What do I test?

Your hormones all work together much like an orchestra does, with each section working together to create a beautiful harmony. But if one section is out of time, it messes with the entire harmony and it is exactly the same with your hormones. They all work together, cueing off from one another so if one hormone is out of balance, it can affect them all. I use state of the art testing to identify the levels of your hormones and how they are working (or not working!) together. Key markers: • Oestrogen, oestrone and oestriol and their metabolites • Progesterone and metabolites • DHEA, testosterone and metabolites • Cortisol and cortisone - the stress hormones • Melatonin - the sleep hormone • Dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline • B12, B6 and glutathione Who might benefit? • You cannot lose weight no matter what you try or diets that used to work now make no difference • You have been diagnosed with a hormone condition e.g. endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids • You suffer with PMS • You are peri or menopausal • You have irregular cycles or heavy/painful periods • You have difficulty maintaining a pregnancy • You suffer with menstrual migraines • You suffer with anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, low mood, hot flushes, libido changes, night sweats or weight gain

An underactive thyroid can often be a factor in why the weight will not shift, you are constantly exhausted amongst low mood, bloating or brain fog - especially around times of hormonal shifts such as pregnancy, postpartum or approaching menopause. When dealing with any thyroid condition or thyroid related symptoms is it so important to get a full thyroid panel. Often TSH and T4 are tested for but this is only part of the thyroid picture. I run the complete thyroid panel including TSH, FT4, FT3 and thyroid antibodies so I can understand exactly what is happening with your thyroid, any weaknesses and work on addressing the root cause and not just your symptoms. I also include select nutrient markers which are important for thyroid function and energy production. Key markers: • TSH • FT4 • FT3 • Thyroid peroxidase antibodies • Thyroglobulin antibodies • Active vitamin B12 • Full iron panel • Folate • Vitamin D • CRP Who might benefit? • You are suffering with either hypo or hyperthyroid symptoms, especially if you have been told your bloods are normal but are still symptomatic • You have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition but symptoms have not resolved • You have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition but have never had your thyroid antibodies checked • You cannot lose weight no matter what you try or diets that used to work now make no difference

It doesn’t get more personalised than DNA testing! We are all genetically unique so utilising genetic testing helps to identify any genetic variants so I can understand where you might require some targeted support. One gene variant can have a significant impact on your health and symptoms, but often it is the combination of multiple variants that will have the biggest impact. I use DNA reports that focus on specific areas so I can understand the impact of multiple variants. The reports also focus on variants where diet, lifestyle and environmental factors have an impact. Who might benefit? • You are on birth control so it isn’t possible to run the hormone panel • You have been diagnosed with a hormone condition e.g. endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids • You suffer with PMS • You are peri or menopausal • You been diagnosed with a thyroid condition • You are taking thyroid medication but still symptomatic • You have a family history of thyroid conditions

“All disease begins in the gut” - Hippocrates Gut health affects the entire working of the body so it is important to understand the health of the gut, even if you don’t have any specific gut symptoms. Now you might be thinking what has the gut got to do with my weight, energy or hormones? Well… • we need optimal gut function to absorb nutrients required by our hormones and cells to work properly and create energy • some hormones are metabolised in the gut including activation of around 20% of thyroid hormones • hunger hormones are secreted in the gut which signal to the brain telling it when we are hungry or full • hormones are eliminated through the gut so a sluggish gut can contribute to hormonal imbalance • digestive issues and gut inflammation can raise our stress hormone cortisol • around 70% of the immune system is found in the gut tissue which plays a role in how ‘tolerant’ the immune system is to food, pathogens and anything else to pass through the GI tract. I utilise a comprehensive stool test with the latest technology which provides a DNA-based assessment of the gut microbiome all from just one stool sample. Key markers: • Beneficial and pathogenic bacteria • Yeast and fungal markers • Parasites and viruses • Helicobacter Pylori • Gut inflammation • Gut enzymes • Gut immune system markers • Zonulin (leaky gut marker) Who might benefit? • You suffer with fatigue, brain fog, joint aches, anxiety, depression, migraines, weight gain or feeling hungover • You have been diagnosed with IBS, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis • You suffer with any digestive issue e.g. bloating, indigestion, flatulence, constipation, diarrhoea, pain, cramping • You have a diagnosed autoimmune condition or have autoimmunity in your family • You have been diagnosed with a hormone condition e.g. endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids • You suffer with PMS

Stress has such a huge impact on your hormones and can be a big factor in weight gain and energy levels. Understanding your cortisol pattern throughout the day and your resiliency to stress helps to target support where it is needed. Key markers: • Cortisol and cortisone • DHEA-S Who might benefit? • You are very stressed or have difficulty managing stress • You are exhausted in the mornings even after a good night's sleep • You have difficulty sleeping and wake up during the night • Your energy levels fluctuate throughout the day • You cannot lose weight no matter what you try or diets that used to work now make no difference • You have been diagnosed with a hormone condition e.g. endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids or are peri or menopausal