Diagnostic Tests at The Health Equation

Targeted Testing to Improve Diagnostic Clarity

At The Health Equation, diagnostic tests are selected according to the individual patient’s clinical history, examination findings and presenting concerns. Testing is not undertaken routinely or in isolation; it is used when it can help clarify a diagnosis, identify important risk factors, monitor an existing condition or guide personalised recommendations.

Depending upon the clinical picture, testing may include blood, urine, saliva or stool analysis, allergy investigations, ambulatory cardiac monitoring and other specialist assessments. Where appropriate, results are interpreted within our Integrated Regulatory Systems Framework (IRSF), bringing together conventional laboratory findings, functional patterns and the wider clinical context.

Urine Testing

Urine testing may be used as part of a general health assessment or when symptoms suggest a possible urinary tract, renal or metabolic problem.

A non-invasive urine dipstick test can be performed during a consultation. Depending upon the clinical context, this may assess:

  • Leucocytes and nitrites, which may indicate urinary tract infection
  • Blood and protein
  • Glucose and ketones
  • Urinary pH and specific gravity

Dipstick testing is a screening tool rather than a definitive diagnosis. When a result is abnormal or requires further investigation, a urine sample may be sent to The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) for formal laboratory analysis, microscopy or culture.

Specialist functional urine profiles may also be considered in selected cases. These can provide additional information about nutritional status, organic acids and aspects of cellular metabolism. Home-collection kits are supplied where appropriate, with samples returned directly to the specialist laboratory.

Blood Testing

Blood testing can provide valuable information about health, physiological function and disease risk. However, tests should be selected and interpreted in relation to the individual patient rather than requested as an indiscriminate panel.

A general haematology and biochemistry profile may include:

  • Red and white blood cells
  • Platelets and iron status
  • Inflammatory markers
  • Kidney and liver function
  • Blood glucose and HbA1c
  • Lipid and cardiovascular risk markers
  • Calcium, phosphate and bone-related markers
  • Protein and nutritional status

Depending upon the patient’s history and clinical findings, additional investigations may include thyroid function, vitamin and mineral status, rheumatological and autoimmune markers, male or female hormone profiles, adrenal hormones, osteoporosis markers and more specialised cardiovascular or metabolic tests.

Our Laboratory

The Health Equation has worked with The Doctors Laboratory (TDL), one of the UK’s leading independent pathology laboratories, for more than 20 years. Blood samples collected at our London and Marlborough clinics are transported to TDL for analysis.

Gerry Gajadharsingh is an NHS-certified phlebotomist and can usually collect blood samples during the consultation. Patients may also attend TDL Patient Reception in London when fasting samples, specialist handling or a more complex venesection is required.

Results are returned securely to The Health Equation and reviewed before being shared with the patient. Where clinically appropriate, the results may also form the basis of a detailed Functional Blood Analysis report.

Home and Remote Sample Collection

For selected investigations, a home-collection kit may be available. Depending upon the test, this may involve a small blood, saliva, urine or stool sample.

Not every investigation is suitable for self-collection, and all samples are analysed by an accredited laboratory rather than through point-of-care testing. The most appropriate collection method will be discussed before the test is arranged.

Functional Blood Analysis

At The Health Equation, selected blood profiles can be interpreted through a detailed Functional Blood Analysis (FBA). This goes beyond simply identifying results that fall outside standard laboratory reference ranges.

Standard reference ranges remain essential for detecting possible disease. Functional analysis adds another layer by examining relationships between multiple results, emerging patterns and values that may be clinically relevant within the individual patient’s wider presentation.

Our Functional Blood Analysis may assess patterns involving:

  • Inflammatory and immune activity
  • Glycaemic regulation and insulin resistance
  • Lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk
  • Liver and renal function
  • Thyroid and hormonal regulation
  • Protein and nutritional status
  • Mineral balance and bone-related markers
  • Haematological patterns
  • Wider metabolic and physiological stress

The analysis incorporates probability modelling, clinical reasoning and the Integrated Regulatory Systems Framework (IRSF). Results are considered alongside the patient’s symptoms, medical history, medication, lifestyle, examination findings and any existing diagnoses.

Patients receive a structured written report highlighting the most clinically relevant findings, areas that appear well regulated and any results requiring conventional medical investigation, monitoring or referral. Recommendations are personalised and may include further testing, nutritional or lifestyle measures, discussion with the patient’s GP or referral to an appropriate medical specialist.

Functional interpretation does not replace standard medical diagnosis or conventional laboratory reference ranges. Its purpose is to place the laboratory findings into a more complete clinical context and support informed, shared decision-making.

Food Allergy, Intolerance and Sensitivity

Food allergy and food intolerance are not the same and require different approaches to assessment.

A true food allergy involves an immune response, most commonly mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE), and may produce rapid symptoms such as urticaria, swelling, wheezing, vomiting or, in severe cases, anaphylaxis. When the clinical history suggests allergy, targeted IgE blood testing may be arranged. More extensive molecular allergy testing, including the ALEX² panel, may be considered in selected complex cases.

Food intolerance does not usually involve an IgE-mediated allergic response. Symptoms may be influenced by enzyme deficiencies, naturally occurring food chemicals, fermentable carbohydrates, histamine, additives or individual gastrointestinal sensitivity. Assessment therefore begins with a careful clinical and dietary history and may include a structured elimination and reintroduction process.

