Advanced testing

blood chemistry screen

genetic thyroid function

adrenal stress profile

comprehensive gut test

comprehensive hormone panel

Why I recommend advanced testing

Every body is unique.  The 'one size fits all' standard medical approach may not work for everyone.  If you’re suffering symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, anxiety, mood swings, digestive issues, sleep disturbances etc and you haven't got anywhere with conventional medicine, using advanced testing digs deeper in to your biochemistry to identify underlying imbalances - and may provide the missing link!

I want my clients to achieve optimal health and advanced testing offers a number of benefits:

Validation, empowerment and motivation
Being told everything is normal when your symptoms tell you otherwise is very disempowering.   There's nothing like seeing something on paper to validate your own experience and kick-start your commitment to getting well.  Test results help remind you why you are making changes and stick to the programme!

Limits guesswork
With my training and experience I am pretty intuitive when assessing a client's symptoms and case-history, however our bodies are complicated and I don't know everything!  I use relevant testing to provide additional information which guides my personalised recommendations.

Provides baseline data to measure progress
Testing gives me a baseline to work from so I can make better-informed recommendations.  This is especially important around the safe dosing of certain food supplements.  It also means we can measure progress such as improving vitamin D status or monitoring thyroid antibody levels, for example.

A personalised programme for faster results
Because I'll have a better understanding of your unique imbalances, I can recommend interventions that are personalised for you and no-one else!   This provides the opportunity for more effective and faster results.  ​

What tests are used

Blood chemistry screen (blood draw)
Provided by Medichecks

Full blood count: RBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCH, MCHC, MCV, RDW, WBC count, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosionophils, basophils, platlets, MPV
Liver function: bilirubin, ALP, ALT, GGT
Kidney function: urea, uric acid, creatinine, eGFR, 
Proteins and enzymes: total protein, albumin, globulin, creatine kinase
Cholesterol status: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, non-HDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol : HDL
Iron panel: iron, ferritin, TIBC, UIBC, % transferrin saturation
Thyroid function: TSH, FT4, FT3, thyroid peroxidase antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies
Key nutrients: vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, magnesium
Blood sugar marker: HbA1c
Inflammation marker: HS-CRP

Thyroid function influences a number of bodily processes which can be reflected in a blood chemistry screen.  Additionally, as many thyroid symptoms are non-specific, other markers that are out of range may be contributing to similar symptoms.  A blood chemistry screen is a key baseline test - like an MOT!

​You may have had blood tests done by your doctor and told they are normal.  However, the standard medical ranges used to assess blood results are wide and based on population averages rather than optimal health ranges which are narrower.  Whilst falling within the normal range rules out any medical concern of disease, results falling within the normal range but outside of the optimal range may cause symptoms.  Using optimal health ranges not only shows us the areas to focus on and rebalance but also those areas that are functioning well and don't need attention!

Genetic thyroid function (saliva sample)
Provided by Lifecode GX

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis: CAPZB, FKBP5, GPX1, PDE8B, TG, TSHR
Autoimmune development: CTLA4, FOXE1, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, PTPN22
Inflammation: CD40, FCRL3, GC, IL6, TNF, VDR
Thyroid hormone transport: SLCO1B1, SLCO1C1
​Thyroid hormone activation: BCO1, DIO1, DIO2, GC, VDR
​Thyroid hormone metabolism: SULT1A1, SULT1E1, UGT1A1

DNA testing is the ultimate in a personalised programme!  We are all genetically unique (unless you're an identical twin!) and DNA testing tells us our own genetic variants.  Understanding how relevant genes are genetically programmed helps to identify your potential weaknesses in thyroid function.  

​Chronic disease often results from the interplay between multiple genetic variants and environmental factors.  Not only does this test look at genes involved in the thyroid life-cycle (synthesis, transport, activation and metabolism) but it also includes genes that code for thyroid-supporting processes such as the utilisation of vitamins D and A, as well as factors that negatively affect thyroid function such as stress and poor detoxification.    

The results of your genetic test aids interpretation of thyroid blood results and provides an understanding of how to best-support your pre-programmed thyroid function.

This test is valuable if:

• You have a diagnosed thyroid condition
• There are thyroid problems in your family
• You are taking thyroid medication but not feeling better

Adrenal stress profile (saliva sample)
Provided by Genova Diagnostics

Hormones: DHEA, cortisol awakening response, cortisol
Inflammation: SIgA

Stress hormones are produced and released by your adrenal glands.  Many thyroid sufferers need adrenal support because stress is a major driver of thyroid imbalances.  Understanding your cortisol pattern throughout the day can identify your resiliency to effectively manage everyday stressors and helps target support where it's needed, be that at the beginning, middle or end of the day.

This test is valuable if:

• You can't get going in the mornings
• You have fluctuating energy levels
• You have increased energy in the evenings which impacts your sleep - tired but wired!
• You are very stressed or not able to manage stress very well

Comprehensive gut test (stool sample)
Provided by Invivo Healthcare

Host markers: beta defensin 2, calprotectin, pancreatic elastase 1, SIgA, zonulin, bile acids, occult blood (FIT)
Microbiome analysis: commensal bacteria, bacteroides sub-group, opportunistic bacteria, sulfidogenic bacteria, LPS releasing bacteria
Indicators of infection: mycology, parasitology, helicobacter pylori stool antigen

The health of your gut environment is important for everyone!  But specifically to those with thyroid conditions for a few reasons:

• Approximately 20% of thyroid hormone activated in the gut, so a compromised gut environment may affect your thyroid function
• 70-80% of your immune system is in your gut tissue, so special attention to gut health is necessary for those with autoimmune thyroid conditions
• Lastly, if you are taking thyroid medication you want to be absorbing it effectively so you can utilise it!  So a gut evaluation can identify if you need support with digestion and absorption.

A comprehensive assessment of gut health uses advanced technology to provide a DNA-based assessment of your gut microbiome.  It evaluates your digestion and absorption capability, signs of inflammation and presence of undesirable bacteria or parasites.

This test is valuable if you have:

• Any kind of digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, indigestion, acid reflux, pain or cramps
• A diagnosed inflammatory bowel condition such as IBS, Chron's disease, ulcerative colitis or diverticulitis
• Autoimmune disease
• Other symptoms which may be caused by microbiome imbalances such as migraines, fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, joint pain or weight changes.

Comprehensive hormone panel (DUTCH test urine sample)
Provided by Precision Analytical Inc.

Adrenal hormones: DHEA, cortisol, cortisone
Sex hormones: estrogen (E1, E2, E3), progesterone, androgens and estrogen metabolism
Nutrient status: vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and glutathione
Neurotransmitter metabolites: dopamine, norepinephrine/epinephrine and melatonin

The interplay between thyroid hormones and stress, sex and sleep hormones is significant.  Imbalances in one hormone always has a knock on effect to other hormones.  This state of the art urine test gives a comprehensive view of your stress, sex and sleep hormones and how they are working.  

This test is valuable if:

• You have PMS symptoms
• You have irregular menstrual cycles or heavy/painful periods
• You have a hormone driven condition such as PCOS
• You are having trouble conceiving or maintaining pregnancy
• You are menopausal
• You have fluctuating symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings, sleep disturbance, brain fog, temperature changes, libido changes and weight changes.

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