I’m a Nutritionist — But I Still Had Osteoporosis, Bloating, Sugar Cravings, and No Energy.

Jul 5

*Here’s how 3 simple functional labs uncovered the real reasons behind my symptoms — and why I run them with every client who isn’t getting answers from their healthcare provider.*

*all 3 are included in my* *Rediscover Your Hormone Harmony*
*the HTMA is included in my* *Fix Your Hormones and Fight Fatigue Program*
The Backstory
I was doing *everything right* — eating clean, working out, taking supplements, staying on top of my health. But I still felt off.
I was bloated after most meals.
Food felt like it just *sat* in my stomach.
I was ready for bed by 8 pm and often woke up feeling drained.
I craved sugar daily just to keep going.
My muscles were getting softer, even though I trained regularly.
I had a low-level anxiety I couldn’t shake.
And then… I was told I had **osteoporosis**.
Wait — **what?** I’m a *nutritionist.* How could this happen?
I knew I had to dig deeper. So I ran **the 3 labs I now use with all my clients** — and what I found changed everything.

LAB 1: GI-MAP — Gut Health

*This is an image of one section of that GI Map. (that shows how ‘busy’ my immune system was!)*

The GI-MAP showed I had multiple pathogens and opportunistic bacteria, creating inflammation and interfering with nutrient absorption. My digestion wasn’t just sluggish — it was overwhelmed.

Why this matters:

The gut and brain are intricately connected through what's called the gut-brain axis—a two-way communication network involving the vagus nerve, immune signaling, neurotransmitter production, and the enteric nervous system (often called our “second brain”).
Imbalances in the gut—like bacterial overgrowth, parasites, inflammation, or low secretory IgA—can contribute to fatigue, anxiety, depression, brain fog, and sleep issues. This is because the gut is responsible for producing over 90% of serotonin, the calming neurotransmitter, and plays a key role in regulating dopamine, GABA, and inflammation, all of which affect how we feel and think.
Inflammation in the gut → poor absorption → nutrient deficiencies → osteoporosis, fatigue, cravings.
Pathogens → low stomach acid → bloating, gas, food just sitting.

What I did:
Targeted antimicrobial herbs, digestive support, and a gut repair protocol — instead of guessing or just taking random probiotics.

What it saved me:
Time spent chasing food triggers. Money wasted on supplements that weren’t addressing the cause.

LAB 2: HTMA — Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

This test was a big "ah-ha."

It showed I had a **calcium shell** — meaning my body was storing calcium in soft tissue instead of using it properly.
**Low sodium and potassium** = poor digestion, exhaustion, and blood sugar crashes.
**Magnesium burn rate** = linked to lifelong anxiety.
**Mineral imbalance** = my body couldn’t utilize protein or nutrients from food.
**Why this matters:**
Blood work can look normal, but minerals live *in your tissues*. This test shows how your body is functioning at a cellular level.
**What I did:**
Started replenishing minerals based on my actual needs — and noticed calmer energy, better sleep, fewer cravings, and improved muscle tone.
My bones are healthy…by the way. More on that in another blog.
**What it saved me:**
Buying expensive supplements I didn’t need.
Preventing bone loss and hormone imbalances down the road.
The impact ‘health stress’ was having on my health.

LAB 3: DUTCH Hormone Test

This explained so much. My hormones were bottomed out across the board — estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA were all low. Cortisol was LOW — classic burnout.

**Why this matters:**
Low hormones = poor muscle tone, fatigue, low mood, poor recovery.
Flat cortisol = can’t wake up without coffee or sugar, can’t sleep, anxiety, belly fat.
Blood tests miss the full picture — this test shows how your hormones behave *over time.* Hormones fluctuate by the minute so looking at levels over a 24 hour period in the urine gives us a better picture.
**What I did:**
Supported my adrenals, worked on sleep and nervous system regulation, thinking patterns, ‘light’ exposure, used food and lifestyle first — then gentle supplements.
**What it saved me:**
Chasing hormone symptoms for years, wondering why workouts stopped working, and spending money on the wrong type of support.
Peace of mind, knowing that the hormones I’m now on, are being metabolized by my body safely
*Note: the picture on the right is from an older lab of mine. I feel much better now. :)*

What These 3 Labs Taught Me (and Teach My Clients)

Why you’re bloated (and how to actually fix it)
What minerals your body is desperate for (that you won’t see in bloodwork)
What phase of stress/burnout you’re really in — and how to reverse it
Why you’re craving sugar, yelling at your spouse, kids or anyone who crosses your path, not building muscle, or feeling “off” despite doing everything right

Why This Saves You Time & Money

Every guess costs you: another supplement, another appointment, another diet.

These 3 labs give you the full picture. They save you:

YEARS of trial and error
HUNDREDS (if not thousands) of dollars
And the emotional toll of thinking “it’s just me” or “I must not be trying hard enough.”

How It’s Different From Blood Work

Traditional Blood Labs >> Functional Labs

One moment in time >> Patterns and rhythms
A range that includes unhealthy people >> Optimal ranges
Based on Disease >> Focused on function
Often shows problems only once its serious >> Catches dysfunction BEFORE it becomes dis-ease
Leaves you guessing >> Gives you direction

Final Thought

If you feel like your body is working against you — even though you’re doing everything right — these 3 labs can change your life.
I’m not guessing anymore. And I don’t let my clients guess either.