Microbiome testing: Shotgun metagenomics
Understand your gut. Improve your hair.
The health of your scalp is directly influenced by the health of your gut. That’s not wellness marketing—it’s molecular biology. Microbiome testing is one of the most advanced tools we use to uncover hidden drivers of hair loss, inflammation, nutrient deficiency, and hormone imbalance.
Unlike standard stool tests or 16S testing, we use shotgun metagenomic sequencing—the gold standard in microbiome analysis. It gives us species-level identification and functional insights into the bacteria, fungi, viruses, and yeasts that live in your gut.
Why test the gut for hair loss?
The gut is your primary site of:
- Nutrient absorption (iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin D, B12)
- Short-chain fatty acid production (critical for immune and inflammatory regulation)
- Estrogen and androgen detoxification
- Immune system calibration (70%+ of immune cells are gut-associated)
When this environment is imbalanced—through antibiotic use, stress, poor diet, or other factors—it can result in:
- Increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”)
- Systemic inflammation that affects the follicle
- Reduced conversion and absorption of key hair-supportive nutrients
- Increased recirculation of hormones like estrogen and DHT
- Imbalances in histamine, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or yeast overgrowth
- Downregulation of bile acids and impaired fat-soluble vitamin absorption
What the test tells us
Using a single stool sample, we can assess:
- The abundance of commensal vs. opportunistic species
- Presence of pro-inflammatory pathogens (including LPS producers)
- Fungal and yeast overgrowth (e.g. Candida spp.)
- Functional gene pathways for: B-vitamin synthesis, butyrate and SCFA production, estrogen metabolism (via B-glucuronidase activity), sulfur metabolism and detoxification, histamin degradation (via DAO pathways)
We also assess the overall diversity index—a marker strongly linked to skin barrier function, scalp inflammation, and immune balance.
Who this is for?
- Clients with diffuse or inflammatory hair loss
- Those with digestive symptoms (bloating, reflux, IBS, irregular stools)
- Clients with a history of recurrent infections or antibiotic use
- Individuals with nutritional deficiencies that don’t correct easily
- Clients with autoimmune tendencies, histamine intolerance, or hormonal imbalances
What you’ll receive
- A clinical-grade, full-spectrum microbiome report
- Functional analysis of your gut ecosystem
- A 1:1 consultation to interpret the findings
- A tailored gut support and rebalancing protocol—including diet, targeted supplements, and lifestyle strategies
- Recommendations for further blood or genetic testing where needed
Because your hair and scalp health starts in your gut
Hair growth gets deprioritised when digestion, detoxification, or immune regulation are under strain. Microbiome testing allows us to go upstream, ahead of digestion.
Microbiome testing – £345 (add-on cost)
We offer advanced shotgun microbiome testing through our partner, London Blood Tests. This comprehensive stool analysis uses next-generation sequencing to identify the full spectrum of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes living in your gut. Unlike basic tests, shotgun sequencing reveals strain-level data and functional pathways—giving us precise insight into how your gut health may be influencing inflammation, nutrient absorption, and even hormone recycling, all of which can affect the scalp and hair follicle. The test costs £345 and includes a detailed clinical interpretation with tailored dietary, supplement, and therapeutic recommendations based on your results.