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Woman reading personalised PCOS testing

Functional Testing for PCOS Hormone Health (UK)

Personalised insights to support PCOS symptoms, hormone balance & cycle health

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If you feel like you’re doing all the right things but your symptoms aren’t improving, the missing piece may be understanding what’s happening beneath the surface.

PCOS is not one condition.

Weight resistance, irregular cycles, acne, fatigue, cravings and fertility challenges can be driven by different underlying pathways.

For some women, insulin resistance is the main issue.

For others, it may be inflammation, stress hormone patterns, nutrient status or hormone metabolism.

Personalised testing allows us to move beyond general advice and focus on what your body actually needs.

 

This is about clarity, direction and a more strategic approach to improving your symptoms.

Why Consider Functional Testing?

Many of the women I work with come to me after years of trial and error.

They’ve:

  • Tried different diets without lasting weight change

  • Come off the pill and found their cycles haven’t returned to normal

  • Been told their blood tests are “normal” despite ongoing symptoms

  • Taken supplements without knowing if they’re necessary
     

Targeted testing helps us understand:

  • How your body is managing blood sugar and insulin

  • Your hormone patterns and balance

  • Whether low-grade inflammation may be contributing to symptoms

  • Nutrient levels that influence energy, metabolism and ovulation

  • Your individual metabolic tendencies
     

Instead of guessing, we can prioritise the areas that will make the biggest difference.

Testing is always used alongside your symptoms, history and lifestyle — never in isolation.

What Tests Are Available?

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Your testing plan is tailored to your symptoms and goals. Only relevant tests are recommended.

 

Metabolic & Blood Sugar Health

Understanding insulin resistance is central for many women with PCOS.

This may include:

  • Fasting glucose and insulin

  • HbA1c

  • Lipid profile
     

These markers help explain weight resistance, energy dips, cravings and long-term metabolic risk.

 

Hormone Patterns

Depending on your situation, we may assess:

  • Testosterone and other androgens

  • Oestrogen and progesterone balance

  • Prolactin (if relevant)

  • Cortisol patterns using advanced functional testing
     

This helps us understand cycle irregularity, ovulation challenges, acne, hair changes and stress-related symptoms.

 

Nutrient Status

Suboptimal levels of key nutrients are common in women with PCOS and can affect energy, blood sugar regulation and reproductive health.

Testing may include:

  • Vitamin D

  • Iron and ferritin

  • B vitamins

  • Magnesium
     

The focus is always food-first, with targeted support only where needed.

 

Inflammation Markers

Low-grade inflammation is increasingly recognised as a contributor to:

  • Weight gain

  • Fatigue

  • Metabolic dysfunction

  • Hormone imbalance
     

Testing helps us determine whether this is a priority area for your plan.

 

Optional DNA Pathway Analysis

For clients who want deeper personalisation, genetic testing can provide insight into how your body may be predisposed to respond in key areas such as:

  • Insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation

  • Carbohydrate and fat metabolism

  • Inflammatory response

  • Hormone detoxification pathways

  • Nutrient utilisation
     

This is not about predicting illness or determining your future.

Genetics show tendencies, not outcomes.

 

Used appropriately, this information helps us refine your nutrition and lifestyle strategy so it works with your biology rather than against it.

Functional test results personalised nutrition plan

The Personalised Testing Process

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Step 1 – In-Depth Consultation

We begin with a comprehensive review of:

  • Your symptoms and history

  • Current diet and lifestyle

  • Previous test results (if available)

  • Your goals for weight, cycles, fertility or energy
     

From here, I recommend only the tests that are clinically relevant for you.

Step 2 – Simple At-Home or Blood Testing

Most functional tests are completed at home using straightforward kits.

Where appropriate, NHS or private blood tests can also be incorporated.

 

Step 3 – Results & Interpretation

You’ll receive a dedicated consultation to:

  • Clearly explain your results (without medical jargon)

  • Identify the key drivers behind your symptoms

  • Prioritise what to focus on first
     

You will also receive a written summary for reference.

 

Step 4 – Your Personalised PCOS Plan

Based on your results, we create a targeted strategy that may include:

  • Blood sugar-supportive meal structure

  • Nutrient-dense food recommendations

  • Lifestyle strategies for stress, sleep and recovery

  • Practical habits that fit around work and family life
     

This is designed to be realistic, sustainable and effective over time.

