Dr Shilpa Davé FAQs - Functional medicine FAQs

Absolutely!  It is very common for patients to undertake a normal health screen to exclude serious medical conditions and have standard blood tests and then use a functional medicine approach to improve and optimise their health. This sometimes involves additional scientific testing for gut health or for hormone or biomarker blood tests such as FDX. More information around these additional tests can be found in the information links on this page.

Functional medicine can be very suitable for conditions that relate to inflammation and more fundamental body systems good examples include:

• Digestive problems
• Human issues such as menopause polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Skin issues such as eczema
• Mental health problems
• Thyroid disease
• Fatigue and burnout

Before you undertake a functional medicine appointment we send you a very detailed questionnaire which will cover many aspects of your lifestyle nutrition exercise and sleep concerns. At your appointment you will have a very detailed history taken and physical examination. Access to advanced functional testing and interpretation allows insight into the root causes of chronic illness and allows our doctors to create a tailored plan and also to track the progress of any health advice or treatment.

Sometimes more advanced testing may be recommended to delve deeper into the root cause of medical complaints or to help provide a better understanding of the systems within your body and what factors may be stopping you from achieving optimum health.

We partner with three main laboratories to provide comprehensive, advanced functional testing:

FDX Biomarker Blood Testing Our accredited testing partner, FunctionalDX, provides blood testing and health reports which go beyond traditional blood analysis to reveal more about your health picture.  In testing they apply up to 120 blood biomarkers and use predictive algorithims to help understand your future risk of disease and to allow us to understand and offer you the most effective therapy options.  Their sophisticated AI reporting algorithm analyses 13 body systems, 7 accessory systems, 7 macro systems and the status of 14 nutrients to provide the most advanced, comprehensive reporting on the market today. As an approved FunctionalDX partner, your Shilpa Dave Health practitioner will be able to guide you through a programme to restore and encourage optimal health.
	Click here for more information about FunctionalDX Testing
Genova diagnostics comprehensive stool test is an advanced test that provides information around your gut health and offers valuable insight into inflammation and the intestinal microbiome which is the bacteria and parasites that colonise the gut system.
DUTCH Hormone testing for some patients see those with fatigue syndromes or menopause issues a more detailed hormone analysis can be undertaken this is known as the DUTCH Hormone test Click here for more information