The tests and devices I recommend
I advise all of my health hacking clients to undertake a variety of targeted tests to gain insights into their data. Why? Because it gives you accurate insights into your individual current health and longevity status. I also recommend a variety of devices to help continuously track your data and progress so shifts can be fine-tuned.
Here are the tests I use with my clients
I offer a whole range of tests from blood, urine, stool and saliva tests to whole body MRI and DEXA scans, all tailored to your exact goals and needs.
These are my top 5 foundational level tests that I recommend to stay A.H.E.A.D. in your health
Age Test
-
A biological age test determines your cellular level age. There are a number of ways to measure biological age and my test of choice has 2 important features. Firstly it measures inflammation in your body, which is the central hallmark of ageing, resulting in inflammageing. And secondly it is a dynamic test, meaning that it responds to the lifestyle changes you make. This then allows you to more specifically map your lifestyle changes to your biological age trend to determine what specifically you need to sustain and what you need to shift in real time.
-
This is a finger prick blood test that you can do yourself from the comfort of your own home, or book into the clinic if you would like me or a member of my team to do the test for you. The test kit includes everything you need, with easy instructions on how to collect and return your dry blood sample.
-
It takes about three weeks for your sample to be analysed and to generate your result.
I will contact you as soon as your results are available to book your results reveal consultation.
Hormone Testing
-
Key hormone tests are related to your stress, sex and sleep hormones. This includes expanded hormone panels to check cortisol, melatonin, oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, SHBG, FAI, FSH, LH and prolactin. Other hormones that can be included are:
Extended thyroid function - TSH, T3, T4, reverse T3, autoantibodies (TGAB, TPO)
Bone function: PTH (parathyroid hormone) and Vitamin D.
-
Urine samples: collect your first urine sample of the morning and freeze it.
Saliva samples: collect saliva samples at specific times through the day.
The urine and saliva test kits include everything you need, with easy instructions on how to collect and return your samples.
Venous blood testing is also possible and a phlebotomist can be arranged to visit your home or workplace anywhere in the UK or you can visit my clinic in London, Marylebone.
Thyroid antibody levels which help gauge autoimmune response and may reflect metabolic irregularities and hypothyroidism. These levels may rise due to trauma, dysbiosis, inflammation (including thyroiditis) or progressive thyroid degeneration.
-
For urine or saliva tests, it takes about three weeks for your sample to be analysed and to generate your result.
For blood tests, results are usually available within a week.
I will contact you as soon as your results are available to book your results reveal consultation.
Ecosystem/Gut Testing
-
The health of your entire body is dependent on a healthy gut and gut microbiome. Gut microbes are codependent with one another and with our bodies and our activities.
My gut health test helps to get to the root cause of most gastrointestinal complaints including gas, bloating, indigestion, constipation and diarrhoea. The test provides detailed information on your digestive enzymes, intestinal inflammation, intestinal microbiome and it’s by-products, providing insights into diagnoses like heartburn, irritable bowel, mould/yeast infection and SIBO (small intestinal arterial overgrown), as well as non gastrointestinal issues such as eczema and mood issues.
-
The test requires you to collect a daily stool sample over 3 days.
The test kit includes everything you need, with easy instructions on how to collect and return your samples.
-
For stool tests, it takes about three weeks for your sample to be analysed and to generate your result.
I will contact you as soon as your results are available to book your results reveal consultation.
Anabolism/
Nutritional Testing
-
Food is the cornerstone of making energy (anabolism) and combined with utilising energy (catabolism) creates your metabolism. At its core, metabolism is affected by your mitochondria which make energy, by inflammation in your body, and by oxidative stress. My metabolic test looks at all 3 areas, assesses the effectiveness of your mitochondria in making energy and looking at your functional need for antioxidants, B-vitamins, minerals, digestive support, fatty acids, and amino acids. This allows us to target nutritional therapies to meet your precise needs and optimise mitochondrial function and energy, to correct nutritional deficiencies, and to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
-
The test requires you to collect an early morning urine sample and freeze it. If you are also testing your omega levels, this needs a finger prick blood test. The test kits includes everything you need, with easy instructions on how to collect and return your samples.
-
It takes about three weeks for your sample to be analysed and to generate your result.
Dr Alka will contact you as soon as your results are available to book your results reveal consultation.
DNA Testing
-
Your genetic profile provides information on how you are designed, resulting in the provision of 300 genetic reports across 20 categories – understand everything your genes can tell you about your health, athleticism, health risks, diet, and nutrition. Find out your chronotype and whether you are a night owl or a morning lark, discover your sensitivity to caffeine and alcohol, see how you respond to endurance and strength training, and more.
-
This is an easy to do saliva test which you do from the comfort of your own home.
The test kits includes everything you need, with easy instructions on how to collect and return your samples.
-
It takes about three weeks for your sample to be analysed and to generate your result.
I will contact you as soon as your results are available to book your results reveal consultation.
Dive Even Deeper Into Your Health With My Extensive Tests.
