Case studies

Case 1:

A 49-year-old woman presented with debilitating menopausal symptoms including fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, poor sleep, low mood and weight gain. She had already started Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which had provided some improvement, but she continued to struggle with significant symptoms that were affecting her quality of life and ability to function.

A comprehensive consultation revealed a long history of hormonal symptoms dating back to her teens, including severe premenstrual symptoms, heavy periods and signs suggestive of oestrogen dominance. Advanced hormone testing using a DUTCH test identified persistent hormonal imbalances, together with impaired hormone metabolism. Nutritional testing also revealed multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies that were impacting energy production, mood and resilience.

Rather than focusing solely on hormone replacement, her treatment plan addressed the wider biological picture. This included targeted nutritional supplementation, dietary and lifestyle interventions, support for hormone metabolism and optimisation of her existing HRT regimen.

Within three months, her energy levels had improved significantly, brain fog had lifted and she was sleeping more consistently. Her anxiety reduced, her weight stabilised and she felt more resilient both physically and emotionally. Six months later, she reported feeling healthier than she had in many years and described the menopause treatment approach as the missing piece that HRT alone had not provided.

Case 2:

A 39 year old woman with primary unexplained infertility for 9 years and severe pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS) symptoms. Poor lifestyle and diet accompanied a highly stressful job. She was referred to me by her fertility acupuncturist for a more holistic approach to her health.

Blood tests revealed, chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalance and autoimmune (Hashimoto’s) thyroiditis with a gene profile which poorly converts into the active thyroid hormone. Thyroid insufficiency can cause infertility and early miscarriage. The overburden of stress had contributed to her ill-health.

Her management plan included a prescription of thyroid hormones and a hormonal precursor, food supplements and thyroid cofactors. The patient was coached for stress and taught coping mechanisms to help her through her difficult fertility journey and she made dramatic lifestyle changes to accompany this.

Following 3 months of her functional treatment, she has lost significant weight, gained energy, PMS symptoms had improved and her inflammatory blood markers had returned to normal.

Case 3:

A 34 year old man with poorly controlled Ulcerative Colitis presented with multiple episodes of bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss, anaemia as well as lack of energy and motivation. He was under the care of a mainstream gastroenterologist and on multiple medications including immunosuppressants and high dose steroids. His diet was poor and included daily fizzy sodas, fast food and high sugars. He was advised by his specialist that dietary changes would not make any difference to his condition and therefore continued on this diet.

Prior to any comprehensive testing or treatment, He was started on an elimination diet based on a combination of FODMAP and GAPS diet. His symptoms began to improve dramatically within weeks. A comprehensive ground-breaking stool test revealed an acute infection with Aeromonas species of bacteria as well as parasites. He was treated with  antimicrobial herbs and specific strains of probiotics. On retesting 8 weeks later, his stools still revealed significant dysbiosis (bad bacteria) persisted. He was prescribed an 8 day course of antibiotics for his gut dysbiosis.

At the 3 month review the colitis was in complete remission. He was taken off the total elimination diet and follows a more nutritional diet plan. He has weaned off his steroid treatment with the support of his specialist and only takes one conventional drug to manage his condition. His calprotectin level, a marker of ulcerative colitis, had returned to the normal range.

Case 4:

45 year old female with newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes and weight gain. An in-depth consultation revealed a medical history of polycystic ovarian syndrome, undiagnosed gestational diabetes, premenstrual tension and depression. She struggled to lose weight and suffered from severe lethargy.

This patient was suffering from many aspect of the metabolic syndrome. Her stressful life and low energy meant making poor food and lifestyle choices. Blood tests revealed chronic inflammation and the leaky gut syndrome. She was put on an elimination diet, increased activity and gut repairing treatment regime for 6 weeks and then weaned onto an individualised cardio-metabolic diet plan. She was prescribed a hormonal precursor to help balance her hormones.

At 3 months, the patient had lost 2 stones in weight, felt energized and was able to wean off her antidepressants.

Case 5:

A 3 year old girl with severe eczema, poor growth and behavioral issues.  The behavioural issues were uncontrolled tantrums and anxiety and fears. She had been seen by conventional specialists who had offered steroid creams and advised she was likely to “grow out of it.”

Following an in-depth consultation diving into all aspects of the child’s health, it became apparent that the root cause was the gut health. Extensive food allergy testing revealed she was had intolerance to bananas and eggs, among other foods. Her vitamin and mineral status showed multiple deficiencies, above all was a completely depleted vitamin B3 level and a inadequate fatty acid status. Studies have shown that Vitamin B3 deficiency is linked to anxiety, and a poor fatty acid status is linked to skin conditions.

Her comprehensive treatment plan included an individualised elimination diet and aggressive supplement regime.  Symptoms began to improve within 6 weeks. On reviewing the little girl 1 year later, her eczema had completely resolved, she was described as being “chatty” at school, and her tantrums were less frequent and much better controlled. She had also jumped up from under the 2nd growth centile to above the 9th centile for her height.