Why I run a Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis on ALL of my clients!

A blood lab panel, by itself, may or may not give you the information you are actually looking for.

In fact, many people go to their doctor for lab work and are told that everything is normal—even when they feel anything but normal, let alone optimal. We don’t run labs just for reassurance. We run labs because we want answers. We want to understand why we don’t feel well.

In defense of the many skilled practitioners out there, it’s impossible to know everything about everything. How much insight we gain from labs depends on how comprehensive the testing is, how the markers are interpreted, and whether we are looking at patterns rather than isolated numbers. Individual markers rarely tell the full story, but when viewed together, they begin to reveal trends—and those trends tell your story.

“Tell us your story.” It might sound a little like a psychic reading or fortune telling—but in a way, it is. The body leaves clues. You just have to know how to read them.

Let me share with you a little about my own functional blood chemistry panel/story! 

My Symptoms

About a year after the birth of my second child, I was exhausted—and not the typical kind of “tired.” I was constantly short of breath, dizzy, and unable to move around the house without needing to lie down. These episodes would last about a week, then morph into severe brain fog, nausea, and migraines so intense I could barely see while driving my daughter to school.

I began rescheduling clients. I was miserable to be around. I felt like a total failure. I worried that my daughter would grow up with a mother who couldn’t function for two weeks out of every month. I didn’t want her to see me sick and defeated—I wanted her to see me thrive.

My relationship was suffering. I barely recognized myself, and my partner barely recognized me. As a last resort, I spent $1,000 on a 30-minute consultation with a well-known naturopathic doctor. I was told my adrenals were “taxed” and to take a glandular. It wasn’t accurate, and it didn’t help. I felt hopeless.

Finally, I ran my own labs.

Here’s What Showed Up

• Reactive hypoglycemia
  Not surprising in hindsight, though I would have denied it at the time. My blood sugar instability was placing stress on my adrenals, thyroid, and liver simultaneously.

• Low thyroid hormones across the board
  Had I only run a TSH through a conventional provider, I would have been told my thyroid was “normal.” But TSH alone does not tell us how much thyroid hormone is actually being produced, converted, or utilized. A full thyroid panel (Total T4, Free T4, Total T3, Free T3, Reverse T3) told a very different story.

  In my case, the pituitary—responsible for producing TSH—was under-functioning, likely due to chronic stress and HPA axis dysregulation. The feedback loop wasn’t working properly, so thyroid hormone production wasn’t being adequately stimulated.

• Chronic constipation and impaired estrogen clearance
  Poor gut motility meant I wasn’t clearing excess estrogen or toxins effectively. As estrogen activity increased, thyroid hormone production and conversion further declined, creating a vicious cycle.

  Around day 7 of my cycle, when estrogen naturally rises, my DAO enzyme production dropped and my histamine load increased—leading to headaches, sinus and jaw pain, insomnia, and worsening inflammation. Genetic SNPs compounded this pattern, keeping cortisol elevated and further burdening my liver.

• Low homocysteine
  This is often overlooked, but low homocysteine can indicate increased demand for sulfur and glutathione due to oxidative stress. In my case, inflammation, chronic gut issues, and toxic exposures were rapidly depleting my antioxidant reserves.

• Elevated MCV, MCH, MCHC, and RDW
  When viewed together, these markers suggested a functional need for B12, folate, and/or B6—whether from increased demand, absorption issues, or both.

• Low uric acid
  Another marker pointing toward oxidative stress.

• Low phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, magnesium, and vitamin D
  This pattern raised concerns about low stomach acid, poor absorption, hypothyroidism, inadequate protein utilization, and zinc depletion.

• Low albumin and globulin
  Suggestive of chronic inflammation, immune activation, and liver congestion.

• Low white blood cell count
  Commonly seen with chronic infections, nutrient deficiencies, and immune suppression.

These findings told a consistent story: significant oxidative stress. And despite doing “everything right” with diet and supplements, something deeper was being missed. Hint: mold!

Digging Deeper

Further testing revealed:

1. Extremely high H. pylori levels
   Two conventional tests had come back negative. This is why I don’t rely solely on insurance-covered screening tests.

2. A severe Blastocystis hominis infection
   At levels worse than any of my colleagues had seen, and a major contributor to autoimmune thyroid dysfunction.

3. Significant candida overgrowth and mold toxicity.
   Despite never having classic yeast symptoms.

4. Heavy metal burden, including aluminum and mercury.

5. Malabsorption
   My diet wasn’t the issue—my ability to digest and utilize nutrients was.

6. Nervous system overload
   I had a toddler, was breastfeeding, working, chronically stressed, and living in a constant sympathetic (“fight or flight”) state. This was clearly reflected in my labs.

Here’s the part I really want people to hear:

When we don’t prioritize sleep, safety, and stress regulation, the body becomes far less resilient to infections, mold, and toxic exposures. Low stomach acid—often driven by stress—creates the perfect environment for organisms like H. pylori and Blastocystis to take hold. Healing requires more than killing pathogens; it requires restoring the terrain.

What I Did

1. Optimized stomach acid with targeted HCl support

2. Supported bile flow to improve hormone and toxin clearance

3. Used binders to address mold

4. Added mitochondrial support

5. Addressed H. pylori and Blastocystis

6. Implemented a nervous-system-centered protocol and prioritized sleep

7. Shifted my mindset toward agency, compassion, and self-support

Within Three Months

• My energy returned

• Migraines resolved

• Chronic bloating and gas disappeared

• Depression and anxiety lifted

• I finally felt alive—digesting, absorbing, and utilizing my food

Every moment of every day, we have a choice in how we relate to our experience. Healing isn’t about chasing a magic supplement or protocol—it’s about addressing the whole system.

If you’re ready to understand what your blood chemistry is telling us, let’s start there.

Schedule your free 20-minute consultation today.