Every 1:1 program I offer includes bloodwork. Why? Because it lays the foundation for a nutrition and lifestyle protocol that actually works. Lab testing isn’t required to make healthy habit changes, but it sure helps. For more on why, read this blog.

Instead of rehashing all the reasons today, I thought it’d be fun to walk you through my own bloodwork to show you exactly how I use these results in practice.

First, a quick disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, so I don’t treat or diagnose illness. Instead, I use labs to help identify imbalances or roadblocks that might be keeping you from reaching your goals, and then we address them using food, supplements, and lifestyle changes. This blog is for informational purposes only and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice.

What’s Different About Functional Bloodwork?

Now, you might be wondering, “How does this differ from the labs I get at my doctor’s office?”.

In conventional medicine, bloodwork is primarily used to diagnose illness. Doctors look to see if your results fall within the “normal” range, which is determined by averages from the general population. But just because your results are in the normal range doesn’t mean they’re optimal for you, and that’s where the functional approach comes in.

In functional nutrition, we look at functional ranges, which are more narrow and focused on what’s optimal for your health. The goal isn’t just to avoid disease, but to thrive. By identifying imbalances early, we can tackle underlying issues before they become bigger problems.

What Do I Test For?

With bloodwork, we can dive deep into key areas of your health. Some of the markers I commonly look at include:

• Thyroid function: Even slight thyroid imbalances can affect everything from energy levels to weight and mood.
• Liver function: Your liver plays a major role in detoxification and hormone metabolism.
• Blood sugar and insulin levels: Understanding how well your body handles glucose can give us insight into energy fluctuations, cravings, and weight changes.
• Inflammation markers: Chronic inflammation is often at the root of many health issues, from fatigue to autoimmune conditions.
• Cholesterol and lipid profiles: These can give us insight into cardiovascular health, but I also look deeper into cholesterol metabolism, which is key for hormone production.

And this is just the start. Bloodwork gives us a comprehensive picture of what’s happening inside your body.

My Recent Blood Work: A Case Study

The best way to show how this works is by using my own bloodwork as an example. I typically run a full panel on myself at least once a year to assess how well I’m taking care of my body. One pattern that’s been consistent over the years is elevated lipids (thanks to a genetic predisposition for high LDL cholesterol), signs of liver burden, and a trend toward hypothyroidism.

My most recent bloodwork was from August, about 13 months after my previous panel. Ideally, I would have tested more frequently—especially after completing several protocols in that time—so I could track whether they were actually effective. But, here we are, and I’m ready to dive into the data!

But first, here is a list of all markers I pull for bloodwork:

• Apolipoprotein Assessment
• C-Reactive Protein (CRP), High Sensitivity
• C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Quantitative
• Complete Blood Count (CBC) With Differential
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14)
• Ferritin
• Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
• Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c With eAG
• Homocyst(e)ine
• Insulin
• Iron and Total Iron-binding Capacity (TIBC)
• Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase (LD / LDH)
• Lipid Panel + VLDL + TC/HDL Ratio + LDL/HDL Ratio + CHD Risk
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Reverse T3
• Thyroid Antibodies (Thyroglobulin Antibody + Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibody)
• Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH)
• Thyroxine (T4)
• Thyroxine (T4), Free, Direct
• Triiodothyronine (T3)
• Triiodothyronine (T3), Free
• Uric Acid
• Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy

Here is a screenshot of my key markers of interest—the ones that are either outside the functional range (highlighted in yellow) or outside the lab range (highlighted in red). I’m not sharing my exact results because I have to maintain some level of privacy, okay!

What Are Indications?

Before we dive into the analysis, it’s important to understand what “indications” mean. These are potential factors at play when a marker is outside of its optimal range. Keep in mind that they are not a diagnosis; they are clues to investigate further. My role is to use my knowledge, critical thinking, and what I know about the client’s symptoms to determine if any of these indications apply.

