more detailed nutritional and metabolic assessment

• General health optimization

Mosaic Diagnostics notes that the OAT may be useful in patients with complex chronic health concerns, nutritional deficiencies, chronic fatigue, digestive issues, metabolic concerns, and suspected toxic exposures.

Not every patient requires an Organic Acids Test. Dr. Naylous determines whether it may provide useful information based on the individual clinical picture.

How It Works

After your consultation, Dr. Naylous will determine whether the Mosaic Diagnostics Organic Acids Test is appropriate for your needs and place the order.

The test is completed using a urine sample collected at home. Mosaic Diagnostics provides a collection kit with step-by-step instructions and shipping materials. The OAT uses a single urine specimen, and Mosaic lists an estimated turnaround time of approximately 5–10 business days.

Once your results are available, Dr. Naylous reviews the report in detail and discusses the findings with you during a follow-up consultation.

Recommendations may then be individualized based on your results, symptoms, and overall health picture and may include nutrition, targeted supplementation, lifestyle strategies, Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, additional laboratory testing, or other appropriate care.

A More Detailed Look at Metabolism

The purpose of organic acids testing is not to create a long list of abnormalities or supplements. It is to gain additional information about how different metabolic pathways may be functioning and determine whether those findings help explain the patient’s broader health picture.

At Needles, Herbs & Labs, the Organic Acids Test is one of the tools Dr. Naylous may use to help connect the dots between nutrition, metabolism, energy production, gut health, detoxification, and overall wellness..

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