Could a medical test change your life?

You probably experience symptoms like headaches, brain fog or low energy. These symptoms often go disregarded, but usually, they’re a sign something’s not right.

Chronic symptoms shouldn’t be your baseline.

You may reach for a paracetamol or a cup of coffee as a remedy, but these solutions only provide a band-aid, rather than resolving the cause.

Medical testing can uncover the root cause of your symptoms, direct a treatment plan and help you live a fuller, happier life.

Even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, you should be getting regular bloodwork to ensure your body is working at its best.

Read on to learn which symptoms require testing and how to prepare yourself mentally for having blood drawn or taking a stool sample.

Is routine blood work necessary?

Regular bloodwork, also known as a health screening is the best way to measure your physical health year on year.

Blood work screens your overall health, checking important nutrient levels, as well as the health of organs like your liver (which helps flush out toxins) and your thyroid (which governs most of your body’s critical functions).

How often do I need to have a blood test?

You should aim to have blood work done at least once every two years. For the over 40s, you should aim to get tested once a year.

What blood test should I take?

Our comprehensive analysis measures essential areas of your wellbeing.

The comprehensive analysis checks:

• Common deficiencies, including B12, folate, vitamin D and ferritin (iron) levels
• Thyroid, liver and kidney function
• Anti-aging markers, analysing your DHEA levels
• Cardiovascular health and cholesterol levels

Compare our health screening and blood tests.

Common digestive symptoms 

A 2021 survey found that around 40% of people worldwide experience digestive issues. 

So if you’re one of the many who experience bloating, reflux, gas, digestive pain, constipation and diarrhoea, you’re not alone.

It’s important to listen to these signals from your body: they’re a sign that something is out of balance.

Gut symptoms like these are caused by a variety of issues.

Food intolerances

When you eat a food you’re intolerant to, it can cause all the symptoms above and more.

People can be intolerant to all foods, but the main culprits are gluten, dairy, histamines (often found in alcohol, cheese and smoked meats), caffeine, sulphites and FODMAPs (think apples, soft cheese, onions, garlic and bread).

If you keep eating a food you’re intolerant to you can damage your gut lining, causing leaky gut, which reduces your ability to absorb nutrients and allows matter from the gut to leak into other parts of the body.

If food intolerances are the cause of your digestive discomfort, you may also feel tired and weak.

Compare our food intolerance tests.

SIBO

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is another cause for uncomfortable digestive symptoms.

SIBO occurs when you have more bad bacteria than good bacteria in the gut – also known as dysbiosis. Around 40% of people in Hong Kong have dysbiosis. 

Parasites

Travelling can leave you with more than just memories! Parasites can cause pain, diarrhoea, gas and bloating, nausea and feeling tired.

Large intestine imbalances

Imbalances like bacterial overgrowth in the large intestine lead to digestive symptoms.

Our digestive tests can check for SIBO, parasites and other digestive factors that may be causing your symptoms.

Tired all the time?

If you’re tired all the time, don’t just put it down to working hard and playing hard. Often, there’s a clear cause.

Hormonal imbalances of oestrogen, progesterone and cortisol can cause tiredness.

Other symptoms of hormonal imbalance include digestive issues, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, high cholesterol levels, depression and anxiety.

Our naturopaths recommend the DUTCH hormone test to check your hormones are within the healthy range.

Toxins, especially heavy metals, are another cause of tiredness.

If your body is working overtime to counteract the high toxic load it experiences on a daily basis, then you’ll struggle to function at your best.

Our toxin tests measure heavy metals, mould, herbicides and more, to ensure your body isn’t under any unnecessary stress.

Staying healthy as you age

If you’re interested in preventative care, or perhaps you know you’re genetically predisposed to a particular chronic illness, you may benefit from a DNA test.

These tests analyse your genetics to figure out the best treatment plan so you can mitigate the chances of developing chronic illness.

From diet, to supplements and exercise, our naturopaths can help guide you as you discover the route to wellbeing as you age.

Other symptoms that should be tested

Cognitive symptoms like brain fog.

Hormonal issues like PMS, perimenopause and menopause, to reproductive health and pregnancy issues.

Anxiety and depression, which can be checked for genetic, nutritional or hormonal factors.

Sometimes people with depression have methylation issues and cannot absorb B vitamins unless they’re in a bioavailable form. A suitable supplement may help alleviate symptoms.

Neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling or headaches – which is often toxic overload manifesting as symptoms.

Sleep issues can also be an indicator that something is out of balance.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, we recommend you book an appointment with our naturopaths to talk through which test is right for your needs.

Taking tests

There are three types of test: blood, urine and stool.

Blood tests – it’s common to be apprehensive. Rescue remedy is useful for soothing nervousness. You can buy this from our dispensary or online.

Another great remedy is the homeopathic aconite – perfect for easing acute anxiety. Also available from our dispensary.

When you get your blood drawn, let your practitioner know you’re nervous. Saying it out loud can help ease anxiety. Practise deep breathing as they draw your blood, focusing and elongating your exhale to aid relaxation.

A urine sample should be your first wee of the day. Label your sample pot first, and then take your sample. Some urine tests may require you to wee on strips four times over the course of the day, but don’t worry, your practitioner will direct you.

The dreaded stool sample. Let’s be direct here. Taking a stool sample isn’t fun, but it can reveal all sorts of important things about your health.

We recommend placing some clingfilm loosely over the toilet bowl so you can easily take a sample. After you’ve taken your sample, slide your poop into the toilet and dispose of the cling film.

You can dab an essential oil under your nose for a little olfactory comfort – lavender is great for relaxation.

In summary

In clinic we’ve seen huge changes to people’s quality of life when they test their symptoms and treat the root cause.

If you’ve got time this summer, take a moment to consider the ‘why’ of your symptoms, rather than covering them with a band-aid.

Navigating your symptoms and figuring out which test is right for your needs and concerns is complex. That’s where our naturopaths come in. Chatting to one of our naturopaths can help clearly define the tests that are right for you, so you’re one step closer to figuring out the why, and getting a plan in place to regain full health.

Your moments of pause this summer could be used to find meaningful healing.

References 
Worldwide prevalence and burden of gastrointestinal disorders, 2021
40% of Hong Kong people show gut dysbiosis, 2020