When you come to see me for the first time, one of the most important steps in understanding your health is testing — but not just any testing. The right tests, done at the right time and interpreted in the right context, can reveal valuable insights into what’s really driving your symptoms. In this post, I’ll share the key blood tests I commonly request at an initial consultation, how I interpret them, and when we might need to look further with functional testing. The Found

When standard blood tests come back “normal” but symptoms persist, it can feel frustrating — like something important is being missed. This is where functional testing comes in. Functional testing goes beyond just identifying disease, it looks at how your body’s systems are performing and why they may not be functioning optimally. By understanding these deeper patterns, we can be far more precise — and proactive — in how we support your health. Comprehensive Hormone Testing:

When it comes to fertility challenges or early pregnancy loss, the spotlight often falls on female hormones, cycles, and nutrient status. However more recent research is revealing just how significant the male contribution is, with male fertility rates declining by more than 50% since 1973. Beyond sperm count and motility, we now know that sperm DNA integrity and epigenetic programming play a critical role in everything from successful implantation to the long-term health of

Folate is one of the most critical nutrients for fertility, pregnancy, and hormone health, but if you have an MTHFR gene variation, your body may struggle to process synthetic folic acid efficiently. Since folate plays a key role in egg quality, methylation, and fetal development, ensuring you get the right form of supplemental folate is essential for preconception health and a healthy pregnancy. In this article, we’ll break down what the MTHFR gene does, why folate is so imp

If you’ve ever noticed your period disappear during a stressful month — or felt like perimenopause symptoms hit harder when life gets chaotic — you’re not imagining it. Stress has a powerful impact on your hormones. And during perimenopause, when your hormonal landscape is already shifting, the effects of stress can feel amplified. Let’s explore how this connection works — and what you can do to support your body through it. Your Brain and Hormones Are Always Talking The comm

When most people think about blood sugar, they think about diabetes or cutting sugar out of their diet. But balanced blood sugar is about so much more than that — especially for women in their 30s, 40s and beyond. Blood sugar balance is one of the most powerful ways we can support hormone function, mental clarity, and daily energy levels. And it doesn’t require rigid rules or eliminating entire food groups. Why Blood Sugar Matters for Hormones Insulin — the hormone that helps

Ovulation is often discussed in the context of fertility, but its importance goes far beyond conception. Regular ovulation is a key marker of overall health and plays a critical role in hormone balance, bone health, metabolism, and long-term wellbeing. If you’re not ovulating regularly, it can be a sign of underlying hormonal imbalances, stress, nutrient deficiencies, or other health concerns. Understanding ovulation and its role in your body can help you take control of your

When it comes to fertility and pregnancy, what you do before conception matters enormously. Your health in the months leading up to pregnancy plays a key role in egg and sperm quality, hormone balance, and fetal development. Since eggs and sperm take around three months to mature, the choices you make today affect your future fertility and pregnancy outcomes. If you’re trying to conceive—or planning to in the near future—optimising your diet and lifestyle can help support a s

Antioxidants are often associated with anti-aging and immune support, but their role in hormone health, fertility, and gut function is just as important. These powerful compounds protect cells from oxidative stress, support hormone balance, improve egg quality, and even nourish the gut microbiome. If you’re trying to balance your hormones, support fertility, or improve digestion, antioxidants should be a key focus in your diet. In this article, we’ll explore why antioxidants