FUNCTIONAL TESTING

The Gastrointestinal Microbiome Mapping test is an advanced stool analysis that provides a comprehensive assessment of digestive function, the gut microbiome, and gastrointestinal health. By analysing a single stool sample, this test helps identify the underlying drivers of digestive symptoms and provides valuable insight into how gut health may be influencing skin conditions, hormone balance, immune function, metabolism, and overall wellbeing.

Key assessments:

• Parasites & Worms – Detects common gastrointestinal parasites and helminths that may contribute to digestive symptoms, nutrient deficiencies, fatigue, and chronic inflammation.

• Bacterial & Viral Pathogens – Identifies infectious organisms that may be responsible for acute or chronic gastrointestinal symptoms.

• Fungi & Yeast – Assesses fungal overgrowth, including Candida species, which may contribute to bloating, food sensitivities, skin conditions, and immune dysfunction.

• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) – Detects H. pylori infection, a common contributor to reflux, gastritis, stomach ulcers, nutrient malabsorption, and altered stomach acid production.

• Beneficial Gut Bacteria – Evaluates the abundance and diversity of beneficial bacteria that support digestion, immune function, nutrient production, and intestinal health.

• Opportunistic & Dysbiotic Bacteria – Identifies bacterial overgrowths and microbial imbalances that may contribute to inflammation, IBS symptoms, acne, eczema, metabolic dysfunction, and altered gut-brain signalling.

• Digestive Function – Measures markers of pancreatic enzyme production, protein digestion, fat digestion, and overall digestive capacity.

• Intestinal Barrier Function – Assesses markers associated with intestinal permeability ("leaky gut") and gut barrier integrity.

• Inflammation & Immune Function – Measures markers of intestinal inflammation and gastrointestinal immune activity to identify inflammatory processes affecting gut health.

• Short Chain Fatty Acids & Metabolic Function – Evaluates microbial metabolites involved in maintaining gut lining integrity and regulating inflammation.

• Hormone Detoxification – Assesses bacterial enzymes involved in oestrogen metabolism and hormone recycling within the gut.

This test is particularly useful for investigating symptoms such as bloating, reflux, IBS, constipation, diarrhoea, food intolerances, skin conditions, fatigue, autoimmune conditions, recurrent infections, hormonal imbalances, and unexplained digestive symptoms. By identifying the underlying contributors to gut dysfunction, we can develop a personalised treatment plan to restore microbial balance, improve digestion, and support long-term health.

The SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) Breath Test is a non-invasive test that measures hydrogen and methane gases produced by bacteria within the small intestine. Normally, the small intestine contains relatively low levels of bacteria. When bacteria overgrow or colonise this area, they ferment carbohydrates prematurely, producing excess gas that can contribute to a wide range of digestive and systemic symptoms.

This test helps identify whether bacterial overgrowth is present, the type of gas being produced, and the severity of the overgrowth, allowing for a more targeted treatment approach.

Key assessments:

• Hydrogen-producing SIBO – Identifies bacterial overgrowth commonly associated with diarrhoea, bloating, abdominal pain, food intolerances, and malabsorption.

• Methane-producing Overgrowth (IMO) – Measures methane gas produced by intestinal methanogens, often associated with constipation, slow gut motility, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.

• Gas Production Patterns – Assesses the timing, quantity, and pattern of gas production to help determine the location and severity of overgrowth.

• Carbohydrate Fermentation – Evaluates how bacteria ferment lactulose or glucose during the test, providing insight into bacterial activity within the small intestine.

• Small Intestinal Function – Helps identify whether bacterial overgrowth may be contributing to impaired digestion, nutrient malabsorption, intestinal inflammation, or altered gut motility.

This test is particularly useful for investigating symptoms such as persistent bloating, excessive gas, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, reflux, nausea, food intolerances, IBS, unexplained nutrient deficiencies, fatigue, brain fog, and recurrent digestive symptoms. By identifying the type and extent of bacterial overgrowth, we can develop a personalised treatment plan to address the underlying cause, restore healthy gut function, and reduce the risk of recurrence.

The DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) is an advanced functional hormone test that measures hormones and their metabolites from a series of dried urine samples collected throughout the day. Unlike standard blood testing, it provides a detailed overview of hormone production, metabolism, detoxification pathways, and adrenal function, helping identify where hormonal imbalances are occurring and which pathways require support.

Key assessments:

• Oestrogen – Measures oestrone (E1), oestradiol (E2), and oestriol (E3), as well as how your body metabolises and detoxifies oestrogen through the 2-OH, 4-OH, and 16-OH pathways.

• Progesterone – Assesses progesterone production and its metabolites to evaluate ovulation, luteal phase function, and progesterone availability.

• Androgens – Measures testosterone, DHEA and their metabolites to assess androgen production and identify patterns contributing to acne, hair loss, PCOS, low libido, or fatigue.

• Adrenal Function – Evaluates free cortisol, cortisone, the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), daily cortisol rhythm, and cortisol metabolism to assess stress resilience and HPA axis function.

• Hormone Metabolism & Detoxification – Identifies how efficiently hormones are activated, converted, and cleared from the body, highlighting pathways that may require support.

• Melatonin – Assesses melatonin production to provide insight into sleep quality and circadian rhythm.

• Neurotransmitter Metabolites – Includes markers related to dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin metabolism, providing insight into mood, motivation, focus, and stress resilience.

• Nutritional & Oxidative Stress Markers – Includes functional markers for vitamin B6, vitamin B12, glutathione status, oxidative stress, and methylation support, all of which play important roles in hormone production and detoxification.

This test is particularly useful for investigating symptoms such as PMS/PMDD, irregular or absent menstrual cycles, infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, perimenopause and menopause, acne, hair loss, fatigue, weight changes, low libido, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and chronic stress. It allows us to identify the underlying drivers of hormonal dysfunction and develop a highly personalised treatment plan targeting the specific pathways that require support.

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a non-invasive laboratory test that measures mineral levels and toxic elements within a small hair sample. Because hair stores mineral information over several months, HTMA provides valuable insight into long-term mineral status, heavy metal exposure, metabolic patterns, and the body's ability to adapt to stress.

Key assessments:

• Essential Minerals – Measures key minerals including Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Iron, Selenium, Manganese, Chromium and others involved in hundreds of biochemical processes.

• Mineral Ratios – Evaluates important mineral relationships that influence adrenal function, thyroid health, nervous system regulation, blood sugar control, inflammation, and energy production.

• Heavy Metals – Screens for toxic elements including Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium and Aluminium that may interfere with normal cellular function.

• Adrenal Function – Assesses mineral patterns associated with chronic stress, adrenal resilience, nervous system activity, and recovery capacity.

• Thyroid Function – Identifies mineral patterns commonly associated with altered thyroid activity and metabolic rate.

• Metabolic Type – Evaluates whether the body is functioning with a faster or slower metabolic rate based on mineral patterns.

• Blood Sugar Regulation – Assesses mineral patterns involved in insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and carbohydrate tolerance.

• Detoxification Capacity – Provides insight into the body's ability to eliminate toxins based on mineral reserves and heavy metal burden.

HTMA is particularly useful for investigating fatigue, burnout, anxiety, ADHD, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, poor stress resilience, hair loss, chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and long-term nutrient deficiencies. It allows us to identify underlying mineral imbalances that may not be detected through standard blood testing and develop a personalised treatment plan to restore optimal function.

The Organic Acids Test (OAT) is a comprehensive urine test that analyses more than 70 functional biomarkers involved in metabolism, nutrient status, gut health, detoxification, neurotransmitter function, and cellular energy production. It provides a detailed overview of how the body's biochemical pathways are functioning, helping identify the underlying drivers of complex or chronic health concerns.

Key assessments:

• Gut Microbial Metabolites – Identifies markers associated with bacterial and fungal overgrowth, including Candida and other forms of gastrointestinal dysbiosis.

