Functional Lab Tests: Uncover the Root Causes of Your Health Symptoms

When it comes to women’s health, there’s rarely a one-size-fits-all answer. Hormonal shifts, gut imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies can all play a role in how you feel day to day. If you’re dealing with symptoms like fatigue, bloating, anxiety, irregular periods or low mood -and struggling to find answers - functional lab testing could be the missing piece of the puzzle.

At Roar Nutrition, I use a range of advanced functional (private) tests to help you get to the root cause of your symptoms and create a personalised, evidence-based plan that works for your body - not someone else’s.

What Are Functional Lab Tests?

Functional lab tests explore how your body’s systems are actually functioning - from hormones and digestion to stress response and nutrient status. The goal isn’t just to find what’s “out of range,” but to identify imbalances that may be contributing to how you feel - long before they show up as a diagnosed condition.

These tests are especially useful when symptoms are brushed off as “normal” or “just part of being a woman.”

The Tests I Use in My Clinic

Depending on your health history, symptoms and goals, I may recommend one or more of the following:

• Nutrigenomic testing

  For deeper insights into how your genes influence hormone metabolism, detoxification, mood, nutrient needs, and more.

  → I use Lifecode Gx to explore these patterns and guide truly personalised nutrition and lifestyle strategies.

• Stool analysis

  To assess your gut microbiome, digestive function, inflammation, and any underlying infections

  → I work with Genova Diagnostics and Regenerus Laboratories for these.

• DUTCH hormone testing

  A comprehensive hormone panel that looks at estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol and their metabolites over a full 24-hour period - ideal for understanding cycle issues, perimenopause, or chronic stress.

• Cortisol testing (saliva or urine)

  To assess your stress response and circadian rhythm - especially helpful if you’re dealing with burnout, poor sleep, or mid-afternoon crashes.

• Blood panels

  For nutritional markers, thyroid function, metabolic health, inflammation and more.

  → I use Functional DX for private blood tests or work with your GP where possible to reduce costs.

  
  

Every test I recommend is purposeful, based on what we uncover during your initial consultation and symptom history. There’s no one-size-fits-all testing panel.

Why Test?

Functional testing can help us answer questions like:

• Could your fatigue be linked to low iron or B12?

• Is your gut affecting your mood, immunity, or hormones?

• What’s your stress response like - are cortisol imbalances quietly adding to your anxiety, fatigue, or weight gain?

• Could a hormonal imbalance explain your irregular cycles or PMS?

  
  

Rather than guessing or chasing symptoms, testing allows us to make informed decisions - and design a protocol that’s tailored to you.

What About the NHS or Insurance?

In the UK, many of these tests aren’t routinely offered by the NHS unless certain criteria are met. Where appropriate, I’ll always explore whether your GP can carry out part of the testing to help reduce costs.

Private functional testing is self-funded, and while it’s an investment, many of my clients find the clarity it brings invaluable - especially after months or even years of unanswered questions.

Functional Testing in Action

Let’s say you’re struggling with low mood, fatigue and heavy periods. A traditional approach might focus on symptom relief, but functional testing could reveal:

• Low B12 or vitamin D

• Estrogen dominance

• Poor detoxification capacity

• An imbalanced gut microbiome

• Dysregulated cortisol patterns

  
  

Armed with that insight, we can create a nutrition, lifestyle and supplement plan that directly supports your body’s needs - no guesswork, no overwhelm.

Ready to Get Answers?

If you’re tired of feeling dismissed or confused by your symptoms, functional testing can offer a fresh perspective. It’s not about chasing perfect results - it’s about uncovering what your body truly needs to feel balanced, energised, and well. Every woman deserves to have a deep understanding of her health, and functional lab tests are an important step towards that empowerment.

🌿 Book a complimentary health review today to explore whether functional testing could support your health goals - and see if we’re the right fit to work together.