Functional Testing is particularly useful for assessing people’s health from a nutritional perspective. Many people will be told that although they don’t feel very well their blood tests are fine. For these people carrying out testing to look at function rather than a disease can have a dramatic effect on their health and enables the Nutritional Therapist to create a targeted dietary and supplemental programme.

There are too many laboratory profiles available to mention them all but here is an outline of the most popular ones :

  • Functional Blood Testing revealing what traditional blood analysis doesn’t. Includes up to 80 Markers and provides a detailed report indicating body systems and nutrients that need additional support
  • Food Intolerances will show if you have an intolerance to a food which should stop being a problem once the food has been avoided for about six months.
  • The DUTCH Test - Dried Urine Test Cortisol and Hormones - in their words DUTCH offers the most extensive profile of sex and adrenal hormones along with their metabolites. Additionally, the daily (diurnal) pattern of free cortisol is included along with melatonin and other important functional markers. This unique combination of clinical information is not available by any other method.
  • It is also possible to carry out an Additives Profile, Inhalant Panel, Dairy and Grain Panel and Gluten Sensitivity.
  • Digestive and Stool Analysis is a functional test looking at fat, carbohydrate and protein digestion, short chain fatty acids produced by intestinal microflora, microbial balance, yeasts and is frequently used in cases of digestive disturbance.
  • Hair Mineral Analysis is an incredibly useful tool for assessing mineral levels from a cellular perspective i.e. what is going on in the cells/tissues which is where we need our nutrients to be and also looks at minerals is also great for looking at toxic elements. A small amount of hair is taken in ½ to 1” snips close to the scalp is taken & sent to the laboratory. Once assessed your get a comprehensive report explaining your body’s level of nutrient minerals and toxic metals mineral ratios, A list of recommended foods – and those to avoid, food allergy indicators, body chemistry balance analysis, supplement recommendations and metabolic assessment and details on obtaining the minerals recommended to you.
  • Hormone Profiles are available for both men and women.
  • A female hormone panel may be useful if suffering from PMS, fertility issues, fluid retention, heavy bleeding, menstrual irregularity, low libido, infertility, acne, poly cystic ovaries, endometriosis or ovarian cysts. Once the information is received this helps the practitioner to assess specific nutrients to support overall hormonal balance.
  • There are a number of hormone panels available fro both men and women to assist in helping individuals improve their wellbeing.
  • Comprehensive Adrenal Panels are great for clarifying over or under production of stress hormones which could result in symptoms such as chronic fatigue, insomnia, depression, migraines, recurrent infections, menstrual difficulties and infertility.
  • Organic Acids Test evaluates intestinal yeast, yeast, vitamin and mineral needs,
  • Nutritional Therapists when taking blood do this to assess potential nutritional imbalances in the diet and DO NOT take blood to test for the presence, cause of extent of disease, disorder or injury.