TESTme Health is an independent food intolerance testing service based in Inverness. Iona Urquhart founded the business in 2010 and continues to run it personally today.
Iona is a Certified Nutrition Coach with more than 15 years of experience in food intolerance testing and practical dietary support. She works with clients across the Highlands and Islands, as well as people throughout the UK through TESTme’s at-home kits.
I Was The Client First
Like many of the people I now work with, I spent much of my twenties dealing with symptoms that nobody could properly explain. I tried the obvious things, removed the foods I thought might be the problem and still felt as though I was getting nowhere.
The turning point came when I found testing that gave me somewhere to start and, just as importantly, someone who took the time to explain it. The results were only one part of it. What made the real difference was understanding what they meant and what I could actually do next.
That experience shaped everything I’ve built TESTme around. Anyone can send you a list of foods, because testing is the easy part. The part that’s actually helpful is making sense of what comes afterwards.
Why There’s a Junior Test
I’m a mum, and managing your own health is one thing. Trying to work out what’s going on with a child who can’t quite explain how they feel is something else entirely.
It can be confusing and worrying, and before long you’re second-guessing every meal. The Junior kit uses the same blood-based testing method as the Gold test, but focuses on 130 common foods and costs less. It gives parents a more manageable place to start without removing half the cupboard on a hunch.
My Training and Experience
I trained under Stan Richardson, who ran Bio Med Scan and taught me a great deal about food intolerance testing. His approach still influences how I work today, particularly the importance of putting the client first and being honest about what a test can and can’t tell you.
I’m also a Certified Nutrition Coach through the International Food Matters Nutrition Certificate Programme and a member of the EAACI Allied Health and Primary Care Section.
I’m not a dietitian and I don’t diagnose medical conditions. My role is food intolerance testing, helping you understand your results and providing practical support with what comes next. If something needs medical investigation, I’ll always be clear about where my role stops and where your GP should take over.
How I Work
All of our tests include the TESTme Handbook and ongoing support from me. Questions often begin once you’re back in your own kitchen, reading labels and wondering what to use instead. If you need extra help, you can email me, and if it’s easier to talk something through, I’ll arrange a quick call.
You can visit the TESTme clinic on Stephens Brae in Inverness, where I see clients from across the Highlands and Islands, or choose an at-home kit delivered anywhere in the UK.
Whichever route you choose, your support comes directly from me.