Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we recommend a blood test before the first consultation?
As a clinical nutritionist, I prefer to review blood test results before your first visit because they provide a clear starting point for understanding your current health. I also like to use these results as a tracking tool—we can retest over time to measure improvements and check progress. This ensures that your nutrition plan is not only personalised but also monitored for effectiveness, helping us adjust strategies as your health evolves.
Why do we recommend gut microbiome testing?
I recommend gut microbiome testing because the digestive microbiome is one of the most well-understood systems in the body and can be assessed through a simple, non-invasive stool collection. The gut is recognised as a central regulator of health, influencing virtually every aspect of physical, psychological, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Microbial signatures are strongly correlated with various diseases, and identifying specific species provides valuable direction for targeted treatment strategies. I value both qualitative and quantitative information from these tests, as they allow me to track progress over time and retest to ensure that interventions are leading to measurable improvements.
Why do we recommend Organic Acids Test (OAT)?
I recommend the Organic Acid Test (OAT) because it provides a detailed snapshot of how your body is functioning at a cellular and metabolic level. This simple urine test measures key organic acids that reflect energy production, nutrient status, detoxification capacity, gut microbiome balance, and neurotransmitter activity. By identifying functional imbalances—such as nutrient deficiencies, poor mitochondrial function, or microbial overgrowth—the OAT helps uncover underlying contributors to symptoms like fatigue, digestive issues, mood changes, and poor concentration. With this information, we can create a targeted nutrition and lifestyle plan that addresses the root causes of your health concerns, rather than just managing symptoms.
How is Genetic Testing different from regular blood tests?
Blood tests provide a snapshot of your current health, such as vitamin levels, cholesterol, or inflammation markers. Genetic testing, on the other hand, looks at your DNA—your body’s blueprint—to reveal long-term patterns and predispositions. When combined, blood tests and genetic testing give us both present-time and future-focused information, allowing for more precise and comprehensive care.
Are test results and health information kept confidential?
Yes. All patient records and test results are handled with strict confidentiality in line with healthcare privacy regulations. Your information is used solely to guide your care.
What blood tests do we recommend as part of a comprehensive health assessment?
We recommend a comprehensive blood work panel as part of your initial assessment to provide a clear picture of your overall health status. These tests allow us to assess methylation pathways key markers such as homocysteine levels, serum folate, serum vitamin B12, serum zinc & copper and other important indicators of metabolic and cardiovascular health. By reviewing these results, we can identify underlying imbalances, monitor progress, and tailor a personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan that best supports your needs. Please contact us, and we will provide you with a referral letter to arrange your blood test.
How can we get gut microbiome tested?
We partner with several leading functional testing laboratories that specialise in advanced gut microbiome analysis. Through these partnerships, we can arrange a range of high-quality functional tests tailored to your individual needs. Testing is simple and non-invasive, typically involving a stool sample that is analysed for microbial diversity, balance, and function. The results provide valuable insights into how your gut health may be influencing digestion, immunity, metabolism, and overall wellbeing, allowing us to create a personalised treatment plan based on your unique microbiome profile.
Why do we recommend Genetic Testing?
We recommend DNA testing because it provides a powerful foundation for truly personalised healthcare. Unlike standard tests that only show your current health status, DNA testing reveals your unique genetic makeup and how it influences nutrient metabolism, detoxification, hormone balance, and overall disease risk. This allows us to move beyond a “one-size-fits-all” approach and design tailored nutrition and lifestyle strategies that are specific to you. The process is safe, quick, and non-invasive, and because your DNA does not change, it can identify potential health risks years before symptoms appear. With this knowledge, we can focus on prevention, track your progress over time, and give you the best chance of maintaining long-term health and wellbeing.
Why do we recommend tests?
I recommend tests such as gut microbiome analysis, the Organic Acid Test (OAT), genetic testing, and comprehensive blood work because together they give us a complete picture of your health. Each test provides unique insights—your microbiome reveals the balance of good and bad bacteria, the OAT shows how well your body is producing energy and processing nutrients, genetic testing uncovers predispositions that influence how you respond to food and lifestyle, and blood work highlights your current nutrient levels and metabolic status. By combining this information, we move beyond assumptions and apply precision nutrition—an approach that tailors your diet, supplements, and lifestyle strategies specifically to your biology. While these tests provide valuable insights, they are entirely optional and will only be recommended if they are relevant to your health goals. This
ensures your plan is evidence-based, highly personalised, and designed to achieve lasting improvements in health and wellbeing.