Our expertise›Immune function

Immune function & inflammation

The immune system does far more than fight infection. It regulates inflammation, tissue repair, tolerance and the body's response to stress. When immune regulation breaks down, the effects can be persistent, wide-ranging and easy to miss.
Book your free discovery call

Free 30-min · No charge · No commitment

Why Immune function &
inflammation matters

Chronic low-grade inflammation is increasingly recognised as a driver of a wide range of conditions, from fatigue and pain to autoimmune disease and accelerated ageing. The immune system is not simply on or off. It requires precise regulation.

Many of the people we work with have immune patterns that have not been identified or addressed, even after multiple consultations elsewhere.

Concerns where
Immune function & inflammation
may play a role

Together with Dr Fiona Forbes and the medical team, we use over 400 biomarkers to understand the underlying factors contributing to symptoms.

Frequent illnessSlow recoveryChronic fatigueAllergiesFrequent illnessSlow recoveryChronic fatigueAllergies
EczemaPsoriasisAsthmaAutoimmune conditionsEczemaPsoriasisAsthmaAutoimmune conditions
Hashimoto's thyroiditisRheumatoid arthritisInflammationJoint painHashimoto's thyroiditisRheumatoid arthritisInflammationJoint pain
Food intolerancesLyme diseaseLong COVIDChronic infectionsFood intolerancesLyme diseaseLong COVIDChronic infections
Low resilienceRecurrent sinusitisLow resilienceRecurrent sinusitis

These concerns are not assessed in isolation, but always in the context of the full biological picture.

How immune function & inflammation
connects to other systems

Immune dysregulation rarely occurs in isolation. It is frequently linked to patterns in other systems.

Gut health directly shapes immune regulation. Over 70 percent of immune tissue is located in the gut
Chronic stress suppresses immune function and promotes inflammatory patterns
Hormonal imbalances, particularly cortisol dysregulation, affect immune tolerance
Nutritional deficiencies impair immune resilience and recovery
Sleep deprivation compromises immune repair and regulation

Our approach

At Forbes.health, we take a systems-based approach to immune health. We assess immune markers in the context of the full biological picture, including gut health, inflammation, stress and nutritional status.

That means understanding not just whether immune markers are elevated, but what is driving the pattern and how the body is responding.

“Our role is not only to identify what is out of range, but to understand how the body is functioning as a whole, and what may be driving symptoms beneath the surface.”

Dr Fiona Forbes

Dr Fiona Forbes,

Chief Medical Officer

How we assess

Relevant testing panels

The most relevant tests depend on the individual, their symptoms and their medical history. For immune function & inflammation, the following panels are frequently used:

Gastro-intestinal Map (GI-Map)

Evaluates the gut microbiome, pathogens, immune response and gut lining integrity. Gut health is one of the primary drivers of immune regulation, making this one of the most relevant panels for immune concerns.

Mucosal Barrier Assessment (MBA)

Evaluates gut lining integrity, inflammation, histamine and DAO production. Directly relevant to autoimmune patterns, allergies, skin conditions and systemic inflammation.

Organic Acids Test (OAT)

Adds context where immune concerns overlap with chronic infections, mould exposure, oxidative stress or gut-immune patterns. Includes markers relevant to yeast and bacterial overgrowth.

Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Panel

Tests for IgG and IgM antibodies for Borreliosis, co-infections and other tick-borne illnesses, including DNA detection of the causative species. Relevant where chronic immune activation, joint pain, fatigue or cognitive symptoms suggest an infectious component.

Food Sensitivities (184 IgG)

Tests reactions to 184 foods via IgG antibodies. Relevant where food-related immune reactions are contributing to inflammation, skin conditions or autoimmune patterns.

View all testing panels

From insight to direction

Whether navigating persistent symptoms or taking a proactive approach, the goal is always the same: to understand what your body is doing and why.

Book your free discovery call

Takes under 60 seconds · 100% obligation-free

Questions and answers

Frequently asked questions

It means the immune system is not regulating itself appropriately. This can mean overreaction, as in allergies or autoimmune conditions, or underreaction, as in frequent illness and slow recovery. Both reflect an imbalance rather than a simple deficit.

Yes. Low-grade chronic inflammation often produces subtle symptoms that are easy to attribute to other causes, such as fatigue, brain fog, joint stiffness and poor recovery. It is frequently missed in standard blood tests.

Yes. A diagnosis identifies the pattern, but not necessarily what is driving it. We look at the biological factors that may be contributing to immune dysregulation, including gut health, nutritional status, stress and environmental factors. Many clients find this adds a layer of understanding that supports their existing care.

Specialists focus on specific conditions within their area. We look at the broader pattern of immune and inflammatory activity and how it interacts with other systems. We are not a replacement for specialist care. We often work alongside it.

Start with a free discovery call. We will go through your symptoms, history and what has already been tried, and tell you honestly whether immune function is the primary area to address.

WhatsAppStill have questions?Chat with us on WhatsApp