Blood work & labs
Your doctor orders the tests. I help you understand what they mean for food, movement and daily life — and what to ask about next.
Why labs are part of the science byte
You can't coach around a low ferritin, an underactive thyroid or a creeping HbA1c if nobody has looked. Many of the symptoms people blame on age or stress — exhaustion, weight change, fog, low mood — have a marker that explains part of them.
Before a program starts I ask for recent results if you have them. If you don't, I'll give you a list of markers to discuss with your doctor. With results in hand, we build nutrition and movement around what your body actually needs.
What I do and don't do. I'm a coach, not a physician. I don't order tests, diagnose conditions or replace medical advice. I help you read your results, spot what's worth a conversation with your doctor, and adjust lifestyle factors within your doctor's guidance.
Markers I commonly review
A midlife baseline. Your doctor decides which are appropriate for you.
| Marker | What it tells us | Why it matters at midlife |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroid (TSH, free T4, free T3) | Thyroid function | Fatigue, weight change, cold intolerance and low mood overlap heavily with perimenopause; thyroid issues are common and often missed. |
| Ferritin, iron, B12, folate | Iron and vitamin stores | Heavy perimenopausal periods drain iron. Low levels explain a lot of "I'm just tired." |
| Vitamin D | Bone, immune and mood support | Widely low, especially in northern cities. Directly relevant to bone density after menopause and to muscle in men over 50. |
| Fasting glucose, HbA1c, fasting insulin | Blood sugar control over months | Insulin sensitivity drops as estrogen and testosterone fall. Catching a rise early is the whole game. |
| Lipid panel (LDL, HDL, triglycerides, ApoB if available) | Cardiovascular risk | Heart disease risk rises sharply after menopause; LDL often jumps within a few years of the last period. |
| hs-CRP | Inflammation | A rough measure of systemic inflammation that food, sleep and movement all influence. |
| FSH, estradiol, progesterone | Ovarian hormone status | Useful context, but they fluctuate so much in perimenopause that a single result can mislead. Symptoms matter more than one number. |
| Testosterone (total and free), SHBG | Androgen status | Relevant for men's energy, muscle and mood from the 40s onward, and sometimes for women too. |
| Cortisol (AM) | Stress hormone | Context for sleep, energy and where weight is stored. Interpreted carefully — it's a noisy marker. |
| Liver and kidney panels, CBC | General health screen | The basics. Occasionally these explain symptoms nobody expected. |
| Bone density (DEXA) | Bone strength | Not a blood test, but the one scan every post-menopausal woman and every man over 65 should ask about. |
How we use the results
Results become inputs. Low vitamin D changes what we prioritize in food and daylight. A rising HbA1c moves the nutrition byte toward protein, fiber and meal timing, and the tech byte toward a two-week glucose monitor. Low ferritin plus heavy periods becomes a conversation with your doctor and an iron-aware food plan meanwhile.
Bring what you have
Recent results from your GP, gynecologist, urologist or an annual physical are all useful. I'll also give you a "questions to ask your doctor" checklist — it's a free download on the resources page.
Ready to switch on your first byte?
Start with a free 20-minute call, or take the two-minute quiz to see which byte needs attention first.
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