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Functional Lab Testing 

What is Functional Lab Testing?

Testing for hormone imbalances and gut health can be a very effective means of establishing your individual health status, to determine specific imbalances and deficiencies in order to develop a focused, personalised health optimisation plan for you. 

Through testing we are able to clearly see your current individual health status, and together establish changes to your diet and lifestyle, sometimes with supplement protocols in order to correct imbalances and restore deficiencies. 

Frequently used Functional Lab Tests

Functional Lab Testing isn’t always a necessity, I will only recommend tests if I believe there is a real need or clinical advantage. 

Tests that I frequently use include:

  1. Dutch Hormone Test – measures sex and stress hormone statuses and imbalances. 
  2. Thyroid Complete Test – measures full thyroid hormone status. 
  3. Nutrient, Vitamin & Mineral Status – measures key makers such as B vitamins, vitamin D, and iron.
  4. Gut Health Status – measures your microbiome (healthy gut bacteria).

I work with a variety of testing companies in the UK and US, and I am able to facilitate quality assured testing. I interpret your results, and work with you to translate them into an actionable health plan. 

Most of these tests are not typically available via the NHS or via your GP. 

Enquire

What can you expect from functional lab testing?

  • 1. Dutch Complete Test (Urine)

    This test evaluates 35 sex and adrenal hormones, including oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol. It measures daily free cortisol and cortisone, patterns, melatonin, and the nine organic acids that are key to hormone production and balance. 

    This test is very convenient as it can be done at home requiring just 4 urine samples taken over 24 hours. 

    Find out more about the DUTCH hormone test

  • 2. Comprehensive Thyroid Test (Blood)

    This test includes a complete profile of your thyroid hormones including TSH, T4, 43, reverse T3, and thyroid anti-bodies. Conventional tests offered by GPs typically only test TSH and T4, but a complete breakdown is required in order to understand and clinically help your subclinical thyroid symptoms. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, constipation, headaches, PMS, joint and muscle pain, and coldness.

    This test requires a blood sample which can either be a finger prick or blood draw at a local clinic. 

  • 3. Comprehensive Stool Analysis for Gut Health 

    This test assesses the complete health of the gastro intestinal (GI) tract and measures the gut health markers, such as bacteria, inflammation, digestion, and absorption. The test can reveal important clinical information about many common symptoms such as gas, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and constipation, as well as other GI complaints. It aids in the identification of root causes of digestive discomfort, and supports the identification of targeted treatment. 

    This test is carried out at home requiring up to 3 stool samples. 

  • 4. Wellness Complete (Blood)

    This test evaluates 42 biomarkers including liver function tests, HbA1c, vitamin D, Omega 6:3 ratio, iron/ferritin levels, and serum folate.

    This test requires a blood draw at a local clinic. 

  • 5. Wellness 360 Female (Blood)

    This test evaluates 42 biomarkers including liver function tests, HbA1c, vitamin D, Omega 6:3 ratio, iron/ferritin levels, and serum folate, as well as female hormone markers such as progesterone, oestrogen, testosterone. 

    This test requires a blood draw at a local clinic. 

  • 6. Vitamin D Test

    This is a convenient inexpensive at home blood prick test to determine your Vitamin D levels and to assess the need for supplementation. Vitamin D deficiency is common especially in people who are overweight and/or who have leaky gut and is linked with a number of common conditions I see in clinic including autoimmune hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, cognitive disorders, immunity and blood sugar control.

    This test requires a blood draw at a local clinic. 

  • 7. Cortisol Awakening & Adrenal Stress Profile (Saliva test)

    This test measures your Cortisol and DHEA levels and ratio between the 2 which are indicators of your metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins, your blood sugar levels, and any inflammation. DHEA regulates body weight, blood pressure and immune function and is used to make testosterone and estradiol. Too much or too little of cortisol or DHEA can lead to many symptoms such as weight gain, insomnia and fatigue and it is important that they are balanced in order to resolve these symptoms.

When to use Functional Lab Testing

Testing is not the entry point of the nutritional therapy process. Completion of the 5 page questionnaire, analysis and interpretation followed by an initial consultation would generally take place first and only after this process has been completed is testing considered and discussed with you as an additional option.

From my experience testing is by no means applicable to every client or essential for every clinical presentation but it can definitely be applicable and invaluable for some clients in order to guide nutrition and lifestyle changes to restore health more quickly, to track success of what is working and sometimes if only to show clients (who tell me they are not stressed) their stress hormone profiles so that they will be more compliant with their health plans.

Get in touch

To discuss your specific goals and learn more about how I can help, don’t hesitate to get in touch using the form below. Please note that my responses can sometimes end up in junk folders so be sure to check there.

Angela Loftus BSc, PGDip, DipION, CFMP, BANT, CNHC – a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner based in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, UK. 

Angela Loftus BSc, PGDip, DipION, CFMP is a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner registered with BANT (British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine) and CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council). She is based in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire and works with clients both in person and online across the UK.

Angela graduated as a Nutritional Therapist from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in 2015 and as a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner in 2021. She has spent ten years working with over 1,000 clients across a wide range of complex and chronic health conditions, with a specialism in female hormone health including perimenopause, menopause, PCOS, thyroid conditions and gut health.

Functional lab testing is central to the way Angela practises. As a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner she uses testing to move beyond symptom management and identify the specific biochemical imbalances driving each client’s condition, whether hormonal, nutritional, thyroid-related, or digestive.

She works with a range of testing laboratories in both the UK and the US, facilitates quality-assured testing for her clients, and interprets all results personally. Every test recommendation is made on clinical grounds, she will only suggest testing where she believes it provides a genuine advantage in developing a more targeted and effective programme for that individual client.