Testing and Supplementation

Why do we test?

Sometimes health and sporting performance are affected by the presence of toxins or lack of certain nutrients in the body. Since most tests range in price from around £15 to £500 it seems pretty pointless submitting blood, saliva, hair, urine or stool samples for analysis unless we have a pretty good idea what may be causing the problem. As such at DrDobbin nutrition, when after interviewing you it becomes clear that there is a problem that may relate to toxins or nutrient levels, we get you to fill in a relevant symptom questionnaire. From this we check to see if a certain test may be appropriate, and if you are happy with the price and the possibility of both positive and negative test results, then we send off for the test from the appropriate laboratory.

As an example, if a client was vegan and was suffering from many minor infections such as colds and had a decline in the sense of taste and smell then we'd check for any other suggestive symptoms with a symptom questionnaire and may then choose to submit a zinc test. On receiving the results back from the lab we'd be then know whether there was a need to change the diet or incorporate supplements into the client's regime.

What's involved in testing?

In most cases samples of blood, hair, saliva, urine or stool samples are required. Often these samples can be produced at home as long as instructions are carefully followed. Sometimes however it is neccessary to attend the laboratory to give the sample, as some are unstable unless processed quickly after being taken. For example blood samples may need centrifuging early on to separate red blood cells from blood plasma. Most labs provide a good set of kit and instructions for samples produced at home and you can of course always contact DrDobbin nutrition for advice.

Does anyone need to supplement?

For some people certain vitamins, minerals and other nutrients may not be available from foodstuffs in amounts that can fulfill their needs. In these instances supplementation whether orally or by injection can be the difference between life or death. For most people however the need to supplement is harder to assess.