Here’s my more extensive range of tests (and if you don’t see what you need, just ask!). I work with a number of trusted laboratory partners to provide a suite of tests which include:
-
TruCheck Intelli Cancer Detection Blood Test - Brand New in the UK
This is a blood test that identifies up to 70 types of solid cancer tumours, even at very early, pre-symptomatic stages.
Cancer Markers Male
PSA, CEA, CA199, AFP, Light chains, Immunoglobulins, hs-CRP, FBC, ESR
Cancer Markers Female
CA125, CA153, CA199, CEA, HCG, AFP, Light chains, Immunoglobulins, hs-CRP, FBC, ESR
-
Vitamin A , Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B7, B9, B12, Vitamin C, Vit D(25OH), Vitamin E, Calcium, Albumin, Free Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron , Ferritin, Total Iron Binding Capacity , Transferrin, Glutathione, Alpha- lipoic acid, CoQ10.
-
Total Cholesterol, LDL , HDHl , Non HDL , TC: HDL ratio, Triglycerides, Lipoprotein a, ApoliporptoenA, ApolipoproteinB, Homocysteine, Fibrinogen, hs-CRP, Lp-PLA2, CK, CKMB, BNP, LDH.
-
Full Blood Count, ESR, hsCRP
Kidney Function - sodium, potassium, creatinine, urea, eGFR
Liver Function - albumin, alkaline phosphate, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, total protein, globulin
Nutrient and Metabolic Profile
Cardiac Profile
Hormone Profile
Cancer Profile Alzheimer’s Test
-
Full Blood Count, ESR, hsCRP
Kidney Function - sodium, potassium, creatinine, urea, eGFR
Liver Function - albumin, alkaline phosphate, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, total protein, globulin
Nutrient and Metabolic Profile
Cardiac Profile
Hormone Profile
Cancer Profile
Alzheimer’s Test
-
Apolipoprotein- Genotype E2, E3, E4.
-
Extensive diagnostic and preventative scanning and screening available at locations in London and across the UK: Ultrasound, Xray, CT, DEXA and MRI including whole body MRI.
Lab Partners
GlycanAge | Genova Diagnostics | Bio-Synergy | TruCheck
Not sure where to start?
Book a consultation with me to see how I can help you hack your health and longevity using data and devices.
The Devices I Recommend To My Clients
I use a number of devices with my clients. Whilst some of these devices are directly available to you to purchase, I always recommend using devices alongside medical expertise so you can fully understand the information you get from them. Most people who use devices without expert advice or coaching make misinterpretations and don’t use the devices to their fullest benefit. If you do however, want to purchase a device without being part of any of my specific plans or programmes to guide you, then you’ll find most of these devices on my products and patterns page with a link and a discount code for you to purchase directly,.
These are my top 5 foundational level devices that I recommend to stay laser-targeted on your G.O.A.L.S:
-
A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) gives you a continuous data stream of your glucose (sugar) levels over a 2 week period. This monitoring and feedback allows you to see in real time the impact of your sugar, sleep and stress on your glucose levels and make targeted changes to increase energy without the crash and minimise risks of insulin resistance, weight fluctuations and diabetes. I use Lingo as its app also provides useful information.
-
Oxidation is the process which underlies utilisation of fuel. By monitoring oxidation in your body you can gauge whether you are fat burning or carb burning. I use the Lumen device - a hand health breathalyser which measures your CO2 levels and RER (Respiratory Exchange Ratio) which helps to reveal your body's fuel source helping you to understand how your metabolism is affected by sleep, physical activity and nutrition, guiding you towards metabolic agility and optimal metabolic health.
-
High blood pressure often remains hidden until a fatal stroke or heart attack. Continuously monitoring your blood pressure not only allows you to spot early trends that indicate your blood pressure is rising but also to monitor the impact of diet, exercise and stress on your circulation and heart health. I use the Aktiia continuous blood pressure monitor - a device worn like a bracelet, without the need to regularly pump up a blood pressure cuff.
-
Light plays a pivotal part in health and habits.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy devices are an amazing tool to help with a wide variety of different needs. For example: improve your sleep, heal skin injuries, reduce fine lines, fight depression and anxiety, help with neurological disease, increase fat loss, speed recovery from exercise, increase strength and endurance, fight autoimmune conditions, and combat hair loss.
I use devices that vary in wavelength and size from torches for small areas to large panels for larger areas and more light.
Blue Light Therapy
Contrary to popular belief, blue light is not always the enemy and increased exposure to blue light at well timed periods throughout the day can increase energy, focus and concentration. Blue light glasses can help with this.
Blue Light Blocker Therapy
Blocking blue light at night is key to resetting your circadian rhythm and aiding sleep.
-
Understanding your sleep architecture is the first step to changing it.
The Oura ring helps to track multiple different metrics using your finger, as multiple aspects of your physiology affect your sleep and give key insights on the areas to target, including heart rate, heart rate variability, body temperature, and blood oxygen.
Want to dive even deeper into your data?
Here’s my more extensive range of devices I use for various tracking and therapeutic purposes (and if you don’t see what you need, just ask!):
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Cryotherapy
IV drips
Vagal stimulators and toners
Brain wave/EEG devices
