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Today I want to talk to you about something I am very passionate about - functional testing – because it holds the key to solving your hormonal imbalances and having a better period.
Remember how detectives use clues to solve mysteries? Well, as your nutritional therapist I'm like a health detective, and functional testing is my secret weapon for uncovering the root causes of your health concerns. No more wondering "why" – these tests can help us unlock the "what" and build a personalised plan to help you feel better. There’s something very empowering about having answers in black and white.
If you’re wondering what exactly functional testing is, let me explain. Simply put, it's a way to go beyond traditional diagnostics and peek deeper into your body's inner workings. We can assess things like:
Nutrient deficiencies: Are you missing out on essential vitamins and minerals?
Digestive health: What's behind your bloating or other digestive woes?
Inflammation levels: Is chronic inflammation silently impacting your well-being?
Hormonal imbalances: Are hormonal fluctuations causing unwanted symptoms?
Understanding these deeper factors helps us to create a roadmap to address them, not just manage symptoms. There’s so much information available to us as practitioners these days, all of which enables me to provide a bespoke programme for my clients because I truly understand their health.
Sadly, many of the tests I run are not available on the NHS, which means that you have to pay to access the information. In my clinical experience, this can definitely be worth considering, as it allows us to get to the root cause of your condition much more quickly.
So, let’s talk about why functional tests are a good investment in your health.
Here are 5 compelling reasons:
Personalised approach: Nutrition coaching is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Tests uncover your unique needs, leading to targeted nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement plans for optimal results.
Identify the root cause: Stop chasing symptoms and uncover the origin of the problem so you can address the underlying imbalances for long-term solutions.
Empowerment & knowledge: There are few things more empowering than gaining valuable insights into your body and taking full control of your health journey.
Preventative action: Functional testing can detect imbalances before they manifest as symptoms, empowering you to take proactive steps towards maintaining optimal health – and preventing future health concerns.
Improved well-being: How do you know you are getting all the essential nutrients your body needs? Testing can assess your nutrient status, and addressing imbalances can lead to increased energy, reduced symptoms, and overall better health. For some tests, we don’t just test once. Repeat testing can see how well you are progressing.
Here are some of my favourite tests that I frequently use in my clinic.
The DUTCH test is a hormone test that measures the levels of steroid hormones (sex hormones) and adrenal hormones (cortisol and cortisone) in the body.
This test is useful for looking at your overall hormonal health, particularly imbalances and signs of stress in the body. I really commonly use this test in my clients with PMS and PCOS and if they are missing their period (this is called amenorrhea).
Thyroid testing: By this, I mean a full thyroid panel. You can get a thyroid test at your GP, but they will only test TSH as standard. A full thyroid panel includes Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Free Thyroxine (FT4), Free Triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid antibodies to check for any autoimmunity in the thyroid.
Vitamin D testing: Again, your GP may do this, but some are reluctant, so I often find it easier to do it privately. Vitamin D is linked with hormone balance, that’s why it’s important to get the right amount. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to lower oestrogen, serotonin, and dopamine levels, which gives you a higher chance of depression. So I like to test it in my PMS and PMDD clients.
Let's talk if you would like any help with your hormone balance or want to do some function testing!
I am running a clinic open day on Friday, May 3rd, and Saturday, May 4th. You can book a no-commitment nutritional strategy call with me by clicking the link below. I would love to hear from you.
Catherine x
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