Does your health feel like a puzzle?
This week, I procrastinated a little (okay, maybe a lot) by working on a 1,000-piece puzzle. As I was putting it together, I couldn’t help but think about how similar it is to our health. At first, it can feel overwhelming—just a pile of scattered pieces with no clear direction. But if we keep working at it, the pieces do fit together.
And just like my husband had to help me finish the puzzle, sometimes we need different perspectives to complete the picture faster. Female health, in particular, is much more complex than male health. If we’re being generous, men are like a 100-piece puzzle (and I mean that in the kindest way possible), while women are more like a 1,000-piece one. And as we get older, it can even feel like the picture on the box is changing!
The good news? It is possible to figure it out. When I work with Naturopathic patients or my Faster Way clients who feel stuck, blood work can be a powerful tool to speed up the process and bring clarity. Here are some of the most common tests I recommend:
Vitamin B12 & Vitamin D – Essential for energy, metabolism, and immune function.
Insulin Resistance Markers – Looking at fasting glucose and fasting insulin allow me to calculate your insulin resistance ratio. Insulin resistance commonly increases as a result of the hormonal changes that start in your 40’s, and can lead to weight gain and increased inflammation
Thyroid Panel – Includes TSH, T3, T4, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies to ensure your thyroid is functioning optimally.
Inflammatory Markers (ESR & CRP) – To check for underlying inflammation
CBC (Complete Blood Count) – Evaluates red and white blood cells and proteins like hemoglobin (made from iron).
I can order these tests for my patients through LifeLabs or Gamma-Dynacare. Having this information can make all the difference in understanding your health puzzle.
Another key piece of the puzzle is your nutrition and exercise approach. If you’re feeling stuck in this area, I have exciting news! On February 17th, I’m kicking off the 5-Day Melt Your Middle Challenge to give you a taste of a simple, effective and sustainable approach to these foundational pieces. It’s just $20 USD to join, and I would love for you to try this life-changing approach.
Click the link below to sign up, or reply to this email if you have any questions—I’d be happy to chat!