Why testing can be SO valuable along your health journey.

Test don't guess

You may have found the internet and Facebook groups awash with testimonials of products, foods, supplements, or herbs curing people's chronic symptoms overnight. Or perhaps you have followed others' exact protocols and been disappointed to learn these don't work for you..

Although there are some extremely helpful and basic health protocols we can all follow for good vagina and bladder health, dealing with a chronic issue needs a personalised, and even better, data driven approach in my view.

Testing can be incredibly insightful to inform a bespoke diet and lifestyle plan, which can steadily re-balance the body and encourage better health.  Tests can either confirm a hypothesis about an individual's health, or point us to look at other root causes (some of which may not be obvious).

Where do I start? What tests are available?

Initially, you may want to know 'what' tests to do and 'who' will do them.

There are many available, and which one will benefit an individual is driven by symptoms and a full health history. This requires detailed health and symptom analysis.

Tests are available to explore the microbiome of the gut, vagina and bladder, reporting bacteria (pathogenic or beneficial), yeasts such as candida and some inflammatory markers. These are very insightful for women experiencing ongoing vaginal or bladder issues and want more answers.

Others report the state of bodily functions such as hormones, thyroid health, adrenal health, white and red blood status, micronutrient status, toxins, genetic influences etc. This is not an exhaustive list, but just a snapshot of some of the most common tests. These are useful to help us find drivers of chronic symptoms, so we can specifically address these in a protocol going forward.

Note: there are variations in testing methods and testing quality amongst similar sounding tests so its always advisable to do your research or consult a specialist to guide you and avoid unnecessary expenditure.

Who will do them?

In terms of 'who' can do these tests there are generally 3 options - via your GP or Healthcare Consultant, with a practioner like myself, or ordered by you directly from a lab. In the case of the latter, some labs will sell direct to customers e.g. micronutrient status with companies such as Medichecks, but many sell to the customer via a practioner given the complexity and knowledge needed to interpret the results.

In the first place, I would always advise anyone experiencing symptoms to go to their GP. GP's can perform many basic tests to give you a first layer of insight into a health issue.

Depending on symptoms, this may be enough or a client may want more information. This is particularly relevant if symptoms are chronic; there are a range of excellent private tests which can provide another layer of insight. Often, the exploration can be deeper and more detailed than that carried out with by a GP.

Of course, these private tests cost money. Many offer part payment plans, and the insight they generate can be so significant to one's health journey, the pay back is worth it.

Having said this, if the tests are unaffordable, much information can be gained from detailed case taking, and this can be used to inform a plan going forward.

How I work with clients and testing?

In an initial consultation, I will always want to see test results from a GP or Consultant from the last few years. This can be very informative for my personalised plan of action.

Secondly, if a client's symptoms and health journey warrant further testing via the GP I write to them requesting this. This keeps your medical provider informed and is free of charge. Examples of testing in this instance include basic hormone checks, iron status, thyroid status, a MCU (mid culture urine stream) or vaginal swabs. These all give a certain level of insight to help me work with a client.

Thirdly, if I think a client will benefit from a specific private test, I will discuss this in person, explaining the parameters, possible insights, collection methods etc. It is always up to the client whether they want to carry out the test, and I can order this for them. Collection of specimens is often done at home.

Interpreting the test results and incorporating these into a plan

Tests results can be a bit tricky and confusing to understand without prior training and knowledge. Also, it's important they are reviewed in the context of a client's symptoms and heath history (which I'm trained to do).

I thoroughly review the results as stated, and use these to inform my overall plan of action for the client. Results can inform dietary interventions, supplement choice, lifestyle changes etc.

If relevant, I will inform a client's GP or Consultant of test results we find, to ensure a joint up approach to a client's health going forward.

If you are interested about testing and want to chat further, book a 20 discovery call today.