Functional Testing: The Foundation of Your Personalised Protocol

Getting to the Root of Your Health Challenges

When you work with me, we don't guess—we test. Functional testing is an integral part of my programmes, giving us the precise data we need to understand what's happening beneath the surface and create a truly personalised plan for your recovery.

These aren't tests you can typically access through your GP, and they go far beyond standard blood work to reveal the subtle imbalances affecting your energy, hormones, digestion, and overall vitality.

Below are the functional tests I most frequently recommend as part of your personalised programme. During our initial consultation, I'll help you understand which test(s) will give us the most valuable insights for your specific situation.

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)

  • HTMA reveals your mineral status and heavy metal burden through a simple hair sample. This test shows me your body's mineral patterns over the past 2-3 months—information I can't get from blood tests.

    What it tells us:

    • Your mineral reserves (magnesium, zinc, calcium, etc.)

    • Heavy metal accumulation

    • Adrenal and thyroid function patterns

    • Metabolic rate indicators

    • How well your body handles stress

  • I often include this when you're experiencing: persistent fatigue, thyroid issues, hair loss, anxiety, stubborn weight concerns, or signs of burnout.

DUTCH Complete Hormone Test

  • The gold standard for hormone assessment. DUTCH analyses dried urine samples collected throughout the day, giving us a comprehensive map of your hormone patterns—not just a snapshot.

    What it reveals:

    • Complete sex hormone profile (oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone)

    • Cortisol rhythm throughout the day

    • How your body metabolises hormones

    • Melatonin levels affecting sleep

    • Nutritional cofactors for hormone health

  • I recommend this for: menstrual cycle issues, perimenopause/menopause, fertility concerns, sleep disturbances, mood issues, or when hormones are clearly part of your picture.

Adrenal Stress Profile

  • This test tracks your cortisol and DHEA at four points throughout the day, revealing your stress response pattern and adrenal function.

    What it shows:

    • Your daily cortisol rhythm

    • Whether you're producing too much or too little cortisol

    • How chronic stress has affected your adrenal function

    • Your resilience and recovery capacity

  • I include this when you're: exhausted despite rest, relying on caffeine to function, struggling to fall or stay asleep, experiencing energy crashes, or showing signs of burnout.

Organic Acids Test (OAT)

  • One of the most comprehensive metabolic snapshots available. The OAT analyses 76 markers in your urine that reveal how efficiently your cells are working.

    What it uncovers:

    • Cellular energy production

    • Neurotransmitter metabolism

    • Gut bacterial and yeast overgrowth

    • Nutritional deficiencies

    • Detoxification capacity

    • Mitochondrial function

  • Particularly useful for: chronic fatigue, brain fog, mood disorders, complex cases not responding to other interventions, or when we need a broad metabolic overview.

Comprehensive Stool Profile

  • An advanced analysis of your digestive health, revealing the state of your gut microbiome, inflammation, and digestive function.

    What it analyses:

    • Beneficial and pathogenic bacteria

    • Parasites, yeast, and other pathogens

    • Digestive enzyme function

    • Inflammation and immune markers

    • Intestinal permeability indicators

    • Short-chain fatty acid production

  • I recommend this for: menstrual cycle issues, perimenopause/menopause, fertility concerns, sleep disturbances, mood issues, or when hormones are clearly part of your picture.

    Essential for: digestive symptoms, food sensitivities, skin conditions, autoimmune issues, mood concerns, or when gut health is clearly compromised.

Comprehensive Thyroid Panel

  • A thorough thyroid assessment that goes beyond basic TSH testing to reveal the complete picture of your thyroid health.

    Full panel includes:

    • TSH, Free T3, Free T4

    • Reverse T3 (thyroid hormone resistance)

    • Thyroid antibodies (TPO and Thyroglobulin)

    • Assessment of conversion and autoimmunity

  • I recommend this when: you have unexplained weight gain, persistent fatigue, hair loss, feeling cold, mood issues, or you've been told your thyroid is "normal" but symptoms persist.

Full Iron Panel

  • A comprehensive assessment of your iron status that goes beyond basic ferritin testing to reveal the complete picture of iron metabolism and storage.

    Complete panel includes:

    • Serum iron

    • Ferritin (iron storage)

    • Transferrin saturation

    • TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity)

    • UIBC (Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity)

    What it reveals:

    • Whether you're truly iron deficient or have poor iron utilisation

    • Your iron storage levels

    • Signs of iron overload

    • Inflammatory factors affecting iron

    • How well you're transporting and using iron

  • I include this when: you have persistent fatigue, hair loss, heavy periods, restless legs, breathlessness, difficulty concentrating, or when standard ferritin testing doesn't tell the full story.

Liver Function Test

  • A comprehensive assessment of your liver health and detoxification capacity—essential since your liver is responsible for processing hormones, filtering toxins, and over 500 metabolic functions.

    Panel includes:

    • ALT and AST (liver enzyme markers)

    • ALP (alkaline phosphatase)

    • GGT (bile duct function)

    • Bilirubin (breakdown product processing)

    • Albumin and total protein

    • Additional markers for liver health assessment

    What it reveals:

    • How well your liver is functioning

    • Signs of liver stress or inflammation

    • Detoxification capacity

    • Protein synthesis ability

    • Bile production and flow

  • I recommend this when: you have hormonal imbalances (your liver processes hormones), digestive issues, exposure to toxins or medications, skin conditions, fatigue, or as part of assessing your overall detoxification capacity.

Essential Nutrients Panel

  • A comprehensive assessment of key nutrients that are fundamental to energy production, immune function, hormone balance, and overall vitality.

    Panel includes:

    • Vitamin D

    • Vitamin B12 and Folate

    • Full Blood Count (CBC) - assessing red and white blood cells

    • Zinc and Copper

    • Omega-3 Index/Fatty Acid profile

    What it reveals:

    • Nutritional deficiencies affecting energy and mood

    • Immune system function

    • Signs of anemia or infection

    • Mineral imbalances

    • Inflammatory status via Omega-3:Omega-6 ratio

    • Cardiovascular and brain health markers

  • I recommend this when: you're experiencing fatigue, low mood, frequent infections, poor recovery, hair loss, skin issues, or as a baseline assessment—particularly important for postpartum women who are often depleted.

How Testing Fits Into Your Programme

During Your Initial Consultation We'll discuss your symptoms, health history, and goals. Based on this, I'll recommend which test(s) will give us the most valuable information for creating your protocol.

Testing Phase Most tests use simple at-home collection kits sent directly to you. You'll receive clear instructions for collection and returning your samples.

Results & Protocol Development Once results are back, we'll have a detailed consultation where I explain your findings and create your personalised nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle plan based on the data.

Ongoing Support Testing gives us a baseline and roadmap. As part of your programme, we'll track your progress and adjust your protocol as your body heals and rebalances.