FAQs

Options – 

Please book online using the “book appointment” tab on this website.

Following this, you will have access to the patient portal /mobile app from where all bookings can be made/rescheduled/cancelled.

PLEASE NOTE –

Face to face appointments – Wednesdays, Saturdays only.

Telehealth appointments – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturdays

The general concept involves looking for potential underlying causes for the symptoms or condition – as opposed to merely giving a medication to treat the symptom. There is consideration into underlying biochemistry, physiology, genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors.

Integrative Medicine combines conventional western medicine (as taught in medical schools) with evidence-based complementary medicine and therapies. It involves a wholistic approach, encompassing all aspects of health – including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Practically, integrative doctors may have their own interests which informs their practice. e.g. nutritional medicine, traditional chinese medicine, acupuncture.

Alternative medicine is a term sometimes given for anything that differs from conventional, western medicine.  For example, Chinese or Ayurvedic medicine would be considered alternative but in fact are highly researched and practiced medicinal systems with much evidence to support, and have also been used for thousands of years.

The difference in terms also relates to the name of the institution. For example, in the U.S, the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) is one of the main bodies training Doctors and other health professionals, whereas in Australia, ACNEM (Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine) is the main organization.  The methods and emphasis on teachings can differ, but generally involves identifying and balancing the underlying root causes of illness.

Dr. Gajjar has a special interest in the following areas:

• Thyroid health

• Autoimmune conditions

• Women’s health

• Metabolic health

• Gut health

• Lifestyle medicine

• Ayurvedic principles and lifestyle

• Yoga and meditation

• Plant-based nutrition

Please note that Dr. Gajjar does not specifically manage mould-related illness or Lyme disease.

If you are unsure whether Dr. Gajjar is the right practitioner for your needs, we encourage you to contact us prior to booking.

Yes. This is not a replacement for your local GP; it is an additional specialised service that can help to complement your care with your GP and other health practitioners.

You are advised to have a local GP that you can see at short notice and for standard general practice issues – e.g PAP smears, contraception, standard post-operative care /wound checks and for acute illness.

Yes, this is open for both new patients and for follow-up of any existing patient.

If you are a new patient, there will be no medicare rebate. This will apply once you have visited in person and then available for 12 months afterwards.

If you are an existing patient and have been seen face to face at the Surry Hills clinic, you are eligible for medicare rebate for 12 months from the time of the clinic visit.

NOTE – Due to medicolegal reasons, we do not see patients from the U.S.

Wellshare, Surry Hills – Yes, medicare rebates are available if you are eligible. After a face to face appointment, medicare rebates are also available for telehealth video calls for 12 months.

Note – Medicare regulations: patient needs to have been seen face to face,  in clinic once in 12 months, to be then able to claim rebates for telehealth.

When the appointment details are sent by email, click on  “join session” ; this is all within the software we use. If there are any internet issues, then we will call on your mobile phone or landline.

Phone appointment- Dr Amy will call you; it will show as “no caller id”.

Please note – Dr Amy usually runs on time with her appointments – however, can occasionally run late. Please allow up to 15 minutes extra in case she is running late and take this into account in your personal/work schedule. 

We will go through your history thoroughly,  examine as appropriate and discuss management (e.g. further investigations that need to be done, lifestyle changes, treatment options).

You do not need to bring anything to the appointment.

If you have any relevant documents that you would like to share  – e.g. results, letters – please upload onto the patient portal. 

Optional – feel free to bring a notepad/pen or device so you can take notes during the consult if you wish.  Recordings are not permitted.

Following each consult, you will be advised when to make the next follow-up appointment. Generally, these will be for 30 mins duration. If a longer or shorter time is required, you will be advised accordingly.

Most blood tests requested will be on medicare.

Some tests advised may be private – this will be discussed with you and whether you wish to proceed.

e.g RT3, urine iodine – are private tests and the lab will bill you directly.

There are also medicare regulations on which and how often doctors can test certain items. e.g. Vitamin D can be tested once in a year subject to specific criteria; but if it is required again, it is not covered under medicare but can be requested privately.

If other health practitioners have advised you to have certain tests, it is under the discretion of the Dr to decide whether this is warranted to be done under Medicare. If not, they can be requested privately. Ultimately, the Doctor requesting the test is medico legally responsible – a doctor cannot request tests merely based on patient or other practitioner suggestions.

There are many types of functional tests. Relevant tests will be discussed and it is up to you if you wish to pursue these. Costs vary depending on the exact type of test and laboratory.

Some examples of  functional tests and their approximate costs (direct payment to laboratory):

Gut microbiome – $400-550

DUTCH hormone test -$400

Adrenal profile – $300

SIBO tests- $200 – $470

Organic acids test – $400

Heavy metals – $150

DNA testing – $400

Yes. If you are already seeing other practitioners such as  nutritionists, naturopaths, chinese medicine practitioners or chiropractors, continue with them. Likewise, if it is felt that you will benefit from seeing other specific practitioners, this will be recommended.

In practice, a collaborative approach is optimal and we find that results are better when working as part of a “team”. For example, diet guidelines will be given as appropriate,  but many patients find it beneficial to see a nutritionist/naturopath for a whole hour, to discuss diet/recipes in more detail,  as well as have ongoing support.

The request form option is for existing patients only and can be used between consultations, when an actual consultation is not required.

It can be used for simple requests such as medication requests and referral letters as well as private forms and email advice.

It is designed to be both time and cost efficient – as you do not need to wait or book in for a consult and the request can usually be fulfilled within 24h (although please allow up to 3 days during busier periods) and also will not be lost amidst several emails.

If for any reason your request cannot be fulfilled, the fees (minus transaction fee) will be returned.

There are two main reasons why the link may not be working –

1. Technical issue
2. Dr Gajjar is on leave – and the link has temporarily been deactivated.

For further assistance, email at admin@dramygajjar.com.  If Dr Gajjar is on leave,  the request can be fulfilled upon return or you can see your local GP.

Yes, we see patients with all dietary backgrounds and do not discriminate based on individual food choices.

As a lifelong vegetarian, Dr. Gajjar is also well-positioned to guide and support those who are currently following or interested in adopting a plant-based diet —for reasons related to health, ethics, animal welfare, or environmental sustainability.