Functional Testing
As part of a functional medicine approach and where an NHS test is not available, I offer functional laboratory testing.
These tests often help me better understand how well your body functions, and help me find possible contributing factors for your health complaints.
I am registered with UK laboratories including, Genova diagnostics, Invivo Healthcare, Biolab, and Regenerus labs, which offer a wide range of tests.
Functional Laboratory Testing
Functional testing requires taking either stool, saliva, breath, blood, or urine samples. These can be mostly taken at your home, but some do require a laboratory visit.
Please note, these tests are offered at an additional cost. However, the information provided by these tests could give us invaluable insights to help pinpoint underlying imbalances and dysfunctions that could be contributing to your health complaints.
Due to the complexity of these tests, they are not available without consultation. Consultation is required to explain test results as well as to discuss their impact on your health. Based on the test results, I will also prepare suitable personalised dietary, lifestyle, and, if required, a supplement programme to help address possible contributing factors to your health concerns and support your overall health and wellbeing.
This test assesses overall gastrointestinal (GI) function. The test looks at digestion and absorption markers, assesses gut bacteria, yeast, and parasite presence. Results from this test could offer invaluable insights into GI function and may provide important information to help reveal the root cause of GI symptoms such as constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloating, etc.
This test evaluates excess bacteria in the small intestine, which leads to over-production of gasses such as hydrogen and methane. These gases are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the lungs, thus can be identified by this breath test. This test may be useful for individuals experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhoea, ingestion, etc.
These tests evaluate the body’s reaction to a wide range of food, food additives, and other allergens. Food antibody tests measure antibodies to either 87 most commonly consumed foods or 19 of the most allergenic foods. Choosing a test will depend on the nature of the reaction, i.e., if it’s immediate or delayed. As the body can react to food in many different ways, it can lead to various symptoms and chronic health conditions.
This test provides a snapshot of individuals’ overall health by measuring levels of organic acids (also known as metabolites) excreted in the urine. The body produces organic acids during vital metabolic pathways. Their levels could provide information on how well different processes in the body are functioning. The test includes markers for vitamin and mineral levels, toxic build-up, neurotransmitters levels, intestinal bacteria balance, etc. Many people with chronic illnesses have been shown to excrete abnormal organic acid levels in the urine.
This is a urine test that measures intestinal barrier function. The intestinal barrier regulates the final absorption of nutrients and separates the content of the intestinal lumen from entering the circulation. Increased intestinal permeability, also known as “leaky gut,” could result in under-absorption of nutrients and allow translocation of particles from the intestinal lumen into the circulation and has been associated with disorders such as food allergies, chronic inflammation, skin conditions, IBS, etc.
Various tests are available for men and women. As hormones regulate many essential processes in the body, the symptoms can highly vary when they get out of balance. The range of tests include:
- Adrenal stress profile – a saliva test that assesses adrenal glands function by measuring cortisol and DHEA levels. These hormones play various roles in the body including helping the body manage stress, increasing energy levels, regulate blood sugar levels, regulate sleep, controlling inflammation, etc. Imbalances in cortisol and DHEA levels have shown to result in a wide range of symptoms, including insomnia, fatigue, chronic pain, depression, weight gain, etc.
- Thyroid screen- this test provides an in-depth picture of thyroid health. As thyroid hormones regulate the body’s metabolism, imbalances could affect almost every metabolic process in the body. The thyroid screen test looks into thyroid function deeper than NHS tests. Therefore, it could help reveal imbalances that often go undetected and pinpoint underlying causes for a broad spectrum of health conditions.
- Sex hormones testing – these tests evaluate sex hormone levels. Imbalances in sex hormones have been shown to exert many effects on the body, including menstrual irregularities, infertility, low mood, loss of libido, hot flushes, insomnia, etc.
1-to-1 Consultations
I offer personalised 1-to-1 consultations. Find out about the different ways I can help you.