• Oxalate Metabolism – Measures oxalate markers that may contribute to joint pain, kidney stones, inflammation, vulvodynia, chronic pain, and nutrient depletion.

• Mitochondrial Function & Energy Production – Evaluates the Krebs Cycle and other pathways involved in cellular energy production and fatigue.

• Carbohydrate Metabolism – Assesses glycolysis, glucose metabolism, and the body's ability to efficiently produce energy.

• Fatty Acid Oxidation – Evaluates how efficiently fats are utilised for energy production.

• Neurotransmitter Metabolism – Measures metabolites associated with dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, and adrenaline pathways involved in mood, motivation, focus, and stress resilience.

• Vitamin & Nutrient Status – Identifies functional markers for B vitamins, vitamin C, CoQ10, glutathione, amino acids, and other essential nutrient cofactors.

• Oxidative Stress & Detoxification – Assesses markers associated with oxidative damage, antioxidant capacity, and detoxification pathways.

The OAT is particularly useful for investigating fatigue, brain fog, chronic gut symptoms, anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, recurrent infections, mould exposure, mitochondrial dysfunction, and complex chronic illness. It allows us to identify hidden biochemical imbalances and create a highly personalised treatment plan targeting the pathways requiring support.

The Vaginal Microbiome Mapping test provides a comprehensive assessment of the vaginal microbiome, identifying the bacteria, fungi, and inflammatory markers that influence vaginal health. Rather than simply identifying infection, this test helps determine why recurrent symptoms continue to occur by assessing the balance of protective and opportunistic microorganisms.

Key assessments:

• Protective Lactobacillus Species – Measures beneficial bacteria responsible for maintaining a healthy vaginal pH and protecting against infection.

• Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Organisms – Detects bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis and vaginal dysbiosis.

• Yeast & Fungal Species – Identifies Candida species and other fungal organisms contributing to recurrent thrush and irritation.

• Sexually Transmitted Pathogens – Screens for a range of sexually transmitted organisms where included within the testing panel.

• Inflammation & Immune Response – Assesses inflammatory markers associated with vaginal irritation and immune activation.

• Vaginal Microbial Diversity – Evaluates the balance of protective and opportunistic microorganisms to assess overall vaginal ecosystem health.

This test is particularly useful for investigating recurrent thrush, bacterial vaginosis, vaginal odour, abnormal discharge, pelvic discomfort, painful intercourse, urinary symptoms, infertility, and persistent vaginal symptoms that fail to respond to conventional treatment. By identifying the specific microbial imbalances contributing to symptoms, we can develop a personalised treatment plan aimed at restoring a healthy vaginal microbiome and reducing recurrence.

The Oral Microbiome Mapping test analyses the bacteria, fungi, viruses, and inflammatory markers present within the mouth. As the oral microbiome is closely connected to both gut health and systemic health, this test helps identify microbial imbalances that may contribute to oral disease as well as chronic inflammation throughout the body.

Key assessments:

• Beneficial Oral Bacteria – Evaluates bacteria that support a healthy oral microbiome and protect against disease.

• Pathogenic Oral Bacteria – Detects bacteria associated with gum disease, tooth decay, chronic inflammation, and systemic health conditions.

• Oral Microbial Diversity – Assesses the balance and diversity of the oral microbiome.

• Inflammatory Markers – Measures markers associated with periodontal inflammation and immune activity.

• Biofilm Formation – Identifies bacteria capable of forming persistent biofilms that may contribute to recurrent oral disease.

• Systemic Disease Associations – Identifies oral bacteria associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, Alzheimer's disease, pregnancy complications, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

This test is particularly useful for investigating bleeding gums, bad breath, recurrent dental issues, chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions, digestive dysfunction, and persistent oral symptoms. By identifying microbial imbalances within the mouth, we can develop a targeted treatment plan to improve oral health while supporting overall systemic wellbeing.