Gut health is the foundation of almost every aspect of wellbeing, and it is the system most commonly disrupted in women dealing with hormonal imbalance, immune issues, chronic fatigue and mood problems. The gut is where 70% of the immune system resides, where the majority of serotonin is produced, and where oestrogen is recycled and cleared from the body.
Standard digestive investigations (endoscopy, colonoscopy, basic stool tests) are designed to detect disease. They do not assess the functional health of the gut microbiome, inflammation levels, digestive enzyme activity or pathogen burden. Functional stool analysis does all of this and more.
The comprehensive gut health test I use provides a detailed picture of your microbiome: the diversity and balance of bacterial species, as well as markers of inflammation, intestinal permeability, digestive function and the presence of pathogens, yeasts or parasites.
Bloating, particularly after meals or in the evening
IBS-type symptoms: unpredictable bowel habits, cramping, wind
Food sensitivities or intolerances that seem to be worsening
Acid reflux or digestive discomfort
Hormonal symptoms linked to poor oestrogen clearance
Skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis or acne
Autoimmune conditions or recurrent infections
Fatigue, brain fog or mood issues
Gut health testing reveals what is actually happening in your digestive system, not what might be happening based on symptoms alone. The results guide a targeted protocol that may include dietary changes, specific probiotic strains, antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory support, and strategies to restore intestinal barrier function.
The gut-hormone connection is one I focus on particularly for women. The estrobolome (the collection of gut bacteria responsible for metabolising oestrogen) directly affects how much oestrogen circulates in the body. A disrupted microbiome can lead to oestrogen being recycled back into circulation rather than cleared, contributing to oestrogen dominance and heavy periods.
Gut health testing costs between £250 and £420 depending on the panel required, and includes a full results review and personalised protocol with Kat.
The test is done entirely at home using a stool collection kit sent directly to you. You collect samples and return them to the laboratory using the prepaid packaging provided. No clinic visit is required.
NHS stool tests screen for a narrow range of pathogens. A functional stool analysis examines the full microbiome across thousands of bacterial species, alongside inflammation markers, digestive enzyme levels, intestinal permeability markers and a broader pathogen screen including parasites and yeasts.
For best results, eat your normal diet in the week before testing. The goal is to see what your gut looks like under normal conditions, not under a temporarily improved diet.
Book a free discovery call to discuss your gut symptoms and whether functional testing is right for you.
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