Functional Medicine & Testing
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a systems-oriented and science-based approach that works to identify and understand the root causes of disease rather than just treating the symptoms.
By recognising the biochemical individuality of each patient, this holistic approach looks at the individual as a whole and considers their medical history, genetics, nutrition, lifestyle and environment to understand the underlying triggers of disease.
This comprehensive analysis allows for direct personalised treatment plans to restore health in the present, as well as prevent disease in the future.
Why Functional Medicine?
Chronic disease is highly complex and can have many different symptoms, as well as many different causes.
Everyone has a unique set of circumstances so the causes of a disease in one person may be very different to the causes of the same disease in someone else.
Functional medicine empowers you to work closely with your practitioner in order to understand what factors in your personal health and lifestyle may be contributing to your condition.
We listen carefully to your story and personal circumstances so we can fully identify the underlying root causes and start the process of restoring health.
Functional Testing
Functional testing refers to science-based lab tests that are used to identify your unique biochemical makeup and the potential for disease. Testing rather than guessing takes your therapy to the next level, pinpointing specific imbalances and providing a detailed picture of what is going on in your body’s ecosystem.
We recommend the appropriate test for you, then clinically analyse your results and explain these to you so you understand why you feel unwell and what the best course of action is. This knowledge can then be applied to your personalised plan for more effective treatment targeting your specific needs.
How Does Functional Testing Work?
Functional tests cover a range of conditions by looking for specific biomarkers that indicate chemical imbalances in the body such as hormones, inflammation, immunity, digestion, absorption and the presence of bacteria, worms and parasites.
Most samples can be taken by yourself in the comfort of your own home for tests that require breath, bloodspot, saliva, stool or urine. Certain tests may require a blood drawn sample which can be arranged with our phlebotomist.
Testing depends on the needs of each individual patient and costs vary according to the type of test and laboratory used.
Below are some of examples of the most frequently used functional tests, although many other tests are also available.
Which Functional Test Is Right For You?
Book a free discovery call to discuss your health situation and find out.
Adrenal Stress Profile
Your adrenal glands release different hormones into your body, including cortisol, which is your body’s main stress hormone.
Balanced hormones are an integral part of your overall health and having an imbalance in cortisol levels can lead to other hormone imbalances.
These hormones are released through a complex network of communications between your brain and adrenal glands known as the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. If miscommunication happens within the HPA-axis, adrenal fatigue occurs and can cause cortisol to be perpetually high, perpetually low, high when it should be low or vice versa.
If you are experiencing brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, blood sugar imbalances or weight gain, it is possible that you could have a cortisol imbalance as a result of adrenal gland dysfunction.
This test tracks your cortisol levels over a 24 hour period to measure the health of your adrenal system in response to stress.
Sample type: Saliva
Turnaround time: 10 days
Allergy & Food Intolerance Panel
The incidence of food sensitivities has increased dramatically over the years and it is estimated that up to 20% of the population have adverse reactions to foods, NSAID enteropathy, and post–infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
This test evaluates immune reactions to foods, food enzymes, lectins and artificial food additives.
It is recommended for patients with unexplained symptoms whether gastrointestinal, neurological, dermatological or behavioural in nature.
The test looks at levels of IgA and IgG antibodies that are created when you react to a food and measures reactivity to 90 food antigens in the cooked, raw, modified or processed form on the same panel.
Sample type: Blood (phlebotomy)
Turnaround time: 14 days
Coeliac & Gluten Sensitivity Profile
Coeliac Disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. It an immune response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, oats, barley, rye and other grains.
Symptoms may vary but include skin rash, muscle cramps, fatigue, flatulence, digestion problems or neurological issues. In some cases people may have no symptoms at all.
This is a blood test (phlebotomy or finger-prick depending on the laboratory) that measures important markers to aid in the diagnosis of Coeliac Disease including Total IgA, Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase IgA (tTG IgA), Anti-Deamidated Gliadin IgA (DGP IgA), and reflex Anti-Endomysial IgA (EMA IgA). Gluten sensitivity is assessed via Anti-Gliadin IgA and Anti-Gliadin IgG.
