Q. Why are the clinics so early and why fasted?

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A. Testing hormones accurately is best early on in the morning (especially for men) and being fasted is important for both males and females as food can affect levels dramatically. We also ask people to keep hydrated and again this is important but particularly for an accurate body composition scan. 

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Q. Why don’t you offer finger-prick testing? It’s so much cheaper..

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A. That’s why we don’t offer it; it doesn’t tell you much, it gives limited information and has limited accuracy. Some companies offer it and use it as part of initial screening and it can be used for point of care (POC) applications, but we do not believe that is appropriate for our use.  

 

Venous samples are the gold standard because they provide larger, well-mixed blood volumes, reducing the impact of local tissue fluid contamination and sample variability.

 

Capillary (finger-prick) samples can have significant variability due to: Interstitial fluid contamination, there can be poor mixing of arterial and venous blood in capillaries (leading to inconsistent analyte levels) and they are more prone to hemolysis (rupture of red blood cells) which can give false samples for some markers.

Q. Do you offer testing for specific markers, can I just have my hormones or liver function testing for example?

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A. Yes but only for repeat patients. Initial screening should include everything, the more you know the better able we are to advise and the better able you are to make decisions. So many markers can affect each other and sometimes you may think it’s your hormone levels but it could be anything and even a combination of things. This is where our ‘Knowledge is Strength’ ethos comes from and it is why we offer the combined Body Composition Screening and Venous Blood Testing at a reduced rate.

Q. Will you be offering clinics in other locations and at other times?

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A. Yes,, we’re a small fledgling local company and have only recently secured our preferred laboratory and clinical support but our intention is to offer more and more clinics across West Yorkshire. Male hormone testing should be undertaken as early as possible and fasted so this is why they start very early but our female patients are able to attend at any point during the day.

 

Please keep an eye on the website for future dates and locations.