The medical side
Dr Daniel Blanckenberg and Maryke Gallagher in Cape Town, by video
Dr Dan and Maryke consult from Cape Town on video. The tests and the sessions happen in Nairobi, and they read your results on the call.
Dr Daniel Blanckenberg
Integrative doctor, Expand Health Cape Town
Dr Daniel Blanckenberg is an integrative doctor at Expand Health Cape Town, trained in integrative and functional medicine. He works mostly with chronic illness, and he starts by looking for what is driving it.
The first consultation is long: medical history, lifestyle, diet, sleep, stress and any lab tests you already have. If something needs testing he orders it, then writes a plan covering food, lifestyle, supplements and, where it is needed, peptides or hormone therapy.
From Nairobi you see him by video. After the first consult he orders the testing your case needs, reads the results with you on the follow-up, and writes the plan: which sessions and how often, supplements, and where indicated peptides or hormone therapy. The sessions in the plan you do in the garden room.
Book a consultIndependent registered practitioner. Consults are booked, priced and paid through Expand Health Cape Town.
Maryke Gallagher
Registered dietitian, Expand Health Cape Town
Maryke Gallagher is a registered dietitian with a BSc and MSc in Nutrition (cum laude) from Stellenbosch University. She builds plans around what you already eat and what you will actually keep doing, whether the aim is prevention or managing a diagnosis.
Before the first call she asks for whatever results you already have, blood, genetic or allergy, then goes through family history, sleep, exercise, medication, supplements and what you actually eat in a normal week. If there is a diagnosis the diet is built around it. The follow-up a few weeks in is where the plan gets adjusted.
She and Dr Dan work together at Expand Health, so if you see both, she has his notes and your bloods before your call and builds the food plan from them.
Book a consult with MarykeIndependent registered practitioner. Consults are booked, priced and paid through Expand Health Cape Town.
What they work on
The same areas as the Cape Town clinic
Between them Dr Dan and Maryke cover the areas below. Tell us what you're dealing with and we'll say who to start with.
Testing
Testing, done in Nairobi
Any test the Cape Town clinic orders can be done from Nairobi. Bloods are drawn at a partner lab here, the rest are home kits we courier. Dr Dan orders what your case needs, not the whole list.
Longevity blood panel
Around 90 markers: metabolic, lipids, thyroid, sex and adrenal hormones, inflammation, vitamins and minerals, read against optimal ranges, which are tighter than the lab's normal range.
Drawn at a partner lab in Nairobi. Results go into your Expand Health record and to Dr Dan.
Metabolic and hormone panels
Insulin, HbA1c, lipids and the rest of the metabolic picture; a full sex, thyroid and adrenal hormone panel where the case needs it.
Blood draw in Nairobi.
DUTCH hormone test
Urinary hormone metabolites from Precision Analytical, the detailed view of cortisol, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone pathways.
Home collection kit, dried urine, couriered.
Gut microbiome, Nordic Labs
Stool sequencing for gut bacteria, diversity and markers linked to digestion, immunity and mood.
Home collection kit, couriered from Nairobi.
GI-MAP
Stool PCR for pathogens, parasites, H. pylori, yeast and gut inflammation markers, used when there are symptoms to chase down.
Home collection kit, couriered.
Genetics and nutrigenomics
DNA-informed nutrition and longevity genetics (3X4, DNAlysis), plus a gut genetic test where relevant.
Cheek swab kit, done at home.
Epigenetic age
Biological age from an epigenetic clock, the marker to repeat after a few months on the plan.
Blood spot kit, done at home.
Heavy metals and toxins
Blood or urine screen for lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium and environmental toxins.
Drawn in Nairobi or home kit depending on the test.
Food sensitivities, omega-3 and vitamin D
IgG food sensitivity panel, omega-3 index and vitamin D, the three most common add-ons to a first plan.
Blood draw or finger-prick kit.
Priced per test. Message us for the current list.