 

Step 5 – Ongoing Support (Optional)

Follow-up sessions help you:

  • Stay consistent

  • Adjust your plan as your body responds

  • Build long-term habits rather than short-term fixes

Who This Is For

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Functional testing may be helpful if:

  • Your weight isn’t responding despite your efforts

  • Your cycles remain irregular or absent

  • Symptoms worsened after stopping the pill

  • You’re preparing your body for pregnancy

  • You want a more personalised, evidence-based approach

  • You feel stuck and want clarity rather than more trial and error

What Makes This Different

Testing alone doesn’t create change.

The value lies in expert interpretation and practical application.

Results are never viewed in isolation. They are considered alongside your symptoms, lifestyle and goals to create a clear, prioritised plan.

There is no long list of supplements.

No unnecessary testing.

No extreme protocols.

The focus is always on supporting your physiology through targeted nutrition and sustainable lifestyle changes.

Important to Know

Functional testing provides insight — not diagnosis.

Improvements in weight, cycles and energy happen gradually as your body responds to consistent changes over time.

The aim is to give you confidence and direction so you understand what your body needs and why.

How This Fits Into Your Programme

Testing can be included as part of:

For many women, the most effective approach is combining personalised testing with the structured support of the 12-Week Hormone Shift Method.

 

Testing can be added where appropriate to:

  • Accelerate progress

  • Personalise your strategy

  • Address complex or long-standing symptoms

 

If you’re unsure whether testing would add value for your situation, this can be discussed during your initial consultation.

Not Sure Where to Start?

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Book a call with a qualified nutritionist 

I’m a BANT-registered nutritionist specialising in PCOS. Learn more about me here.

Please book a Hormone Health Review to discuss your symptoms and whether personalised testing would be helpful for you.

Personalised PCOS Testing Packages

When symptoms aren’t improving, the most valuable next step is understanding what your body is responding to.

 

These pathways are designed to give you clear answers, expert interpretation and a focused plan — to help you start making targeted changes that work for your physiology.

 

All testing is optional and recommended only where it will add value.

The PCOS Clarity Review

Female client listening to her functional test results

A focused option if you already have recent blood results or want expert guidance on what to test next.

Includes:

  • 60-minute in-depth consultation

  • Review of your symptoms, health history and goals

  • Interpretation of existing blood tests (NHS or private)

  • Personalised testing recommendations (if needed)

  • Prioritised nutrition and lifestyle action plan

  • Written summary
     

Best for you if:

  • You’ve been told your tests are “normal” but don’t feel it

  • You’re unsure what testing is actually worth doing

  • You want clear direction without unnecessary tests

Price: £295

The PCOS Insight Pathway

Online 1:1 PCOS nutrition consultation for functional testing

Designed for women who want a deeper understanding of what’s driving their symptoms.

 

Includes:

  • 60-minute initial consultation

  • Personalised functional test recommendations

  • Full results interpretation session (45 minutes)

  • Clear explanation of your key symptom drivers

  • Personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan

  • Written report with priorities and next steps
     

Testing may include (as appropriate):

  • Metabolic and insulin markers

  • Advanced hormone testing

  • Cortisol patterns

  • Nutrient status

  • Inflammation markers
     

Best for you if:

  • Your weight isn’t responding despite your efforts

  • Cycles remain irregular or absent

  • You want clarity rather than trial-and-error approaches
     

Typical total investment including tests: £750–£1,200 depending on the panels selected.

The Advanced PCOS Pathway

Woman with PCOS doing her functional test

A comprehensive, high-support pathway for women who want personalised insight and ongoing guidance as they implement changes.

 

Includes:

  • 60-minute initial consultatio

  • Personalised functional testing plan

  • Full results interpretation session

  • Personalised nutrition strategy tailored to your physiology

  • Three follow-up coaching sessions (30 minutes each)

  • Ongoing adjustments as your body responds

  • Written summary and support materials
     

Optional add-on:

DNA Pathway Analysis (£250–£350 depending on provider)

This may provide additional insight into:

  • Insulin sensitivity tendencies

  • Carbohydrate and fat metabolism

  • Inflammatory response

  • Hormone detoxification pathways

  • Nutrient utilisation
     

Best for you if:

  • You’ve tried multiple approaches without lasting change

  • You want a fully personalised, guided approach
     

You prefer structured support rather than managing results alone

Price: £1,295 (plus optional DNA testing)

Female client reading her PCOS test results and meal plan

PCOS Functional Testing FAQ's

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Frequently asked questions

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