The Organic Acids Test (OAT) is a comprehensive urine test that analyses 76 organic acid metabolites to provide insight into how your body is producing energy, processing nutrients, managing detoxification and interacting with gut bacteria and yeast.
 
Organic acids are metabolic by-products found in urine that can highlight functional imbalances long before they appear on routine blood tests.
 
Why this test is useful
Organic acids reflect real-time metabolic activity in the body. Abnormal patterns may point toward nutrient deficiencies, gut dysbiosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotransmitter imbalances or impaired detoxification pathways.
 
This test is commonly used to explore root causes of chronic or unexplained symptoms, including fatigue, digestive issues, mood changes, brain fog and metabolic dysfunction.
Urine testing is preferred for organic acids as they are present at higher concentrations, allowing for more sensitive detection.
 
How the test works
You collect a single urine sample at home using the materials provided.
The sample is returned to the laboratory, where it is analysed using advanced analytical techniques to identify and quantify organic acid metabolites.
Results are presented with clear graphical displays and interpretive ranges.
 
What is measured
This test assesses markers across several functional areas, including:
energy production and mitochondrial function
vitamin and nutrient status
gut bacterial and yeast overgrowth
neurotransmitter metabolism
detoxification and oxidative stress
fatty acid metabolism
carbohydrate metabolism
 
Biomarkers tested
The Organic Acids Test includes (but is not limited to) the following markers:
3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaric (CoQ10)
2-Hydroxybutyric
2-Hydroxyhippuric
2-Hydroxyisocaproic
2-Hydroxyisovaleric
2-Hydroxyphenylacetic
2-Oxo-4-methiolbutyric
2-Oxoglutaric
2-Oxoisocaproic
2-Oxoisovaleric
3-(3-Hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxypropionic acid (HPHPA – Clostridia marker)
3-Hydroxybutyric
3-Hydroxyglutaric
3-Indoleacetic
3-Methyl-2-oxovaleric
3-Methylglutaconic
3-Methylglutaric
3-Oxoglutaric
4-Cresol (C. difficile marker)
4-Hydroxybenzoic
4-Hydroxybutyric
4-Hydroxyhippuric
4-Hydroxyphenyllactic
5-Hydroxyindolacetate (5-HIAA)
5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furoic
Acetoacetic
Aconitic
Adipic
Arabinose
Ascorbic (Vitamin C)
Carboxycitric
Citramalic
Citric
Creatinine
DHPPA (beneficial bacteria marker)
Dihydroxyphenylacetic (DOPAC)
Ethylmalonic
Fumaric
Furan-2,5-dicarboxylic
Glutaric (Vitamin B2)
Glyceric
Glycolic
Hippuric
Homogentisic
Homovanillic Acid (HVA)
HVA : VMA Ratio
Kynurenic
Lactic
Malic
Malonic
Mandelic
Methylcitric (Biotin)
Methylmalonic (Vitamin B12)
Methylsuccinic
N-Acetylaspartic
N-Acetylcysteine
Orotic
Oxalic
Pantothenic (Vitamin B5)
Phenyllactic
Phenylpyruvic
Phosphoric
Pyridoxic (Vitamin B6)
Pyroglutamic
Pyruvic
Quinolinic
Sebacic
Suberic
Succinic
Tartaric
Thymine
Tricarballylic
Uracil
Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA)
 
Who should consider this test
This test may be useful if you:
experience chronic fatigue or low energy
have digestive symptoms, bloating or suspected gut dysbiosis
want to assess nutrient deficiencies at a functional level
experience anxiety, low mood, brain fog or cognitive changes
have blood sugar or metabolic concerns
want deeper insight into chronic or unexplained health issues
are looking to optimise health and performance
 
Understanding your results
Results highlight areas of metabolic stress, nutrient insufficiency, microbial imbalance or detoxification strain.
Findings are best interpreted alongside symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors. Follow-up with a qualified healthcare professional may be appropriate to guide targeted nutritional or lifestyle interventions.
 
Returning samples to the lab
It is the user’s responsibility to organise sample returns.
Instructions are provided in the sample collection kit which includes a pre-paid return envelope.
 
Results timeframe
Results are typically available within 2–4 weeks.
Timeframe begins once the laboratory receives your sample.
 
Important limitations
This test provides functional insight into metabolic pathways but does not diagnose medical conditions.
Results may be influenced by diet, supplements, medications and recent illness.
Abnormal results should not be used to make medical decisions without appropriate professional guidance.
 
This is a Mosaic Diagnostics Test.
Testing is performed by Mosaic Diagnostics, a CLIA-certified laboratory compliant with U.S. federal laboratory standards.
Analysis is carried out using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). These advanced techniques allow for highly accurate separation, identification, and quantification of organic acid metabolites.
 
Price includes shipping cost.