We are very fortunate to have access to this state-of-the-art American laboratory. It has only been available in the UK since 2013 and has proved invaluable. Cyrex Laboratories specialise in autoimmune testing and food reactivity testing.

Over the past couple of decades there has been an alarming rise in the incidence of autoimmune diseases globally. The term ‘autoimmunity’ describes a pathological state in which the defensive immune system becomes offensive to an individual’s own tissue and attacks one or more organs, resulting in destruction of the tissue and derangement of that organ’s function (i.e. disease). This is what occurs in conditions as diverse as coeliac disease, psoriasis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Grave’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus (SLE), Sjorgren’s syndrome and many many others (the list is, unfortunately,  growing).

Cyrex Labs specialise in analysis of blood samples to identify a great many autoimmune antibodies, from those involving the neurological system, various joint tissues, is a warning of a disease process which will become increasingly

They specialise in identifying immune reactions to a huge range of foods (in both raw and cooked state) and autoimmune reactions to one’s own tissues.

The Organic Acids Test, provided by Mosaic Diagnostics (formerly Great Plains Laboratries), provides an invaluable means of identifying certain bodily and microbial metabolites from a urine sample as well as break down products of certain vitamins and nutrients. It is a bit like taking your car to the garage and having the exhaust fumes analysed to work out how the engine is functioning. From a single urine sample, this test identifies 75 different compounds and their origins and interprets them, significantly aiding the clinician in diagnosis and therapeutic approach. These compounds include waste products from your own cellular functions, and from the cells of undesirable microbes that may have taken up residence in a patient, such as yeasts, fungi and bacteria. These microbes produce their own waste products and by identifying them one can obtain great insight into several key areas of health. It also identifies disruptions in the ability to produce certain neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which can guide treatment greatly.

I will often suggest this test in cases of autism and similar conditions in that spectrum, in chronic gut disorders, which often have tenacious yeast infections, or in certain other situations whereby symptoms persist and have not responded to sensible measures already taken. Diagnostic tests of this kind are extremely useful in my experience.

Useful in:

• Autism and similar behavioural dysfunction
• Suspected fungal and yeast and bacterial infestation
• Chronic unexplained pain
• Metaboliic abnormalities
• Any unexplained confusing symptoms

I have access to a number of world-class laboratories through which I can arrange both standard and specialist tests. Many of these are not available on the NHS, even though they are all part of orthodox medical diagnostics. There are many benefits of private laboratory testing:

• A wider range of tests that can help get to the bottom of your condition.
• Get the tests you want, without having to seek your GP’s approval.
• No waiting, no NHS queues. Generally, results come back in a matter of days.
• Confidentiality assured. Your test results are conveyed to you directly.

Some laboratories will send a test kit directly to the patient containing everything necessary for collecting the samples, along with secure packaging for sending back to the lab. For many tests, I have the kits ready to go in my clinic, saving time and allowing me to talk you through the contents and procedure.

Usually, you will be able to collect the required sample for yourself at home. This is generally the case where the test requires urine, stool, hair or saliva samples. In the case of blood tests, where a blood draw is necessary, the services of a local phlobotomist will be required.

IMPORTANT
Although I am a trained, insured phlebotomist, recent changes to legislation
mean I am not licensed to take blood for any tests I provide for my patients.
When tests require a blood draw, therefore, patients will need to take the kit I supply
to a local phlebotomist (e.g. Superdrug, Chichester) to have their blood drawn.

I have a good working relationship with my labs and have direct phone access to their biochemists. I also attend the CPD lectures provided by certain labs and researchers ensuring that I keep abreast of progress in the field.

Please scroll down to read about some of the tests that I find particularly relevant in my practice, and why.

The DNA testing I offer can provide unique insights into your health and opens the way to truly personalised medicine.

The testing I offer only checks for gene variants that can help uncover weaknesses in metabolism (e.g. vitamin B and folate cycles) that may help diagnosis or indicate simple lifestyle changes or specific supplements that would be impossible to identify otherwise.

For example, whilst salt is generally no problem in the diet, for a sub set of people it is more likely to contribute to raised blood pressure. Genetic testing could reveal this. Similarly, I generally recommend coffee drinking for it’s many health benefits, but for someone with the slow caffeine metabolism gene the opposite advice would be appropriate. Only with genetic testing can such advice be given confidently.

My DNA labs also offer specific testing for exercise related genes. These identify injury susceptibility, endurance and performance related genes, and those that indicate recovery potential. Such information can be invaluable for athletes and anyone trying to maximise the potential of their exercise regimen.

The recently updated and expanded test now requires a finger-prick blood sample to be taken. The equipment is provided in the kit, and you can safely undertake this at home. The lab returns a multi page report and I offer a consultation to go over the results and discuss possible interventions that are likely to be beneficial in light of this information.