FUNCTIONAL TESTING
Let's find out what's
really going on
One of the things that sets a nutritional therapy approach apart is the use of functional testing; specialist tests that go well beyond what is typically available on the NHS, and which can provide a much deeper level of insight into what is actually going on inside your body. I’m a firm believer in the ‘test don’t guess’ approach to ensuring that nutritional and lifestyle recommendations are truly targeted to provide support where you need it most.
Standard GP testing is a valuable starting point, and I always work alongside your GP wherever possible. However, conventional tests are generally designed to rule out serious disease, rather than to optimise health, and many clients come to me with a list of symptoms and a string of 'normal' results, feeling no further forward.
UNDERSTAND THE ROOT CAUSE
Functional tests ask a different question: not necessarily "is something seriously wrong?" but "how well is this system actually working and is that optimal?"- and the answers are often illuminating.
Not every client will need functional testing, and I will only ever recommend a test if I genuinely believe it will add value to your programme. Cost, practicality and your priorities are always part of the conversation. Most tests can be done easily at home using a saliva, urine, stool or finger-prick blood sample, although some may require a blood draw at a clinic local to you, with full guidance provided.
I work with a range of accredited, professional laboratories to ensure that you can trust the baseline data I then use to inform your personalised protocol, and follow-up tests can be used to track progress if appropriate.
Below is a brief overview of just some of the tests I use in practice.
LABS THAT I WORK WITH...
Gut Health Testing
Diving into your microbiome
Your gut microbiome; the community of microorganisms living in your digestive tract; has a remarkable influence on your health, affecting everything from digestion and immunity to energy, mood and hormonal balance. This advanced stool test gives a detailed picture of the microbes present in your gut, how they are functioning, and whether there are any signs of inflammation, infection, or compromised gut barrier integrity (sometimes referred to as 'leaky gut').
It's particularly useful for clients with digestive symptoms, but also for those with seemingly unrelated issues such as fatigue, brain fog, skin problems or recurrent infections, where the gut may be playing a bigger role than expected. The test is completed at home using a simple stool sample.
Comprehensive Thyroid Testing
Exploring every element of your thyroid health
The thyroid gland; a small gland in your neck, has a significant impact on energy, metabolism, weight, mood, hair, skin and more.
Standard NHS testing usually measures only one thyroid marker (TSH), which often misses the full picture. A comprehensive thyroid panel looks at a wider range of markers, including the active and inactive forms of thyroid hormone, how well the body is converting one to the other, and whether any autoimmune activity is affecting the thyroid.
This is especially relevant for people experiencing symptoms of an under-active thyroid; fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, hair loss, feeling cold, whose standard tests have been deemed 'normal'.
Metabolomix+
Nutritional Assessment
This is one of the most comprehensive nutritional assessments available and is particularly useful for clients who feel persistently below par; with symptoms such as persistent tiredness, brain fog, anxiety and low mood, without a clear explanation as to why. Using a simple urine sample collected at home, the test looks at how efficiently your body is producing energy, utilising key nutrients, managing oxidative stress, and carrying out essential processes like detoxification.
Rather than just measuring blood levels of vitamins and minerals, it assesses how well your body is actually using them; which can reveal functional deficiencies that standard tests miss entirely. Assessment of fatty acid status though a simple finger-prick blood test can also be added to the test panel as well as relevant genetic testing via a simple mouth swab.
The results allow me to build a targeted nutritional plan based on your specific biochemistry.
Comprehensive Hormone Testing
Understand Your Hormones
The DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) is one of the most thorough hormone tests available and is suitable for both women and men. Completed at home using dried urine samples collected at intervals throughout the day, it measures sex hormones (oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone), stress hormones (cortisol and DHEA), melatonin (for sleep), and, crucially, how the body is metabolising those hormones. This last point matters: standard blood tests tell you how much of a hormone is present, but the DUTCH also shows you what the body is doing with it, which is often where the real clinical picture lies.
It's particularly helpful for symptoms related to hormonal imbalance, PMS, perimenopause, PCOS, fatigue, low mood and poor sleep.
Well Woman / Well Man Health Screens
Your Body MOT
Sometimes what's most useful is a broad health overview; a detailed MOT covering multiple systems at once, rather than a single targeted test. Private ‘Well Woman’ and ‘Well Man’ health screens, do exactly that.
A single blood sample, collected at a local clinic, provide results across a wide range of markers, including thyroid function, hormones, cholesterol, blood sugar, liver and kidney health, iron, and key vitamins and minerals. This gives me a comprehensive picture of your overall health at the outset, helps to flag any areas that need closer attention, and provides a useful baseline for tracking progress over time.
KBMO FIT Tests
Food Sensitivity & Gut Barrier Function
Unlike a food allergy; which causes an immediate, obvious reaction, food sensitivities tend to produce delayed responses that can appear hours or even days after eating the offending food, making them very difficult to identify through trial and error alone. The KBMO Food Inflammation Tests (FIT) screens for immune reactions to up to 176 foods, colourings and additives and also includes an assessment of gut barrier function ('leaky gut').
It can be a genuinely eye-opening test for clients experiencing chronic digestive issues, bloating, skin problems, fatigue, brain fog, or inflammatory symptoms that haven't responded well to other approaches.
The test uses a simple finger-prick blood sample collected at home, or if you prefer a blood draw can be arranged with a local clinic.
Lifecode Gx® Nutrigenomics Testing
Discover how your genes may play a role
Nutrigenomics is the study of how your genes interact with your diet and lifestyle. We all have slightly different versions of certain genes - known as SNPs, and these small variations can have a real impact on everything from how we absorb specific nutrients, to how we process hormones, manage stress or respond to particular foods.
As a qualified Lifecode Gx® practitioner, I can offer a range of specialist genetic panels covering areas such as nutrition, hormones, detoxification, thyroid function, mental wellbeing and metabolism, using a simple, non-invasive mouth swab. Your DNA doesn't change, so this is a one-time test that provides lifelong insight and can be especially powerful in helping to explain why certain symptoms or patterns persist despite doing 'all the right things'.
All data is processed securely in a UK laboratory and never shared with third parties.
Adrenal Function
Evaluating how your body is managing stress
The adrenal glands produce key stress hormones; most notably cortisol, which follow a natural rhythm throughout the day. Cortisol should be highest in the morning to support energy and alertness and gradually taper off towards evening to allow for restful sleep.
When this rhythm is disrupted by chronic stress, poor sleep, or long-term pressure, the result can be persistent fatigue, low mood, poor concentration, sleep problems, and a general sense of being 'wired but tired'. Salivary adrenal testing measures cortisol levels at several points across the day, alongside DHEA (another adrenal hormone), building a picture of how your stress response system is functioning over time, something a single blood test simply cannot capture.
The test is done at home using simple saliva swabs.
Doctor's Data Cardiometabolic Profile
Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Health
A standard cholesterol test gives a useful but limited snapshot of cardiovascular health. The Doctor's Data Cardiometabolic Profile goes considerably further, assessing a broader range of markers associated with heart health and metabolic function, including more detailed cholesterol analysis, inflammation markers, homocysteine (an amino acid linked to heart, brain and bone health when elevated), and markers of insulin resistance.
This is a particularly valuable test for clients with a family history of heart disease, existing cardiovascular risk factors, or those who simply want a thorough, proactive picture of their metabolic health; beyond that typically covered by a routine GP check.
