Chronic fatigue, persistent bloating, unexplained skin conditions, mood swings or heightened immune sensitivity? These signals may point to an imbalance of the gut microbiome, also known as “dysbiosis”.
At Kensington Clinic in London, you can have a gut microbiome test carried out. This examination gives you access to a precise mapping of the bacteria that populate your gut, while helping you understand how they influence your overall health.
At our private clinic, this health assessment is primarily led by Dr Owen Woghiren, consultant in chronic inflammatory bowel disease and clinical nutrition. You benefit from a complete analysis, a rigorous medical interpretation and a micronutrition plan tailored to your profile.
Our
microbiome specialist
Dr Owen Woghiren : Our expert for the gut microbiome test in London
Kensington Clinic is among the private clinics pioneering the analysis of the gut microbiome in the UK, with diagnostic and care programmes built on the latest scientific advances in the field.
The microbiome pathway at Kensington Clinic is led by Dr Owen Woghiren, consultant in chronic inflammatory bowel disease and clinical nutrition at the Royal Free Hospital. His dual expertise (clinical gastroenterology and micronutrition) makes him a rare point of reference in the UK for patients seeking a detailed reading of their gut microbiome.
At our London clinic, his approach combines:
- A thorough review of the clinical history;
- Rigorous analysis of the gut microbiome test results;
- The design of a treatment plan blending nutritional adjustments, targeted supplementation and, where needed, medical treatment.
Dr Woghiren draws on the full team of gastroenterologists at Kensington Clinic (Dr Akeel Alisa, Dr David Simon, Dr Noriko Suzuki) for any further investigations: endoscopies, comprehensive work-ups, differential diagnosis.
Microbiome test in London:
why and when
to consult?
The gut microbiome is a genuine internal ecosystem: billions of micro-organisms (bacteria, yeasts, archaea) populate your digestive tract, in a density that exceeds the number of stars visible in the night sky. These billions of microbial cells contribute to digestion, to the synthesis of certain vitamins, to immune regulation, and to exchanges with the brain (via the gut-brain axis).
A consultation for a microbiome test in London is particularly indicated in the following situations:
- Chronic digestive disorders;
- Unexplained extra-digestive symptoms;
- Recurrent skin manifestations;
- Inflammatory or autoimmune background in need of further assessment;
- After prolonged antibiotic courses or infectious episodes;
- Preventive approach, within a logic of longevity and cardiovascular prevention.
A microbiome health screening, when properly interpreted, helps identify the underlying causes and guides a targeted treatment.
Conditions linked to a microbiome imbalance
Clinical studies establish links between dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and multiple conditions. The table below summarises the main spheres involved, based on data recognised in the UK and internationally.
System / Sphere | Associated conditions |
Digestive | Irritable bowel syndrome; chronic inflammatory bowel diseases; chronic dysbiosis |
Metabolic | Obesity; type 2 diabetes; hepatic steatosis |
Immune and inflammatory | Allergies; autoimmune diseases (spondyloarthropathy, polyarthritis) |
Neuro-psychiatric | Depression; Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease |
Post-viral | Post-Covid syndrome; Long Covid |
Preventive | Cardiovascular prevention; colorectal cancer; immune assessment |
This systemic dimension justifies having a gut microbiome test interpreted by a doctor trained in both gastroenterology and micronutrition, rather than delivered raw to the patient.
The consultation pathway
at Kensington International Clinic
Care for a patient undergoing a microbiome health screening at Kensington Clinic follows a structured three-step pathway:
You complete in advance a detailed questionnaire on your digestive habits, general health and medical history. A 45-minute consultation with Dr Woghiren then contextualises your symptoms.
You collect at home a stool and urine sample, sent to our partner laboratory for analysis. The results, including stool analysis and complementary markers, are available in around three weeks.
A second 45-minute consultation goes through the results and sets out a treatment plan including personalised micronutrition recommendations. Where necessary, further investigations or medical treatment may be recommended.
Our gut microbiome test options
in London
Kensington Clinic offers two packages for a gut microbiome test in London, tailored to the level of depth required.
Package | Fee | Includes |
Microbiome Analysis | £720 |
|
Microbiome Analysis + Complete Blood tests | £960 | Same as Microbiome Analysis + Complete blood work-up for a cross-reading of metabolic and inflammatory markers |
Most private health insurance policies cover all or part of the microbiome test. We recommend checking your cover directly with your insurer before your appointment.
A £70 prepayment is required at the time of booking; the balance is settled on the day of the consultation.
Cancellation: full refund more than 72 hours in advance, £70 prepayment retained between 72 and 48 hours, full charge less than 48 hours before.
FAQ
Is a microbiome test really useful?
Yes, as long as it is interpreted by a trained doctor and integrated into a coherent clinical approach.
A microbiome test cross-references your analysis results with your symptoms, your medical history and your health goals. Without this framework, the raw data of a test has little actionable value.
The most relevant microbiome tests in the UK are those that shed the clearest light on unexplained chronic digestive disorders, inflammatory or autoimmune conditions, metabolic imbalances, and demanding preventive approaches.
What does a gut microbiome test in London reveal?
A gut microbiome test in London provides a detailed report across several dimensions:
- The overall bacterial diversity, a marker of the robustness of your gut flora.
- The balance between major families (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, etc.).
- The presence and abundance of protective or pathogenic species.
- Functional markers: fermentation capacity, production of short-chain fatty acids, intestinal inflammatory markers.
This overview serves as the basis for a personalised micronutrition plan and, where relevant, further investigations.
What is the difference between consulting on the NHS and at a private clinic for a microbiome test in London?
The two routes differ on several practical points:
- Accessibility: microbiome tests are not offered on the NHS outside of targeted research protocols, whereas they are available within three weeks at a private clinic.
- Medical interpretation: the interpretation consultation is integrated into the private pathway, which is rarely the case with direct-to-consumer kits sold online.
- Follow-up: the micronutrition plan and any further investigations are led by the same specialist.
- Languages: consultations in English, French and Arabic at Kensington Clinic.
No GP referral letter is required for private clinic consultations.