Sample type: Blood (phlebotomy)
Turnaround time: 10 days
Gastrointestinal (GI) Health & Microbiome Profile
This is a comprehensive analysis of the GI ecosystem and chronic disease-related microbial (bacteria, yeast, parasites) markers that offers valuable insight into digestive function, absorption, intestinal inflammation, and the intestinal microbiome.
Gut health is essential to the health of the whole body. If your gut biome is imbalanced, it can lead to a wide array of symptoms and chronic conditions such as leaky gut, IBD, SIBO, H. pylori and dysbiosis.
This test can be extremely helpful for those who have suspected IBS and other gastrointestinal issues.
Sample type: Stool
Turnaround time: 15-17 days
BOOK A FREE DISCOVERY CALL
Discuss your health condition with us and find out which Functional test is right for you.
Hormone Panel
The DUTCH Plus is a combined panel that includes the DUTCH Complete and the DUTCH CAR (Cortisol Awakening Response).
It offers an extensive profile of sex and adrenal hormones plus melatonin, 8-Hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and six organic acids. The DUTCH CAR examines the overall diurnal pattern of free cortisol, and the total distribution of cortisol metabolites.
Hormones play a fundamental role in our health. When properly balanced they go unnoticed. However, if levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone become unbalanced, symptoms can be severe.
These may include acne, hair loss, weight gain, low sex drive, infertility, changes in the menstrual cycle, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders.
Sample type: Saliva, Urine
Turnaround time: 10 days
Nutritional Deficiencies
The NutrEval test evaluates over 125 biomarkers and assesses the body’s functional need for 40 antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, digestive support, and other select nutrients.
According to the World Health Organisation, every country in the world is affected by one or more forms of malnutrition. The term malnutrition addresses 3 broad groups of conditions:
- Undernutrition (wasting, stunting, underweight)
- Micronutrient-related malnutrition from inadequate or excess vitamins or minerals
- Overweight, obesity, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers)
Proper nutrition is key to preventing a number of diseases. Nutrients are necessary to feed every cell and ensure all body systems are functioning properly. Testing can help clinicians and patients gain an understanding of how nutritional imbalances may be impacting their health. Certain conditions or dietary, genetic, and lifestyle factors may predispose a person to having nutrient imbalances.
This test is ideal if you suffer from any of the following: mood disorders, cardiovascular disease, weight issues, insulin resistance, Type 2 Diabetes, autism, fatigue, poor digestion, malabsorption.
Sample type: Both blood (phlebotomy) and urine
Turnaround time: 14 days
Thyroid Panel
This test is a hormone test that provides a thorough analysis of thyroid hormone metabolism and pinpoints imbalances that underlie a broad spectrum of chronic illness. It includes central thyroid gland regulation and activity, thyroid production and secretion, peripheral thyroid conversion, and thyroid autoimmunity.
This test analyses serum levels of TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, anti-TG antibodies, and anti-TPO antibodies to assess central and peripheral thyroid function, as well as thyroid auto-immunity.
Thyroid hormones are essential and primary regulators of the body’s metabolism. Hormone imbalances can affect virtually every metabolic process in the body, exerting significant effects on mood and energy level.
This test is ideal if you have any of the following symptoms: anxiety, coldness, depression, weight gain, weight loss, headaches, poor skin, hair loss, fatigue, PMS and others.
Sample type: Serum (phlebotomy)
Turnaround time: 10 days
George Halicki2024-08-16Dear Carmen, I write with sincere gratitude for your advice to highlight the importance of diet. I can proudly report a weight loss of 36 kilos which I have continued to maintain over the last 9 months and a significantly reduced cholestoral level. Overall, feeling much healthier with a more active lifestyle thanks to your guidance. With a million thanks, George Halicki
Stephen Considine2024-08-15My experience with Carmen is excellent, she is very professional and knowledgeable. I visited Carmen for IBS related issues, her support and advice has greatly improved my IBS & overall health. She is very caring & I would highly recommend her for anyone - certainly with any gut health issues.
Nicola Adams2024-05-13Carmen is always the first person I contact if I have any health issues, she has always been fantastic, and helped with a few different issues in the past. My recent stomach issues were causing me daily discomfort and a constant feeling of unwell. Carmen advised on some tests, and supplements, and within a couple of weeks I saw improvement. I am now 100%, better than I have been in a while. I highly recommend Carmen and her wealth of knowledge.
Regina Guerrero2024-04-04Carmen is an outstanding nutritionist! She has unparalleled expertise and is incredibly dedicated. She is also a very warm and approachable person; always understanding and compassionate and very focused on improving her clients’ health. She has a very holistic approach to nutrition and health, which I think is essential! We have started working on addressing my IBS and other symptoms and can wholeheartedly say I recommend Carmen without reservations. Do not hesitate to book a consultation with her and also follow her on her Instagram account (@yournutritiondiets), where she gives excellent advice!
Bruno Witt2024-04-02I very much recommend booking an appointment with Nutrition Diets, Carmen's expert knowledge has helped me incredibly with my allergies and nutrition. I now have a much better understanding of what foods to eat/not to eat and it has been life changing. Carmen is very friendly, hard working and professional. I’m sure she can help with any health and well-being issues.
Viktoriya Valcheva2024-03-13I cannot recommend Carmen enough! When I found out I had Hashimoto a year ago my doctor prescribed me medication but it made things worse, I then sought nutritional therapy with Carmen. She reviewed my blood tests (every time I had them done by my doctors) encouraged me to fill in a diet diary which then she analysed and spoke about food I should focus on eating before creating a food plan plus prescribing nutritional supplements my immune system seemed to be lacking. I no longer have Hashimoto or at least it’s been put to sleep for now :)
Kerry Lynch2024-03-09For anyone looking for help regarding their health, I would highly recommend working with Carmen. She knows her stuff, and really cares about her clients. When I found Carmen, I'd been struggling for sometime with severe PMS symptoms and food sensitivities. I'd been working with another clinician on my food sensitivities and (after testing and getting results) they put me on a combination of various digestive enzymes, botanicals and a low fodmap diet. I went down to 50 kilos in weight, and my PMS went through the roof. Carmen immediately flagged up some concerns with this approach, and was particularly concerned with my liver - as I had been following the above regime for 3 months, without any liver support. I then went for an ultrasound (for an unrelated thing), and was told my liver was 3cm larger than what it should have been. We immediately changed direction, and I've felt huge improvements on all fronts!! It's a pleasure working with Carmen, and I feel like my health is in safe hands.
Alex Corg2024-02-19Eh, let me tell ya about Carmen, eh. She went through my microbiome tests and broke it down for me, eh. Helped me figure out what I gotta do to get my gut health back on track, eh. And let me tell ya, she's one friendly and nice person to have a chat with, eh. Great experience all around, eh.
Larissa2024-02-07Carmen has been amazing. The advice she provided has completely changed my way of eating and thinking. My diet was a complete mess and so was my gut and body, which all improved since the Initial Consultation. With Carmen's help, I have improved not only my dinner but also breakfast, snacks and lunches. I am seeing an improvement in my skin, I feel better generally and and I feel good in my own skin. Carmen is so knowledgeable and has a way of gently encouraging me. She’s patient, easy to talk and gave me confidence to implement the changes. I have so much more energy now, my gut is happy, my brain is sharp, my skin is bright, I feel balanced and vibrant. I feel so much better than I had hoped for. I highly recommend Carmen to anyone who wishes to transform their health. Thank you so much.
Anne-Emilie Boucaud2023-11-30Last year I contacted Carmen after a blood test revealed that I was in prediabetes. She helped me understand what was happening and guided me through my diet. Although I am in France we had appointments in visio, very convenient and easy. Now I understand better my metabolism and my blood tests are better than ever! Bye bye diabetes, bloating and discomfort! I even lost 10 Kg in the process!
