Laboratory Tests

Diagnostic tests add a further dimension to the therapeutic benefits of a nutritional programme. Results enable a more targeted approach as they can help identify potential underlying causes and reveal areas of biochemical, nutritional and functional imbalances.

The well-established laboratories selected operate to National External Quality/ ISO standards. With the requisite approval, test fees may often be covered by Private Health Insurance.

Allergy, & Food Intolerance Profiles

• Blood tests measure immune reactions to foods, beverages, seasonings, colourings and additives. Also inhalants
• Gluten sensitivity (with specific marker for Coeliac Disease)
• Candida antibodies (also available as a saliva test).

Hormone Profiles

A range of blood, saliva or urine tests designed to assess hormone levels including:

• Adrenal hormones
• Thyroid hormones
• Female hormones & Male hormones
• Also specific profiles eg; PCOS, Menopause, Melatonin.

Nutritional Profiles

Assessments of Vitamin, Mineral, Fatty acids and Amino acid status, as well as toxic element exposures.

Metabolic Profiles

Includes assessments of:

• Urine Organic Acids (relevant to energy metabolism and other cellular processes)
• Homocysteine levels (implicated in a variety of clinical conditions)
• Insulin resistance profile (closely linked with obesity & occurs when the body becomes less responsive to insulin, includes assessment of cholesterol and triglycerides).

Digestive & Stool Profiles

Various tests offered which can help to assess a wide range of intestinal conditions.

• Stool analyses offer non-invasive diagnostic assessments of markers of digestive function, pancreatic function, gut flora, parasite screen, & worms.[Unlike tests you may have seen on TV, these tests are conducted in the privacy of your own home and samples are sent to the laboratory for analysis!]
• A urine test can detect increased permeability of the intestinal mucosal barrier ('leaky gut') which may be implicated in a number of health disorders and food intolerance.
• Helicobacter pylori (bacteria implicated in gastritis and gastric ulcer formation)
• Lactose Intolerance.

Other Specialist Profiles include:

• Chronic Fatigue Screen (Assessment of Adrenal stress hormones & Metabolic analysis)
• Cardiovascular Risk Assessment (Full Cholesterol profile, Triglycerides, Homocysteine, C-reactive protein, Apolipoproteins, Lipoproteins, Fasting Glucose and Fibrinogen)
• Detoxification Capacity Profile (Functional liver clearance of caffeine, aspirin & acetaminophen)