Immune health

Autoimmune Disease is now considered to affect 1/10 people in the UK, yet is still poorly understood, diagnosed and managed by the conventional system. Treatments exist for many conditions, the basis of which is to suppress the immune system, calming the immune response. This however does not address the reason for the autoimmunity. Medications are often the only option for patients, side effects of medications can be significant and result in their own symptoms.

Testing in this field may overlap with other systems, such as digestive health where our gut microbiome may need support in defence from potential pathogens, so specific panels looking at immune cells and regulating these, such as “T helper cells”. Infection panels looking at past and inactive infections such as Epstein Barr, Lyme disease can also help identify a root for autoimmune disease.

To find out more about Autoimmune disease in my practice please click here

Nutritional analysis

According to the World Health Organization, every country in the world is affected by one or more forms of malnutrition. Nutritional imbalances are often root cause contributors to disease. Correcting these imbalances can result in optimized health and well-being. Tests include a variety of biomarkers and assesses the body's functional need for antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, digestive support, and other select nutrients. Many tests have “add on” s so a bespoke sample can be obtained based on your clinical assessment.

Nutritional assessment can help to identify areas for intervention, and help to tailor interventions based on clinical indications.

Metabolic health

Metabolic dysregulation is a cluster of symptoms such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, blood sugar imbalances, insulin resistance and being overweight. One in three adults (over the age of 50) in the UK are affected. Western medicines approach to management is often the use of long term medications to control and regulate these measures without understanding the key drivers. Medications can have side effects and other impact on health.

Functional tests in this area include advanced bio markers relevant to the condition, these may include inflammatory markers, liver function, oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk markers.

Like any system, there is interrelation with others, metabolic health is closely linked with gut dysbiosis and menstrual health, often relevant to fertility and peri menopause.

Metabolic dysregulation, has some unmodifiable aspects, e.g genetic predispositions, ethnicity, gender and age factors that we can not change, with the correct guidance, these can be managed with diet and lifestyle.

Digestive health

Comprehensive stool analysis provides a complete profile of your digestive health to be assessed. Testing in gut health, is one of the core areas of investigation to unpacking your health picture. Imbalances in our gut microbiome can impact our overall health

The health of your gut lining, level of inflammation, evidence of parasites and the abundance of your gut microbiome can be key markers to understanding gastro intestinal health symptoms such as constipation, diarrhoea, bloating and diagnoses of IBS and IBD.

The importance of gut health spans beyond digestive, with 70% of our immune cells residing in the colon, our defence and tolerance to pathogens can be regulated by strengthening of gut health and supporting immunomodulation. .

The gut brain axis is well established, understanding our gut health can support other conditions such as mental health, (90% of Serotonin, the feel good hormone) resided in the gut. The health of our gut microbiome can regulate, mood, stress, reactivity, anxiety as well as hormones communicating fullness (satiety).

Samples can be completed at home; the results will be analysed and interventions provided in a session with me.

Nutrigenomics

Genomics is the study of genes and their products, to which we are all unique.

Nutrigenomics is a subset of genomics which focuses on genes that relate and respond to nutrition and lifestyle interventions.

Nutrigenomic testing, can provide an inight into how well you absorb and use specific nutrients, and therefore this may affect your nutrient need. Our genes impact the production of sex hormones, neurotransmittiers, energy pathways. Understanding our individual nuances, and potential genetic SNPs can provide clear decisions on how we support our genetic potential. Lifecode GX are the leading experts in the field, offering the most up to date tests and science based support.

Indicative pricing for common tests

Prices are a guide only and may change. I will confirm the current cost before you order.

Hormonal testing

Precision Analytical

  • DUTCH Complete (adrenal + sex hormones) Dried urine analysis for a comprehensive hormone picture. £220
  • DUTCH Cycle Mapping + Complete sex hormone analysis £381

Digestive health

  • Doctor's Data GI360 comprehensive stool analysis Looks for pathogens, viruses, parasites and bacteria in chronic gut symptoms. £315
  • SIBO breath test (lactulose or glucose) £144

Immune health panels

Cyrex Laboratories

Cyrex specialises in antibody testing. Each array focuses on a specific area of immune reactivity, including responses linked to foods, tissues and other potential triggers.

Arrays can be bought individually or as a bundle. If a sample has already been sent, further arrays can be added later if more testing is needed.

Example tests and recommended retail prices (RRP) are below. Bundles are also available.

  • Total serum IgG/IgA/IgM (GAM)£211
  • Array 2: Intestinal antigenic permeability screen£356
  • Array 5: Multiple autoimmune reactivity screen£845
  • Array 11: Chemical immune reactivity screen£488
  • Array 18: Alzheimer's LINX£793
  • Array 20: Blood-brain barrier permeability£356
  • Array 22: Irritable bowel/SIBO screen£396

Nutritional analysis

Genova Diagnostics

  • NutrEval®£625
  • Essential & metabolic fatty acids analysis£175
  • Oxidative Stress 2.0£243

Functional testing may be recommended to assess nutritional imbalances and inform personalised diet and lifestyle recommendations to support wellbeing

  • Functional tests provide detailed data relating to how a system (s) in your body is functioning, they move beyond a reference range and can help understand the ways in which a particular system is working. Testing can guide decisions, and monitor interventions. This can be very beneficial to provide targeted support and your health outcomes.

  • There are 1000s of functional tests, varying in price, sampling approach (blood draw, saliva, urine and stool), many of which can be completed at home. Functional tests can provide both reassurance and direction in many clients. Advice and guidance as to what is appropriate for you, will be given.

  • Any tests will be discussed in our consultation, and a sample test can be provided.

  • If some tests are available on NHS, I will support you in asking for these (for example Cholesterol, Blood glucose levels, Full Blood count) we will ensure that the NHS pathway is used initially, we may then decide after this to delve deeper based on these results, through a functional test.

  • Many tests are not available on the NHS, but can be key to outcomes, such as hormone panels, auto immune panels. I will support you to prepare for the test and engage with laboratory test companies where needed.

  • I partner with top laboratories in the UK, Europe, and the USA, including Cyrex, Genova Diagnostics, Precision Analytical, Invivo Diagnostics, Functional Dx, Colabs, Vivo Health, Regenerus Laboratories, Viva Health Laboratories, and Lifecode Gx.

  • Due to the wide array of tests and price range, these are not included in my pricing and remain at your discretion

Functional testing

Hormonal health

Hormones are produced through our endocrine system, which is linked to organs including thyroid pituitary, brain, adrenals and reproductive organs. The production of hormones can be affected by our lifestyle and nutrition.; for example the basis of reproductive hormones is cholesterol, often considered the bad guy in health, but eating food that can support our reproductive hormones can be crucial at various life stages.

Cortisol, a regulatory hormone in our body can be a driver of ill health if we are continually producing cortisol, our body is unable to “rest and digest”. Elevated cortisol can affect our metabolic health, hormone dysregulation and mood.

Hormone panels can be relevant for fertility, hormone imbalances, menstrual disorders and irregularities, along with understanding our bodies response to and level of cortisol.

Tests analyse our response to cortisol, our metabolism and detoxification of sex hormones as well as precursor nutrient levels for sex hormone production.

Examples of tests include the DUTCH test and an OAT panel.