Functional Testing
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Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis - to assess digestive function and the microbiome The gut microbiome has been established as being very important to our overall health including mood and mental wellbeing. Imbalances in the microbiome have been linked to IBS, immunity, skin issues, hormonal imbalance, bloating, fertility, fatigue as well as inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
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Parasite Testing
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SIBO breath testing - to assess for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
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Thyroid Testing - Many thyroid disorders are not picked up on standard GP tests. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits at front of your neck and sets your entire metabolic rate. It controls your weight, energy levels, mood, and is involved in everything from your cholesterol to female hormones. A comprehensive thyroid tests not only screens for TSH and T4 hormones, but also includes Reverse T3, Free T4, Free T3, and antibodies.
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Comprehensive Female Health Screen (for women of all ages). This screen provides an insight into a wide variety of conditions from heart disease and diabetes to liver and kidney function, thyroid health and iron status Key markers include; red and white blood cells, liver health, kidney function, bone health, diabetes, iron status, cholesterol, inflammation as well as ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, thyroid function and magnesium. This profile also includes female hormones FSH, LH and oestradiol which are markers for fertility, menopause and Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS; testosterone, DHEA, SHBG, and prolactin.
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DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) - The DUTCH Complete (adrenal and sex hormone) can help identify the root causes of hormone imbalances in both men and women. The test includes markers providing information about adrenal (stress) hormones as well as reproductive hormones (oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone).
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Organic Acids Test (OAT) - includes 76 urinary metabolites that provide a comprehensive snapshot of a person’s overall health as the initial screening test and is useful for discovering underlying causes for chronic illness.
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Mycotoxin testing for mould exposure - this is an overlooked and prevalent issue in the UK
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Adrenal stress hormone test - This test can detect imbalances in the daily circadian secretions of the stress hormones cortisol and DHEA. Imbalances in these hormones can indicate an inappropriate response that can negatively impact energy levels, emotions, and many other health complaints.
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Food intolerance testing via IgG
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Viral & other infection antibody testing
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Also:
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Cholesterol
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Diabetes (HBA1C)
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Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Folate, Zinc
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Liver, kidney health
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Full blood count
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Full iron/anaemia panel
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Functional testing can be useful in obtaining answers about what is driving your symptoms, and getting to the 'root cause' of what is going on a bit faster. It is used in conjunction with other tools of assessment including analysing your diet and lifestyle. As well as more specialist nutritional and functional medicine tests, I can advise on which tests can be requested through your GP.
The intention is not to diagnose a condition, however testing can be a useful tool to rule out potential disease and provide a base line measure to understand progress through interventions.
Tests I recommend are carried out by professional industry recognised laboratories and are analysed using saliva, blood, urine or stool samples.
Tests include: