Private Health Clinic Diagnostic Tests

Private Health Clinic Diagnostic Tests

What are the common diagnostic tests used?

Depending on the patient presentation, it may be helpful to suggest additional diagnostic testing, apart from taking a full case history and performing an appropriate a clinical examination. Below lists the types of diagnostic tests that we commonly offer.

Urine tests

This is non invasive test (Urinary Dipstick) carried out in the clinic and is used as part of a screening process or if the patient has symptoms usually related to the urinary tract or kidneys. In the case of an abnormal result, the sample is usually sent to the TDL lab for further analysis. Urinary dipstick measure a number of parameters including leucocytes, nitrates, protein, blood, ph, specific gravity, glucose and ketones.

There are also a number of functional nutritional tests that we use provided by Genova Diagnostics such as Metabolomix, a comprehensive nutritional profile measured on a urine sample. Self collection of kids are provided by the laboratory for you to take the sample at home and to be couriered back to Genova.

Blood tests

There are literally thousands of markers that can be tested for using blood samples.
The most common screening test requested is a Haematology/ Biochemistry screen. This measures red blood cells, white blood cells, inflammatory markers, kidney function, liver function, blood glucose, lipid profile, uric acid, calcium, phosphate and iron.

Other markers are requested depending on the clinical picture, such as thyroid function, rheumatology markers, HbA1C, osteoporosis markers, male and female hormonal function, antibodies etc.

Our Preferred laboratory is The Doctors Laboratory (TDL), which we have been using for over 20+ years. They are the leading private pathology laboratory in the UK, and we have received an excellent service from them over the years, including their ability to provide a multitude of different blood tests. All blood samples taken at our clinics, are couriered to The TDL laboratory in London for analysis. Results are received by Encripted Email directly to us, which we then distribute directly to patients once they are received.

Blood samples (venesection/phlebotomy) are usually taken during the consultation by Gerry who is also an NHS certified phlebotomist). You can also be sent to patient reception at TDL Wimpole Street, London W1, for example for fasting blood samples or difficult venesections, TDL add an extra charge for this service , £50 (2023).

TDL TINIES: Sample self-collection

The demand for an increased range of Sexual Health and other Screening tests using remote testing/self-taken small volume blood samples (home collection) and postal pathology has been developed using TDL TINIES.

TDL TINIES (packs with instructions) can be fulfilled by TDL and sent directly to the patient (by arrangement) or supplied directly to doctors or healthcare companies. Not all screening tests are suitable to be taken as a TDL TINY sample. IMPORTANT: This is not point of care testing. All testing is undertaken in the laboratory. Test results from postal samples are always returned directly to the healthcare company or doctor, not to the patient.

Up to four tests can be taken from one TINY sample:

Sexual Health

HIV/p24 Antigen
Hep C Abs
Hep C Antigen for early detection
Syphilis IgG/IgM

Examples of Screening Tests using TDL TINIES

HbA1c
Hormones
AMH
Thyroid function
PSA, etc

Food Intolerance vs Allergy

Whilst still controversial in medical circles, many patients and clinicians are seeing the value of testing for food intolerance.

Currently the UK incidence of true allergy (a fast acting immune mediated response IgE) is only about 3%; there is growing evidence that there are many slow acting responses particularly to food, some of which may not be immune mediated.

Here at The Health Equation, our preferred intolerance tests are the IgG Immunology antibody tests provided by Genova Diagnostics, tested on blood samples. The IgG Food Antibody tests for a large number of foods for the production of IgG. A positive (graded) response indicates that the individual has an intolerance against that particular food. It also gives a total IgE count, which if abnormal, may indicate that classic allergy testing (IgE) is appropriate for individual allergens. Genova also offer other intolerance IgG panels such as, Vegetarian Foods, Moulds, Spices, Inhalants and Coeliac/Gluten Sensitivity.

If total IgE is elevated or if allergy is suspected we can run TDL’s ALEX 2 300 IgE panel. This new panel (2023) tests 300 different substances for an IgE antibody response.

Saliva tests

Many patients present with fatigue, and it is important to assay hormones connected with adrenal function, commonly cortisol and DHEA. Because there is diurnal variation in these hormones (the hormones go up and down depending on the time of the day), it is more useful to have several measurements during the day to see a pattern rather than just the one sample obtained by blood test.

Patients are provided with a saliva test kit, including instructions on collecting the samples and posting the completed kit directly to the Genova Diagnostics laboratory for testing.

Stool tests

The gastro intestinal (GI) tract is often the body’s main line of defence to foreign bodies. Many chronic health conditions can partially be caused by problems in the GI tract. We offer a variety of functional diagnostic test via Genova Diagnostics such as a comprehensive digestive stool analysis with parasitology, which provides important information about digestion, absorption, bacterial balance, yeast overgrowth, inflammation, metabolic activity and immune function. Patients are provided with a stool test kit, including instructions on collecting the samples and posting the completed kit directly to the laboratory for testing.

We also use TDL for QFIT (quantitive faecal analysis) and Calprotectin (an inflammatory gut marker) and stool tests for OCP (ova, cysts and parasites) and culture

Holter 24 hr ECG Analysis

Holter Analysis

The ECG Cloud Holter monitoring and analysis service takes advantage of some of the most advanced, patient friendly ambulatory ECG recording equipment available today.

The service is extremely easy to use for both the patient and clinician.

configuration and fitting to the patient takes a few minutes (no patient identifiable data is stored on the device)
Fitting is so easy it can be even be done by the patient.
ECG quality is excellent
Easy data transfer via WEB upload,
Reports are usually received within 24 to 48 hours and then email directly to the patient