Functional Testing Services in Aberdeenshire | Nutritional Therapy
Have you been told your standard blood tests are "normal," but you still feel exhausted, bloated, or just completely "off"?
As a BANT registered nutritional therapist based in Aberdeenshire, I look at the body as a whole connected system. While testing is never compulsory, for clients navigating gut issues, thyroid imbalances, or disordered eating recovery, getting a deeper look inside can be absolutely life-changing.
Rather than just looking at isolated symptoms, I interpret your results in the context of your full health history to build a truly personalized nutrition and lifestyle plan.
The Specialist Tests I Use to Understand Your Health at a Deeper Level
1. Gut Health & Microbiome Testing
Your gut is the foundation of your health. Advanced stool and microbiome testing goes far beyond standard medical tests to evaluate your unique ecosystem of gut bacteria, digestive function, and markers of inflammation. It also tests for pathogenic bacteria and parasites, alongside digestive function markers, such as pancreatic elastase and calprotectin. Helpful in revealing imbalances, dysbiosis, leaky gut and pathogens that standard tests do not cover.
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Ideal for: IBS-like symptoms, chronic bloating, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, skin conditions (like eczema or acne), low mood, and autoimmune concerns.
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Why it matters: Improving your gut health is often the first, most crucial step in resolving systemic symptoms and supporting long-term wellness, especially when there is little clarity in the causes behind the symptoms.
Standard NHS blood tests are excellent for detecting disease, but they often use very broad reference ranges. I look at comprehensive blood panels through a functional lens to identify optimal ranges for vitality, especially when looking at full thyroid panels, iron storage, and nutrient status. This panel includes advanced thyroid profiling (TSH, free T4, free T3, thyroid antibodies), full iron profile, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate (vitamin B9), HbA1C, inflammatory markers and homocysteine (optional addition).
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Ideal for: Persistent fatigue, unexplained weight changes, brain fog, mood issues, or when you feel unwell but have been told your standard tests are "fine."
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Why it matters: This helps us catch sub-clinical imbalances (like optimal thyroid function) before they progress into more severe issues.
2. Comprehensive Blood Testing
3. DUTCH Testing (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones)
The DUTCH test is the gold standard for hormone testing and also my go-to hormone test. Unlike standard blood tests that only give a single snapshot in time, the DUTCH test measures your hormone (oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA) production and, crucially, how your body metabolises them throughout the day. It also tracks your daily cortisol and cortisone patterns to assess stress and adrenal function.
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Ideal for: Severe PMS, perimenopause, menopause, low libido, burnout, poor sleep, and hormonal acne.
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Why it matters: Understanding how your body clears hormones allows us to target the root cause of hormonal imbalances safely and effectively.
The Organic Acids Test is a simple urine test that provides a comprehensive metabolic snapshot of your body. It evaluates over 70 metabolic markers for your cellular energy production, neurotransmitter breakdown, nutrient deficiencies, oxidative stress, gut bacteria and yeast overgrowth markers.
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Ideal for: Chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, brain fog, recurrent thrush, or consistently low energy levels.
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Why it matters: It helps us pinpoint exact metabolic blocks, showing us exactly where your body is struggling to turn food into energy.
4. OAT (Organic Acids Test)
5. Mycotoxin Testing
Mycotoxins are toxins produced by mold. If you have been exposed to water-damaged buildings, these toxins can get trapped in the body, causing chronic, systemic inflammation that mimics other conditions.These can be hidden drivers for multi- system symptoms. This test screens for most clinically significant mycotoxins, such as ochratoxin A, aflotoxins and trichothecenes.
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Ideal for: Unexplained fatigue, recurring respiratory issues, brain fog, joint pain, or chronic symptoms that strangely began after moving into a new property.
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Why it matters: If mold illness is the root cause of your fatigue or gut issues, traditional protocols won't work until we support your body's specific detoxification pathways.
Sometimes, the issue isn't a lack of good gut bacteria, but rather that bacteria have traveled to the wrong place. SIBO occurs when bacteria overpopulate the small intestine, where they ferment food too early, creating heavy gas production. This non-invasive at-home kit measures hydrogen and methane gases in your breath.
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Ideal for: Intense or immediate bloating after eating, severe gas, abdominal cramping, and alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation.
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Why it matters: If SIBO is driving your IBS symptoms, standard probiotics or high-fiber diets can actually make you feel worse. Identifying SIBO allows us to use specific, targeted protocols to clear the overgrowth and heal the gut lining.
