Laboratory testing
Do you wonder if you need a test to assess your health?
Laboratory testing maybe suggested if appropriate and relevant for you. This enables a more targeted approach for your programme. Your nutrition programme will be designed to correct or address any underlying issues that flag on your results. Sarah can also use blood tests you may have had with your GP if less than a year old.
Costs for testing will be discussed and is payable separately, test interpretation is included in the follow-up consultation fee. Most tests you can carry out in the privacy of your own home and then return by Next Day or Special Delivery to the laboratory. All results come to Matters For Health.
You are under no obligation to use a laboratory test, we can still work together without one. See below (click on headings) for examples of laboratory tests we use at Matters For Health.

Getting to the root cause through functional lab testing
This profile is recommended for clients with gastrointestinal-related symptoms, such as indigestion, discomfort, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, gas, IBS and diarrhoea. It is also recommended for clients who have any auto immune condition, fatigue, hormone imbalance, neuro degenerative issues, skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne or have had regular use of anti-biotics, chrons disease, ulcerative colitis, suffering with allergies or intolerances. We also recommend it for both females and males who are struggling with fertility issues. This test is carried out by a stool sample at home and posted off by yourself.
A comprehensive stool profile using PCR technology, culture, and microscopy to detect pathogens, viruses, parasites, and bacteria linked to chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. It also evaluates digestion, inflammation, immunology, short-chain fatty acids, and intestinal health markers like beta-glucuronidase. Gold standard microscopy is employed for visualizing parasites, worms, and yeasts, ensuring accurate identification and diagnosis.
YOUR GUT HEALTH IS THE FUNDAMENTAL BASE TO YOUR OVERALL HEALTH
The body is equipped with two vital structures that reside just above the kidneys – the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are the “stress glands” of the body, allowing the body to respond adequately to any stress that it encounters. When any stress is encountered, the adrenal glands release adrenalin to put the body into a “fight or flight” response which releases cortisol. Overtime the adrenals can become exhausted through on going stress, trauma, pregnancy, menopause for example. This saliva test can detect imbalances in the daily circadian secretions of the stress hormones cortisol and DHEA. Imbalances in these hormones can indicate an inappropriate response that can negatively impact energy levels, emotions, moods, overall wellbeing, fertility, hormone imbalance, hair loss, sleep issues, blood sugars and immune system to name a few.
The DUTCH Test for Women
The DUTCH Test UK is considered the gold standard for hormone testing. It also includes an adrenal test that can help identify the root causes of hormone and adrenal imbalances in women. It provides a comprehensive view of reproductive and adrenal hormones, as well as melatonin and oxidative stress. This test helps to identify the underlying causes of hormonal balances in women. There are different levels of DUTCH testing which Sarah can discuss with you. Useful for hormone imbalance, fertility issues, fatigue and mood swings, PCOS and endometriosis.
Have you been told your thyroid is ‘normal’ by your GP? But you still have symptoms eg depression, brain fog, fertility issues, anovulation, constipation, feeling cold, tired. The NHS tend to have broader guidelines when it comes to the result of the standard NHS test for thyroid being ‘TSH’. Also they often do not test for the more in-depth working of the thyroid called T4 and T3. At Matters For Health we offer TSH, T4, T3 and can also look at thyroid antibodies too. This gives a great overview of the thyroid and we can work to re align any imbalance.
The only nutritional testing of its kind– combines several methodologies and biomarkers to synthesize the results. This test profile will highlight any individual nutritional recommendations for:
- Anti-Oxidants
- B-Vitamins
- Minerals
- Amino Acids
- Digestive Markers including Yeast markers.
Add on’s to this test can analyse Fatty Acids (omega 3,6,9), some Genetics eg COMT, APOE and Heavy Metals.
Useful when struggling with Fertility issues, Fatigue, Ageing, Sporting health, Sleep issues, Poor Memory, Hormone imbalance, Emotional Imbalances, Inflammation e.g. joint pain.
Insights gained from the Metabolomix+ nutritional test allows our clinician to target nutritional therapies to meet your precise needs.
This unique profile requires only one first morning urine sample with easy at-home collection.
When opting for the ‘add on’s’ e.g. genetics or omega 3/6/9 this may require a blood spot or mouth swab, which you can do at home.
- Microbiome mouth swab. To assess the microbiome of your mouth. Potential ‘bad’ bacteria residing in the mouth have been linked to infertility. This is resolvable with the correct treatment that Sarah can advise on. This is mainly advised for females trying to get pregnant
- Vaginal Microbiome swab. To assess the vaginal microbiome of the vaginal tract. Gives insight into levels of beneficial and harmful bacteria, yeasts and pH levels and includes inflammatory markers. All of which can cause infertility or unfortunately miscarriage. This test is useful for women who have or are at risk of pregnancy and fertility issues, bacterial vaginosis, candida, pelvic inflammatory disorder and other vaginal problems.
- Metabolomix test – see our list of Functional tests listed – considered for both males and females
- Gastrointestinal test (the gut test) – see our list of Functional tests listed – considered for both males and females
- Uterine Microbiome Analysis Useful in the case of infertility or recurrent miscarriage. Sometimes infertility can be due to implantation failure, which can ultimately be caused by the wrong bacteria in the uterine environment. The wrong bacteria can cause a hostile environment. Using next generation sequencing – this test screens for 100% of bacteria and yeast, providing a detailed report on the relative amounts of each species present. Sarah can then work with you to rectify this result.
Semen Microbiome Analysis Useful for in the case of infertility or re occurring miscarriage. Sometimes infertility can be due to implantation or conception failure, which can ultimately be caused by the wrong bacteria in the semen. Some bacteria are seen as more inflammatory which can be a problem for fertility. Sarah can then work with you to rectify this result.
Methylation is an extremely important biochemical process taking part in our body all of the time. The Methylation test examines genes involved in this process, where we may have a ‘SNP’ or ‘mutation’ on a gene, may mean the methylation process is affected. Imbalances in the methylation process can increase susceptibility to chronic health conditions such as heart disease, circulatory problems, chronic fatigue, infertility, immune and autoimmune conditions, food and chemical sensitivities, and mood and psychiatric disorders, as well as cancer and premature ageing. It is an extremely useful test to have.
Other genetic testing you may be interested in: Hormones, Thyroid Balance, Metals & Minerals, Athlete Genetic Panel, Detoxification Genetic Panel.
The nervous system supports the transmission of messages around the mind and body. Neurotransmitters are involved in making chemical messangers to help us sleep, feel happy, feel sad etc. Symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalance can include: mood imbalances, depression, mania, attention deficit and obsessive compulsive disorders, addictive behaviours, motor control disruption, anger, aggression and restlessness. This test will measure genetics that can affect these neurotransmitter production.
Other genetic testing you may be interested in: Hormones, Thyroid Balance, Metals & Minerals, Athlete Genetic Panel, Detoxification Genetic Panel.
Contact us today to understand more about any individual test you are interested in or find out about other laboratory tests we can offer you, for example Food Intolerance testing.
WAYS TO SEE US
- In person at Barnsgrove situated in Greywell, Hampshire RG29 1GF www.barnsgrove.com
- Online via Microsoft TEAMS