Cortaderia Wellness

Why Your GP Might Miss Details

In standard medical care, lab tests are usually run to check whether you fall into a “normal” or “abnormal” range. If your results land inside the “normal” box, you’re often told “everything looks fine.”

But here’s the problem:

“Normal” ranges are very broad and based on population averages, not on what’s optimal for health.
Many functional issues - like gut dysbiosis, low stomach acid, cortisol rhythm problems, or nutrient deficiencies -don’t show up clearly on standard tests.
Doctors aren’t usually trained to look at the subclinical patterns that reveal why you feel tired, bloated, or burnt out. They are trained to ensure you don't die soon (which is equally important) not the reasons behind a low quality of life.

How Functional Testing Is Different

Functional medicine takes a different approach. Instead of asking “Do you have a disease or not?”, we ask:

“How well is your body actually functioning?”
“What’s happening at the root level that could explain your symptoms?”

With advanced lab testing, we can see details that conventional screens overlook, such as:

Gut microbiome balance (good vs harmful bacteria).
Hidden inflammation in the gut lining.
Stress hormone patterns across the day (not just a single snapshot).
Nutrient absorption and digestive enzyme function.

This is why many people finally find answers through functional testing - because we’re looking deeper, at the systems that affect your everyday energy, digestion, mood, and resilience.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve ever been told “everything looks fine” but you still don’t feel fine, functional testing bridges the gap. It gives us the missing data we need to explain your symptoms and build a personalised plan that actually works.

TYPES OF FUNCTIONAL TESTS WE USE

Comprehensive Gut Test e.g. GI MAP

Long standing gut issues? Been told by your doctor that they couldn't find anything?

Our comprehensive stool test looks even more deeply at your your:

Friendly and unfriendly bacteria,
How well your digestive organs are digesting
Inflammation in the gut
Leaky Gut/Increased Gut Permeability

Learn how to optimise your gut health with our advanced at-home stool analysis.

Learn About Our Gut Test

Adrenal Cortisol & Stress Profile

The Adrenal Cortisol Rhythm Test maps your cortisol levels across the day, revealing whether your stress response is balanced or out of sync.

With this insight, you can take targeted steps to restore healthy energy patterns, improve sleep, and enhance recovery - essential for individuals who want to perform at their best while also feeling calm and centered.

Food Sensitivity IgG Test

Using a finger-prick blood at home sample, used to identify common and less common reactions with a broader list of foods via IgG markers.

Food sensitivities are different from food allergies - they can be subtle and delayed, making them harder to detect. They may show up as bloating, fatigue, brain fog, headaches, skin issues, or low mood hours or even days after eating certain foods.

Other Tests

Other tests include: Comprehensive Thyroid Panel, Vitamin D status, Female/Male Hormone Profile, etc.

Looking for something unique? Write to us, and we might be able to find something for you.

Client Testing cases

Paul

"After fifteen years of gradual worsening of a digestive condition I turned to Nicole in hope rather than expectation.

No doctor or specialist seemed to have any detailed knowledge of my condition which was getting worse and beginning to affect my working life.

Nicole tackled the issue in a logical manner and with the benefit of her intimate knowledge of nutrition we began resetting my digestion process starting again and eliminating any possible causes.

Fast forward and my gut health is in great shape and Nicole's nutrition advice is continuing the building of a strong and diverse microbiome with all of the accompanying health and wellness benefits."

Mark

"I had a condition that really needed addressing through proper/ precise nutrition.

Organising and evaluating the tests was a major part of the work, this brought to light some unknown factors that was evaluated quickly with recommendations

My body is now in optimal health and this in many ways is thanks to Nicole

If your looking for nutrition advice, whether its for a health condition or you just want to have a physical upgrade, Nicole is the person to speak to."

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at info@cortaderiawellness.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

1. Are these tests valid?

Yes. We only work with internationally recognised laboratories that use advanced, scientifically validated methods (ISO accredited). Many of these labs are the same ones used by medical researchers and specialist clinics worldwide. The difference is that we interpret the results through a functional medicine lens, looking for optimal health ranges, not just “disease or no disease.”

2. Can’t my GP do this?

Most GPs focus on ruling out serious conditions. They usually run standard blood tests, which are helpful but often miss the subtle imbalances that explain symptoms like bloating, fatigue, or poor sleep. Functional tests measure things that GPs don’t usually check, such as:

Gut microbiome balance
Digestive enzymes
Cortisol rhythm over 24 hours (4 point collection)
Nutrient absorption markers
This doesn’t replace your GP, but it compliments conventional care by filling in the missing pieces.

3. Do I need to travel for the test?

No - All our tests are home-based kits. But if we can find a more cost effective alternative for you, we will! Depending on the test, you may need to provide a saliva, urine, or stool sample. Clear instructions are provided, and once you’ve collected the sample, you simply send it back to the lab by post.

4. How long does it take to get results?

Typically, results are available within 2–4 weeks (depending on the test) after the lab receives your sample. Once I have your results, we’ll book you in for an online consultation to go through them in detail.

5. Are these tests covered by the NHS/insurance?

In most cases, no. Because functional tests go beyond standard NHS testing, they are privately paid. Some private health insurance plans may cover part of the cost, but this varies. For a list of insurance partners that cover functional medicine testing, please visit our article on 'FAQ on Functional Medicine'

6. What symptoms can functional testing help with?

Testing can provide clarity if you struggle with:

Digestive issues (bloating, IBS, reflux, constipation)
Chronic fatigue or low energy
Hormonal symptoms (PMS, irregular cycles, mood swings)
Sleep issues or burnout
Food reactions or sensitivities
Testing helps uncover the root cause behind these symptoms, rather than just managing them.

7. Do I need a referral from my doctor?

No -you can order these tests directly through the clinic. We'll guide you on which test is most appropriate based on your symptoms and goals.

8. What happens after I get my results?

You’ll have a full consultation with one of our qualified registered practitioners where we explain your results in plain English. From there, your practitioner will create a personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan to address the imbalances we’ve identified.

9. Can I do testing if I’m already taking medication?

In most cases, yes. Some medications may affect results, so I’ll let you know if we need to make any adjustments before testing. We'll always recommend continuing to follow your GP’s advice alongside functional medicine.

10. Is this only for people with severe symptoms?

Not at all. Testing is equally valuable for people who:

Have ongoing symptoms with no clear answers
Want to optimise energy, digestion, and stress resilience
Simply want a deep dive into their health for prevention or optimise their current state for performance.

11. How much do tests cost?

Costs vary depending on the type of test (gut, cortisol, hormones, etc.). On average, tests range from £95-£300, plus consultation fees. We’ll always be transparent about costs before you commit.

Why Testing Matters

How Functional Testing Gives You Clear Answers

Why Your GP Might Miss Details

How Functional Testing Is Different

The Bottom Line

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TYPES OF FUNCTIONAL TESTS WE USE

Comprehensive Gut Test e.g. GI MAP

Adrenal Cortisol & Stress Profile

Food Sensitivity IgG Test

Other Tests

Client Testing cases

Paul

Mark

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Get to the Root of Your Symptoms?

Why Testing Matters

How Functional Testing Gives You Clear Answers

Why Your GP Might Miss Details

How Functional Testing Is Different

The Bottom Line

The walkthrough

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 2:

Step 2:

Step 2:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 2:

Step 3:

TYPES OF FUNCTIONAL TESTS WE USE

Comprehensive Gut Test e.g. GI MAP

Adrenal Cortisol & Stress Profile

Food Sensitivity IgG Test

Other Tests

Client Testing cases

Paul

Mark

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Get to the Root of Your Symptoms?

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