6. SIBO Breath Testing (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
7. Food Sensitivity Testing (IgG Panels)
Unlike a structural or immediate food allergy (IgE), food sensitivities (IgG reactions) involve a delayed immune response. This blood-spot test checks how your immune system reacts to a wide variety of foods, identifying hidden triggers that may be driving low-grade, systemic inflammation.
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Ideal for: Chronic digestive discomfort, skin flare-ups, joint pain, unpredictable headaches, or fluid retention that you can't seem to link to a single meal.
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Why it matters: Because IgG reactions can take up to 72 hours to appear, a test helps eliminate the stressful guesswork. We use these results as a temporary roadmap to design a safe, non-restrictive elimination and reintroduction strategy, which is crucial for supporting your health without triggering disordered eating habits.
How It Works: The Testing Process
1. Selection & Ordering (With or Without Your Consultation)
We will map out which tests are right for you or, if ordering a standalone test, we can chat which test would be most suitable for you. I handle all the ordering behind the scenes with our accredited laboratory partners.
2. Fast Home Delivery:
Direct to your doorstep. Your specialised testing kits (such as your SIBO breath test, DUTCH, or stool kits) will be shipped directly to your home with clear, easy-to-follow instructions.
3. Sample Collection:
In your own time. You collect your samples in the comfort and privacy of your own home, then use the prepaid return packaging included in the kit to send them straight back to our accredited laboratory partners for analysis.
4. Clinical Interpretation & Strategy:
Translating data into steps. Once the lab processes your samples, the raw data comes directly to me. I spend time analysing your biomarkers collectively, mapping them against your day-to-day symptoms and history. During a dedicated follow-up consultation, I translate these complex markers into clear, actionable terms and hand you your completely personalised, step-by-step nutrition and lifestyle protocol.
Ready to stop guessing and start knowing?
If you are ready to uncover the root cause of your symptoms and receive a personalised roadmap back to vibrant health, let's chat.
Meet Laura
Functional Testing in Aberdeenshire & Online
Hi, I’m Laura — a Registered Nutritional Therapist, Naturopath, and Health Coach (mBANT, CNHC). I support individuals across Aberdeenshire and online who want to get to the root of their symptoms. If you’re tired of guesswork, umbrella advice, or being told your standard lab test results are completely "fine" while you still don't feel right, functional testing offers a targeted, data-led, evidence-based way forward.
Rather than relying on restriction or generic rules, functional testing allows us to look under the hood at your unique biochemistry, whether that’s investigating gut health, hormonal imbalances, nutrient status, or stress pathways. My role is to translate these clinical insights into a clear, personalised roadmap that works with your body, not against it.
My approach combines rigorous science with a safe, weight-neutral space. Functional testing isn't about chasing perfection or fixing a "broken" body, but rather about giving us the clarity needed to nourish your nervous system, restore balance, and create a realistic plan that helps you feel vital and well again.
What Clients Say About Working With Me
If you’re feeling unsure about reaching out, you’re not alone. Many people I work with felt hesitant at first — especially if they’ve tried lots of things already or been told their tests were “normal”.
Here are a few words from clients who’ve worked with me for gut health support, bloating, IBS, and digestive symptoms:
Ready to book your free discovery call?
If you're tired of piecing together generic advice or trying to guess what’s driving your symptoms, this free, relaxed discovery call is your chance to gain some clarity. In our call we can talk about:
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What you’ve been experiencing so far (gut issues, fatigue, hormonal shifts, or stubborn discomfort).
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What you’ve already tried including the GP appointments, diet overhauls, or supplements that haven't given you the full picture.
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How functional testing works and can uncover your unique situation instead of relying on trial and error.
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Whether my functional testing and naturopathic approach aligns with what you need.
There’s absolutely no pressure to commit, but simply a chance for us to connect, discuss your options, and see if functional testing is the key to helping you finally feel like yourself again.
FAQs about Functional Testing
1 / Do I have to do functional testing?
No, testing is entirely optional. We can achieve incredible results using dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments, and targeted supplement protocols based on your symptoms alone. Testing simply provides a shortcut to finding the exact root cause.
2 / How do functional tests work?
Most functional tests (like the DUTCH test, OAT, and Mycotoxin tests) are simple urine or stool kits that you can complete in the comfort of your own home. Blood tests can be arranged via a local phlebotomy service in Aberdeenshire, your local area or via a simple finger-prick kit.
3 / Can you interpret tests I’ve already had done?
Yes. If you have recent blood work from your GP or another practitioner, please bring it to your initial consultation. I always review existing data before recommending new tests to save you time and money.
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