Functional Testing
I will often recommend functional testing in clinic. It isn’t necessary; however, it can often speed up identifying the root cause of symptoms and remove some guesswork.
Been a functional medical practitioner, I have a wide range of testing available to me in clinic.
The most common I use are the GI360 stool test, the DUTCH test for measuring hormones (a urine test), a thyroid blood test and DNA testing using LifeCodeGX reports.
LifeCodeGX test, and analyse, an individual’s epigenetics (the individual’s genes that have the ability to be turned ‘on’ and ‘off’ through diet and lifestyle).
There are many more functional tests available to me but these I find are the most useful.
Please note: the price of testing is not included with the consultation package prices
GI360 Complete (stool test)
The GI360 Complete offers a comprehensive stool profile using PCR technology, culture, and microscopy to detect pathogens, viruses, parasites, and bacteria linked to chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. It also evaluates digestion, inflammation, immunology, short-chain fatty acids, and intestinal health markers like beta-glucuronidase.
This test is useful for anyone who has food intolerances, skin issues such as rashes or acne, brain fog, joint pain, anxiety or low mood and digestive problems such as bloating, IBS or fatigue.
How to take the test
The test requires 3 stool samples, preferably taken over 3 consecutive days (but not essential). The first 2 samples require refrigeration, whilst the 3 sample must be frozen for at least 6 hours before it is sent to the lab. All equipment needed for the test is provided in the test kit.
Prices start at £370
a payment plan spreading the cost over 3 months or 4 months is available at the time of booking
DUTCH Complete (taken over 24 hours)
DUTCH testing (Dried Urine for Comprehensive Hormones)
The DUTCH test (an easy to-do at home urine test taken over 24hrs – DUTCH Complete; or one month – DUTCH MAPPING).
The DUTCH Complete test evaluates 35 sex and adrenal hormones, including oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol, with metabolites. It also measures daily free cortisol and cortisone patterns, 8-OHdG, melatonin, and nine organic acids, including markers for B12, B6, biotin, glutathione, dopamine, norepinephrine/epinephrine, neuroinflammation, and tryptophan putrefaction, offering insights into hormonal and metabolic health
Who should take this test?
This is ideal for post-menopausal women, anyone taking the oral contraceptive pill, anyone taking HRT and females who do not want to take the test for a whole month (ideal for younger clients).
Clients taking this test who do have a cycle should take it between days 19-22 of a regular 28-day cycle. Follow instructions on when to take the test if your cycle is longer or shorter than this.
When should you consider this test?
Consider DUTCH Complete to identify the root causes of sex hormone and adrenal imbalances. It provides insights into conditions like PMS, PMDD, PCOS, menopause, weight gain, fatigue, low libido, sleep issues and mood disorders, hormonal bloating, anxiety, acne, heavy or painful periods, endometriosis, headaches and migraines.
It also offers baseline measurements for hormone replacement therapy administration and monitoring.
How to take the test
The test requires 4 urine samples throughout one 24-hour period, beginning at 5pm of one day and continuing until 2-hours after waking of the next. Sample cards are provided, and each card should be fully dried over the next 24-hour period before sending them back to the lab. The sample cards are suitable for freezing if they cannot be returned immediately when dry.
Prices start at £249
a payment plan spreading the cost over 3 months or 4 months is available at the time of booking
DUTCH mapping (taken over one month)
DUTCH testing (Dried Urine for Comprehensive Hormones)
The DUTCH test (an easy to-do at home urine test taken over 24hrs – DUTCH Complete; or one month – DUTCH MAPPING).
DUTCH Cycle Mapping™ with Complete provides a comprehensive view of a woman’s menstrual cycle, assessing progesterone and oestrogen patterns alongside 35 sex and adrenal hormones, including metabolites. It tracks daily free cortisol and cortisone, oxidative stress marker 8-OHdG, melatonin, and nine organic acids. This aids in addressing month-specific symptoms, infertility, and hormone imbalances.
Who should take this test?
This is ideal for anyone from puberty to menopause who is not using an oral contraceptive pill. This test can be taken if you are using a Mirena coil. Not for anyone post-menopausal or using HRT. This test can still be used if cycles are irregular or absent.
When should you consider this test?
Consider DUTCH Cycle Mapping with Complete for detailed hormone assessment in scenarios such as infertility, irregular cycles, PCOS, and fluctuating hormonal symptoms (PMS, spotting, migraines).
It also provides insight into symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, low libido, sleep issues and mood disorders, hormonal bloating, anxiety, acne, heavy or painful periods and endometriosis.
How to take the test
This test requires a urine sample each morning throughout a whole month, beginning on day 7 of your cycle (day one is the first day of your bleed) and ending when you begin your next bleed. On day 4 of your next cycle you are required to do a further 4 urine samples throughout one 24-hour period, beginning at 5pm of day 4 and continuing until 2-hours after waking of the next.
Sample cards are provided, and each card should be fully dried over a 24-hour period. The sample cards are suitable for freezing whilst you are collecting for the whole month.
Prices start at £390
a payment plan spreading the cost over 3 months or 4 months is available at the time of booking
Thyroid blood test
This blood test measures T4 (thyroxine), T3 (triiodothyronine), thyroid antibodies (to identify potential autoimmunity), TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels, along with vitamin B12, B9, vitamin D, ferritin (stored iron levels), CRP (measuring inflammation).
The thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland that sits in the base of your neck, produces hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development and impacts various bodily functions like heart rate, body temperature and energy levels.
A poorly functioning thyroid will often result in symptoms such as low mood, irregular periods, thinning hair or eyelashes, dry skin, weight gain, dry skin, muscle aches or brain fog.
This test requires a blood draw and it is recommended you seek the help of a medical professional, rather than a home draw kit.
Prices start at £89
DNA testing using LifeCodeGX genetic reports
Nutrigenomics (also known as nutritional genomics) is broadly defined as the relationship between nutrients, diet, and gene expression
Lifecode Gx® are the leading experts in nutrigenomics testing and education, applying the latest genomics science to enable a preventative, proactive and personalised approach to health.
Nutrigenomic testing enables us to look in detail at our DNA, so we can understand our unique personal health ‘blueprint’. Small but important differences in our genetic make-up (‘SNPs’) can have significant impacts on our life and health - from hormones to heart, metabolism to mental health, and much more.
Your DNA will never change so these tests only need to be taken once. You then have the information for life.
The following reports are available. I would recommend you book a discovery call with me to discuss which reports would suit you best.
Nutrient Core
Hormones
Detoxification
Nervous System
Thyroid Balance
Histamine Intolerance
Methylation
Prices start at £399 for one report, £525 for two reports or £925 for 5 reports. These prices include the testing kit.
How to take the DNA sample
A sample of cheek cells is collected using the DNA test kit from which DNA is extracted and analysed. It takes just 2 minutes to collect the sample, place the swab in the test tube with the stabilising tablet, complete and sign the consent form and place everything in the return packaging provided
Vitamin D Blood test
Do you feel tired all the time, rundown or have muscle aches and pains?
A good place to start investigating these symptoms would be to have your vitamin D levels checked.
Or if you supplement with vitamin D, checking levels at least once a year to check you're using the correct dosage is also a great idea.
Prices start at £39