Also, I never look at just one marker in isolation. Bloodwork is about spotting trends and patterns. Each marker contributes to a bigger picture, and that’s what helps me tailor protocols that address root causes—not just individual symptoms.

My Observations

Here are the key patterns I’ve identified in my bloodwork. The only item I haven’t included here is my HbA1C, which came back a little higher than I prefer. HbA1C reflects your average blood sugar level over the past three months. Typically, mine hovers closer to 5, but this time it came back at 5.4—right at the top end of the functional range. To me, this just confirms how stressful the summer was, and I expect it to come down now that the kids are back in school.

Cardiovascular Dysfunction:

• Homocysteine↑F *Total Cholesterol↑L *Chol/HDL Ratio↑F *LDL↑L *Apolipoprotein B↑L *Apolipoprotein B:A RATIO↑F
• I’m honestly disappointed in my lipid panel results, especially since I’ve reduced saturated fat and increased fiber for the past 3-6 months. However, I did do a 6-mile run within 24 hours of my labs, which can elevate LDL temporarily. Still, I don’t love these numbers, and I may consider bringing in bigger support (like red yeast rice) if I can’t lower them with dietary changes alone.

Liver Dysfunction:

• Homocysteine↑F *eAG↑F *Total Cholesterol↑L *LDL↑L *TSH↑F
• There are a few markers here that indicate my liver could use some extra support, but overall, I’m happy with my results. Both AST and ALT (the gold standard liver markers) are down from my last panel, and I’m excited about that progress!

Hypothyroid:

• TSH↑F *Total T4↓F *Total T3↓F *Free T3↓F *Total Cholesterol↑L *LDL↑L
• This is a pattern that consistently shows up for me. The numbers point to hypothyroidism trend, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on these moving forward.

Malabsorption/Hypochlorhydria:

• Potassium↓F *Calcium↓F *BUN/Urea↑F *MCV↑L
• These markers suggest my digestion might not be operating at 100%, but it’s nothing too extreme. I’ll continue to monitor and make small adjustments as needed.

Nutritional Deficiencies:

• *Calcium↓F *Homocysteine↑F
• These are indicators that I may need more B vitamins in my diet. Nothing alarming, but worth paying attention to.

Now that I’ve identified my patterns, here’s what I plan to do:

• Reduce stress and stabilize blood sugar: I’ll be incorporating more post-meal walks and reducing my daily caffeine intake. I’m also considering adding in inositol, but haven’t decided yet.
• Support overall nutrition with a high-quality multivitamin.
• Add a cruciferous veggie supplement to give my liver a little extra love.
• Incorporate high-quality fish oil to help manage my lipid levels.
• Magnesium L-Threonate at night, because I believe every woman should be taking magnesium.
• Focus on 25 grams of fiber per day and continue choosing leaner cuts of meat to help improve my lipid panel.
• Eat two Brazil nuts a day for thyroid support (hello selenium!).
• Cut out dairy (mostly for my skin, not directly related to the lab work).
• Reduce processed foods and artificial sweeteners, which crept back into my diet when I was eating in a calorie deficit.

Wrapping it all up

So, there you have it—a glimpse into how I analyze my own bloodwork and the steps I take to keep myself on track. Honestly, it’s a process, and sometimes the numbers aren’t exactly what I want to see, but that’s the beauty of using data to guide your health. It’s about staying informed and making adjustments based on what your body is telling you—because guessing isn’t enough.

No one’s health is ever “perfect,” including mine. But with the right tools, we can make sure we’re moving in the right direction. Whether it’s supporting my thyroid, managing stress, or dialing in on my lipid levels, I know that each small step I take makes a difference. And remember, this isn’t about quick fixes or perfection—it’s about sustainability and feeling your best.

I hope this breakdown of my bloodwork helps you see how functional lab testing can be a game-changer for getting to the root of your health challenges. If you’ve been wondering where to start or feeling stuck in your own health journey, let’s chat. Bloodwork is just one of the many ways I can help you get real answers, so you can take real action. Apply to work with me here.