FUNCTIONAL TESTING
Why test?
Functional testing can sometimes be the best way to get to the root cause of your symptoms. It provides vital information about how your body is functioning, why you have certain symptoms and highlights any imbalances.
You may have been suffering from health issues for a while and struggling to get the answers you need. Testing can often provide the final piece to the puzzle you have been looking for. As I work with leading private functional testing laboratories, this help us to determine the right course of action for you.
So what are the benefits?
Takes away the guess-work as results pinpoint the root cause of your symptoms
Faster, more effective results with personalised plans targetting any specific imbalances identified
Baseline to measure your progress which encourages you to adopt changes to improve your health
Functional testing may be a blood, saliva, urine or stool test, most of which can easily be done at home. If you require a blood draw, I will arrange for a nurse to visit your home or you can attend a local phlebotomy service.
Here are some of the tests I offer and why they might be useful for you…
Hormone Levels
DUTCH Complete provides a comprehensive view of your hormones and how well they function. Analysing 35 different hormones helps identify the root cause of imbalances:
Oestrogen and Progesterone – regulate our monthly cycles and influence our mood.
Testosterone and DHEA – impact our metabolism, insulin sensitivity, body composition and mood.
Cortisol – your main STRESS hormone!
Neurotransmitters – Dopamine, Melatonin and Serotonin which impact our mood and sleep.
Key nutrients – B6, B12 and Glutathione
Who might benefit?
Anyone suffering from perimenopause or menopause, PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, heavy/painful periods, hot flushes, night sweats, fatigue, low libido, weight gain, mood swings, sleep issues, brain fog, anxiety and depression.
Provides baseline measurements for the administration/monitoring of hormone replacement therapy.
Adrenal Stress Profile
Provides an assessment of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and your stress response/resilience. This saliva test measures levels of your stress hormones, cortisol and DHEA.
Daily hassles, chronic pain, work stressors and poor relationships can alter the HPA axis.
This test uncovers biochemical imbalances underlying anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, obesity and other conditions which can impact your overall quality of life.
Cortisol and DHEA imbalances affect thyroid function, cardiovascular function, metabolism, energy levels, weight management, sleep, blood sugar regulation and anti-inflammatory response and resistance to stress.
Who might benefit?
Anyone suffering from chronic fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, brain fog depression, cravings, hypertension, GI complaints, immune dysregulation, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, persistent pain.
Gut Health and Microbiome Stool Test
A complete analysis of gut function, microbial diversity and the presence of disease-related bacteria, yeast, fungal overgrowth and parasites.
7 x health markers to assess inflammation, immune function, digestion and gut barrier health.
63 x microbial markers including those related to IBD, digestive enzyme function, SIBO, Helicobacter pylori and dysbiosis.
Who might benefit?
Anyone with a digestive disorder, IBS, IBD, constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain, food sensitivity/intolerance, indigestion, acid reflux, inflammation, skin issues, stress, fatigue, low mood, depression, brain fog, weight gain, nutritional deficiencies.
Advanced Well Woman Blood Test
A comprehensive women’s health MOT which includes tests for thyroid function, female hormones as well as vitamins and minerals for energy and long-term health.
Includes 48 biomarkers:
Full Blood Count, CRP for inflammation
Liver and Kidney health
Cholesterol and Thyroid Status
HbA1C Diabetes marker
Key nutrients – Iron, Vitamin D, Active B12, Folate, Magnesium
Who might benefit?
This female health check suitable for everyone. Whether you just want to check that everything is ok or have some health concerns you’d like reassurance on.
Full Thyroid Panel
The thyroid gland produces hormones which control your metabolism, body temperature, cholesterol levels and menstrual cycles. Even small imbalances can cause many symptoms — tiredness, slower metabolism and weight issues.
It can be hard to identify imbalances from NHS tests which only look at thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4); this test also checks:
T3 (active form)
Thyroid antibodies
Nutrients for healthy thyroid – Active B12, folate, iron, Vitamin D
Who might benefit?
Anyone with symptoms such as fatigue, lack of energy, low mood, depression, low motivation, difficulty concentrating, impaired memory, thinning hair, weight gain, unable to lose weight, heavy or irregular periods, fertility issues, constipation, itchy dry skin, dry hair, feeling cold, cold hands and feet.
DNA Testing
Variations in our DNA makes us unique and can impact our life and health. Most chronic diseases result from a combination of genetic variants (SNPs) and environmental factors.
Nutrigenomics studies the effect of food and nutrients on gene expression. Specialist tests identify how inherited risks can be mitigated through personalised nutrition and lifestyle changes.
Various DNA tests are available including:
Core Nutrient Report
Methylation and Detoxification Reports
Histamine Intolerance Report
Oestrogen Balance Report
Nervous System Report
APOE Report (lipid metabolism)
Who might benefit?
Anyone who is ready to make positive changes and reduce their risk of genetic variants.