Food-specific IgG testing remains controversial. Current allergy guidelines do not support using a positive IgG result alone to diagnose either food allergy or food intolerance, because IgG antibodies may simply reflect normal exposure to a food. Where this type of testing is considered, its limitations are explained and results are interpreted cautiously within the wider clinical picture. Unnecessary or prolonged dietary restriction should be avoided.

Patients with suspected significant allergy, unexplained systemic reactions or a risk of anaphylaxis should be assessed by an appropriately qualified allergy specialist.

Saliva and Hormone Testing

Saliva testing may be considered when it is useful to examine the daily pattern of particular hormones, especially cortisol. Cortisol follows a circadian rhythm: concentrations are normally higher after waking and decline progressively throughout the day.

Collecting several samples at specified times can provide information about this diurnal pattern that cannot be obtained from a single measurement. Depending upon the clinical question, testing may also include the cortisol awakening response or selected additional hormones.

Saliva testing is not required for every patient experiencing fatigue and should not be used in isolation to diagnose so-called “adrenal fatigue”. Symptoms such as persistent fatigue, weakness, weight change or reduced exercise tolerance require a broader clinical assessment and, where indicated, conventional blood testing to exclude recognised endocrine, haematological, metabolic or systemic disease.

When saliva testing is appropriate, patients receive a home-collection kit with detailed instructions. Samples are collected at the specified times and returned directly to the specialist laboratory for analysis.

Stool and Gastrointestinal Testing

Stool testing may help investigate gastrointestinal symptoms such as persistent changes in bowel habit, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, suspected infection, malabsorption or unexplained intestinal inflammation.

Depending upon the clinical presentation, conventional laboratory investigations may include:

  • Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for traces of blood
  • Faecal calprotectin as a marker of intestinal inflammation
  • Stool culture for bacterial pathogens
  • Testing for ova, cysts and parasites
  • Other targeted microbiological investigations

In selected cases, a more comprehensive functional stool profile may be considered. These profiles can provide additional information about digestion, absorption, pancreatic function, inflammatory activity and the composition of the intestinal microbiome. Findings must be interpreted cautiously and alongside the patient’s symptoms, medical history and conventional investigations.

Patients are supplied with the appropriate home-collection kit and instructions, with samples returned directly to the laboratory.

Stool testing does not replace medical investigation of gastrointestinal warning symptoms. Persistent rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, iron-deficiency anaemia, a significant change in bowel habit or other concerning features may require prompt GP or specialist gastroenterology assessment.

24-Hour Holter ECG Monitoring

A standard electrocardiogram records the heart’s electrical activity for only a short period. A Holter monitor records continuously over a longer period and may detect intermittent changes that are not present during a consultation.

Monitoring may be considered for symptoms such as:

  • Palpitations or an irregular heartbeat
  • Unexplained episodes of a rapid or slow pulse
  • Dizziness or near-fainting
  • Suspected ectopic beats
  • Intermittent rhythm disturbance
  • Monitoring of a previously identified cardiac rhythm problem

The compact ambulatory device is fitted at the clinic and worn during normal daily activities. A direct-to-patient service may also be available when appropriate.

Once the recording is complete, the ECG data are securely uploaded for specialist analysis. Reports are usually available within one to two working days and are reviewed before being shared with the patient. Any clinically important findings may require discussion with the patient’s GP or referral to a cardiologist.

Holter monitoring is not an emergency service. New or severe chest pain, marked breathlessness, collapse or other acute cardiac symptoms require urgent medical assessment.

Click the image below to download our Functional Blood Analysis Brochure

Click the image below to download our Functional Blood Analysis Sample Report

View a Sample Functional Blood Analysis Report

Commonly Requested Blood Profiles

The Health Equation has developed a range of blood profiles with The Doctors Laboratory (TDL). These provide a practical and cost-effective way of combining commonly requested markers while allowing additional tests to be selected according to the individual patient’s clinical needs.

The profiles listed below are examples rather than fixed recommendations. The most appropriate testing is determined by the patient’s history, symptoms, existing diagnoses, medication and previous results.

 GAJ1 Basic Haematology & Biochemistry Profile 
GAJ2 Extended Haematology & Biochemistry Profile
GAJ3 Adrenal Hormone Profile
GAJ4 Thyroid Function Profile
GAJ5 Female Hormone Profile
GAJ6 Male Hormone Profile 
GAJ7 2nd Line Hormone Profile
GAJ8 Additional Hormone Profile
PR2 Prostate Health Profile
Stockholm 3 Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment
ALEX 2 Comprehensive IgE Allergy Profile
High Risk HPV DNA Self Collection Test
Genova Food-Specific IgG Profile

Blood-test prices vary according to the profile and any additional markers requested. Please see our Consultation & Treatment Fees page for current charges.

Consultation & Treatment Fees

Choosing the Right Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic testing is most useful when it is guided by a clear clinical question. At The Health Equation, we consider which investigations are likely to add meaningful information, while avoiding unnecessary or duplicated testing.

Results are interpreted alongside the patient’s history, examination findings, medication and existing medical care. Where appropriate, we work collaboratively with the patient’s GP, consultant or other healthcare professionals.

Arrange a Diagnostic Consultation

If you would like to discuss which tests may be appropriate, please arrange a Diagnostic Consultation at our London or Marlborough clinic.

Book a Diagnostic Consultation