Functional testing is a way of looking deeper into how your body is actually working day to day. Unlike standard medical tests that tend to check whether you fall within a broad "normal" range, functional tests dig into the detail — things like how well you're digesting food, how efficiently your liver is clearing out toxins, whether your hormones are in balance, or how your body is using the nutrients you're taking in.
The goal isn't to diagnose disease. It's to catch the imbalances and underlying patterns that often sit behind the symptoms you're experiencing — the ones that might not show up on a routine blood test but are still affecting how you feel.
Functional tests can cover a wide range of areas including gut health, hormone balance, nutrient status, inflammation, thyroid function, blood sugar regulation and more. Results are used alongside your health history and symptoms to build a clear, personalised picture of what's going on — and more importantly, what we can do about it.
Everyday example: You've been dealing with brain fog, low energy and stubborn weight gain for months. Your GP checks your thyroid and it comes back "within range." A functional approach might look more closely at how well your thyroid hormones are being converted and used at a cellular level, whether inflammation is getting in the way, or whether a nutrient deficiency is part of the picture. That deeper look often reveals the missing piece.
I am a nutrigenomics practitioner and have a special interest in hormones, detoxification, gut health, brain health and nervous system support. I can offer testing with Genova Diagnostics Europe, Regenerus Labs Medichecks and more.
What is Functional Testing?
What is Nutrigenomics?
Nutrigenomics is the science of how your unique genetic makeup influences the way your body responds to food, nutrients and lifestyle factors. We all carry small variations in our genes — called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) — and these can affect everything from how you metabolise caffeine or fat, to how well you absorb certain vitamins, to how efficiently your body handles inflammation or detoxification.
A nutrigenomic test uses a simple cheek swab to read these variations. The results don't tell you what diseases you'll get — they show you where your body may need extra support and where your strengths lie. This allows us to move away from generic health advice and build a plan that's genuinely tailored to your biology.
It's one of the most powerful tools available in personalised nutrition because it takes the guesswork out of the equation. Instead of wondering why a particular diet or supplement isn't working for you the way it works for someone else, nutrigenetics gives us the reason — and more importantly, the solution.
Everyday example: You and a friend both drink coffee in the afternoon. She sleeps like a baby; you're staring at the ceiling at midnight. A nutrigenetic test might show that you carry a gene variant that makes you a slow caffeine metaboliser — meaning caffeine stays active in your system much longer. That one insight can change how you structure your day and improve your sleep without any major overhaul.
Available nutrigenomics reports
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This test looks at how your genes affect everyday things like whether you tolerate gluten or lactose, how you handle caffeine, what vitamins you may need more of, and whether you're prone to inflammation or blood sugar dips. Think of it as a genetic snapshot of your body's basic nutritional needs.
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Your body needs minerals like iron, zinc and magnesium to function — but your genes can affect how well you absorb and use them. This test shows whether you're likely to run low in certain minerals or struggle to clear heavy metals from your system.
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This test explores how your genes influence your metabolism — from how you burn fat and sugar for energy, to appetite control and cholesterol balance. It helps explain why some people gain weight easily or feel low in energy despite eating well.
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Hormones like oestrogen, testosterone and cortisol affect everything from mood to weight to fertility. This test looks at how your genes influence the way you produce, transport and break down these hormones — and what you can do to support better balance.
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Methylation is a process happening billions of times a second in your cells, supporting everything from energy and mood to detoxification. This test shows whether your body does it efficiently or needs extra nutritional support to keep things running smoothly.
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Histamine helps with digestion, immunity and brain function — but if your body can't break it down fast enough, it builds up and causes symptoms like headaches, skin irritation, bloating or poor sleep. This test shows where the breakdown process might be getting stuck.
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Your liver works hard to clear out toxins, hormones and chemicals every day. This test looks at whether the genes involved in that cleanup process are working efficiently — or whether certain nutrients could help them along.
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This test looks at the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that influence your mood, focus, sleep and stress response. It can help explain things like low motivation, anxiety, restlessness or difficulty switching off — and guide nutritional support to bring things back into balance.
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The APOE gene affects how your body handles fats and cholesterol. Certain variants are linked to higher cardiovascular risk or cognitive decline later in life. This test helps you understand your genetic picture so you can take early, preventative steps through diet and lifestyle.
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Your thyroid controls the speed of nearly every cell in your body. This test examines the genes involved in making, transporting and activating thyroid hormones — helpful if you experience unexplained fatigue, weight changes, or temperature sensitivity.
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This test is for anyone who wants to train smarter. It looks at how your genes affect endurance, strength, recovery, injury risk and sleep — so you can tailor your training, fuelling and rest to what your body actually needs.