Gut health FAQ — your questions answered

A discovery call is a free 15-minute conversation where we discuss your health concerns, symptoms, and goals. It's an opportunity for you to ask questions about my approach as a gut health practitioner and functional medicine specialist, and for me to understand whether I can help you. There's no obligation — it's simply a chance to see if working with a registered nutritional therapist is the right step for you.

All consultations take place online through your dedicated client portal. Before your appointment, you'll complete a comprehensive health questionnaire and a food and lifestyle journal and upload any relevant test results for us to review. During the consultation, we'll review your health history, discuss your symptoms, nutrition and lifestyle in detail, and create a personalised health optimisation strategy. You'll have access to any recommendation, supplementation schedules and other resources through your private portal.

Initial consultations are 75 minutes, allowing time for a thorough review of your health history and the development of your personalised protocol. Follow-up consultations are typically 45-60 minutes, focusing on progress, adjustments, and next steps.

No, you don't need a referral. You can book directly with me. However, I always recommend maintaining a relationship with your GP, and I'm happy to communicate with your healthcare team if needed.

Absolutely. I believe in collaborative care and am happy to work alongside your GP, gastroenterologist, or other healthcare providers. With your permission, I can share relevant findings and recommendations with your medical team.

The most popular functional tests include comprehensive blood testing (over 100 biomarkers), state-of-art gut microbiome testing (microbiome analysis, parasites, inflammation markers), DUTCH hormone testing (comprehensive hormone metabolites), and organic acids testing. I have access to a wide variety of other functional tests, from heavy metals testing to mitochondrial function testing. These tests are recommended depending on your specific symptoms and health goals.

Advanced Functional Health Assessment includes a comprehensive blood and urine test. Gut Microbiome Testing and Rebalancing includes a state-of-art gut microbiome test. Any other tests recommended during your consultation are charged separately from consultations. During your initial consultation, I'll recommend which tests would be most valuable for your situation, and you can decide which ones to proceed with. I always prioritise the most impactful tests first.

Most tests can be done from home. Blood tests require a visit to a phlebotomy clinic (I'll provide locations), while stool and urine tests are collected at home using kits sent directly to you. The blood test takes around 3-5 working days. Other test results typically take 2-3 weeks, and we'll schedule a follow-up to review them together.

Not necessarily. While testing provides valuable data and can accelerate progress, we can also work together based on your symptoms and health history. Some clients prefer to start with dietary and lifestyle changes before investing in testing.

Obvious signs include bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhoea, IBS symptoms, and acid reflux. However, gut issues can also manifest as chronic fatigue, brain fog, skin problems, joint pain, anxiety, mood changes, frequent infections, and hormonal imbalances. As a gut health specialist, I find that if you have any chronic health issues, there's a good chance the gut microbiome is involved.

The gut microbiome is the community of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms living in your digestive tract. These microbes influence digestion, immunity, hormone production, mood, and much more. A healthy, diverse microbiome is essential for overall health.

Yes, absolutely. The gut produces up to 90-95% of your serotonin (the 'happy hormone') and communicates directly with your brain via the vagus nerve. Gut inflammation and dysbiosis can contribute to anxiety, depression, brain fog, and fatigue. Many clients report significant improvements in mood and energy after addressing gut health.

This varies significantly depending on the individual and the severity of gut dysfunction. Some people notice improvements within weeks, while others require several months of consistent work. Generally, I recommend committing to at least 3 months of focused gut healing for meaningful, lasting results.

No. While some dietary modifications may be needed initially to calm inflammation and support healing, the goal is always to expand your diet over time. A healthy gut should be able to tolerate a wide variety of foods. Restrictive diets are therapeutic tools, not permanent solutions.

I offer four main services: (1) Comprehensive Blood Analysis — a one-off deep dive into your blood biomarkers with personalised recommendations; (2) Gut Health Reset Programme — a 3-month programme with multiple consultations, testing, and ongoing support for comprehensive gut healing; (3) Gut Microbiome Testing and Rebalancing — a gut healing programme based on state-of-art microbiome test results; (4) Lab Results Review — a focused session to review existing test results you've had done elsewhere and develop your health optimisation strategy.

If you're unsure, book a free discovery call and I'll help you decide. Generally, if you have complex or long-standing gut issues, the gut microbiome testing or the 3-month programme offers the best value and results. If you're looking for a health MOT or have specific concerns about your blood markers, the Blood Analysis is ideal.

Yes, payment plans are available for the Gut Health Reset Programme. Please ask during your discovery call for details.

I'm committed to helping you achieve results, which is why I take a thorough, personalised approach. If you're not seeing progress, we'll reassess and adjust your protocol. That said, gut healing requires commitment — following recommendations consistently is essential for success.

I'm based in London, UK, but work with clients across the UK and worldwide via online consultations. As a registered nutritional therapist and functional medicine practitioner, I offer the same comprehensive gut health support online as I would in person. The beauty of virtual consultations is that you can access expert gut health practitioner support from anywhere.

I hold a Diploma in Nutritional Therapy from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (DipION), am a Certified Practitioner with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFMCP), and a Certified Healthy Gut Practitioner through the Microbiome Restoration Centre. I'm registered with BANT and CNHC.

You can book directly through my online booking system. Start with a free discovery call to discuss your needs, or book directly into an initial consultation if you're ready to begin.

I require 48 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Cancellations with less than 48 hours' notice may be charged in full. I understand that emergencies happen and will always try to accommodate genuine circumstances.