The Optimal Lab Guide

Healing shouldn't be difficult.

Did you know that 80% of women experience hormonal imbalances,

but it often takes years to get a proper diagnosis?

Unfortunately, I personally experienced this struggle for six long years.

That's why I've created this guide - to help you avoid the same hardship
that I and countless other women have faced.

In this guide you will learn :

• Why to test your hormones
• How to order lab work
• When to test your hormones
• The importance of advocating for yourself
• The importance of optimal ranges
• Understand lab markers

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 Why hormone testing is important

Hormonal testing gives a clear insight of where your hormones are

at, and can put an end to a long and difficult guessing game.

Here are some common symptoms of hormonal imbalances:

Irregular periods, heavy & painful periods, or a complete absence of

periods.
Infertility or difficulty conceiving.
Menopause.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Thyroid disorders: such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Mood swings, depression, anxiety, and irritability.
Low libido, fatigue, decreased sex drive, or difficulty achieving
orgasm.
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight even with diet and exercise.
Insomnia, sleep quality, and cause difficulty falling asleep or staying
asleep.

It is important to note that not all women will experience the same
symptoms.

However, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above or suspect a

hormonal imbalance, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider to
determine which hormonal test is appropriate.

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How to get lab tests:
To request a lab test, you can ask a general doctor, an OBGYN, or purchase
your own at home lab test. Preferably an OBGYN, Endocrinologist, or a
naturopath (functional medicine doctor) will be the best fit to interpret your
results.
When to test:
Fasted, in the morning (8:00am), during the first 3 days of your menstrual
cycle. Progesterone should be checked on day 21 of the cycle.
*Stop taking Biotin at least 72 hours before testing since it
can affect insulin, thyroid
*Y our hormones fluctuate throughout the month,
therefore depending on what hormones you want to WHAT LAB TESTS TO ORDER
test , the timing of you draw can influence the results. CBC, CMP,

What if I don't have a period? Cortisol ,

If you don't have a menstrual cycle, any Free Cortisol,
day works. HS-CRP

What if I'm on birth control? Estrogen (Total), Estriadol (E2)

Progesterone, Testosterone,
You will not be able to test FSH, LH,
Free Testosterone,
estradiol or progesterone accurately.
SHGB, FSH, LH,
Types of testing:
TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3,
Blood testa re most commonly used but you
Thyroid Peroxidase and
can ask for a urine test, saliva test, or a
Thyroglobulin Antibodies,
DUTCH test.
Fasting Insulin, Fasting Glucose,
Additional Thyroid test: Hemoglobin A1C,
Having a doctor feel your thyroid is very
Ferritin, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12,
important. If your insurance covers it, I highly
Magnesium, Melatonin
recommend getting an ultrasound of your
thyroid if you have any thyroid issues.

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My doctor won't order my labs:
You are your own best advocate.
If your doctor refuses to test you, then please consider switching doctors.
Your care team is part of your health success.
If you are unable to switch doctors, ask them to write down in your chart
they refused to test your hormones... they hate that and will usually go
ahead and order them.

Advocating for yourself

I visited more than 15 doctors when I first started experiencing
hormonal imbalance symptoms. Despite repeated visits, I was
consistently informed that my lab results were normal, and that taking
birth control pills would alleviate my symptoms. Some doctors even
attributed my issues to my genetics and implied that my symptoms
were imaginary.
As a result, I felt helpless and defeated. However, after six long years
and as my symptoms worsened, I took it upon myself to advocate for
proper testing. Finally, after years of being told that my blood work was
normal and that nothing was wrong with me, I was diagnosed with
hypothyroidism and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

How can I find a Doctor who aims for optimal health?

Finding a doctor who uses optimal lab testing may take some research and
effort, but there are a few strategies you can use to increase your chances of
finding one:
Here is an incredible international database of functional doctors.
I also highly recommend Lark Swofford, who has guided me in optimizing
my labs. Here is the link for booking a consultation with her.

©Mila Mend All rights reserved.

 What each marker can tell us about your health

CBC (Complete Blood Count),

provides information about an individual's blood cells and overall health status
and measures the volume of blood cells that make up your blood.

CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel),

is a blood test that provides information about an individual's overall metabolic
health.

Cortisol
is a hormone produced in the adrenal glands that helps you manage stress,
regulate blood sugar, regulate metabolism, fight infection, and maintain blood
pressure.

Free Cortisol
measures of the amount of cortisol that is not bound to proteins in the blood.
Measuring free cortisol levels can help diagnose conditions like Cushing's
syndrome or adrenal insufficiency.

HS-CRP (C-reactive protein)

is produced by the liver. The level of CRP rises when there is inflammation
throughout the body. It is a marker of inflammation in the body.

DHEA-S
is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It can help find out if your
adrenal glands are working right.

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 What each marker can tell us about your health

Estrogens (Total),
measures the total amount of estrogen in the body, including both active and
inactive forms. Estrogen hormones are involved in regulating the menstrual
cycle, development of the breasts and uterus, and many other functions in the
body. Estrogen levels can provide information about menopause, menstrual
irregularities, infertility, hot flashes, and endometriosis.

Estradiol (E2),
is the main estrogen in non-pregnant females of childbearing age. It's mostly
made in the ovaries and is important for fertility. It also helps support brain and
bone health.

Progesterone,
plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle and preparing the uterus for
pregnancy. Progesterone is used to identify whether ovulation has occurred
and is used in the investigation of infertility.

Testosterone,
promotes muscle and bone strength, brain function, fat distribution, heart
function, blood vessels production, energy levels and sex drive. Levels can
provide information about symptoms such as low sex drive, fatigue, and
decreased muscle mass, irregular menstrual cycles, acne, and hirsutism.

SHGB (Sex hormone-binding globulin),

is a protein that binds to sex hormones. SHBG testing is most often used to
gather information about how testosterone is working in the body.

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 What each marker can tell us about your health

FSH,
helps control menstruation and triggers the release of eggs from the ovaries.
Imbalances with FSH can cause infertility and can also have an effect on
puberty, periods, and sex drive.

LH,
is a hormone that helps regulate the menstrual cycle and triggers the ovaries
to release eggs. Imbalances in LH can result in fertility problems. Testing can
help prediction of ovulation (by LH surge).

FSH : LH Ratio,
The FSH and LH ratio can provide information on ovarian function. It can help
determine infertility and if you have PCOS (LH higher than FSH)

TSH,
stimulates the thyroid gland and reflects thyroid function. It is used to screen
for all causes of primary hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Free T3,
the most active form of thyroid hormone that plays an important role in
regulating metabolism. Measuring levels of free T3 can help diagnose thyroid
disorders.

Free T4,
is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that plays an important role in
regulating metabolism and growth and development. Commonly used to
diagnose and manage hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

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 What each marker can tell us about your health
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO),
is an enzyme found in the thyroid gland. TPO antibodies attack and damage
TPO, which can lead to inflammation and damage to the thyroid gland. It is used
to diagnose autoimmune thyroid disorders, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and
Graves' disease.

Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb),

are antibodies that attack thyroglobulin, a protein produced by the thyroid
gland that is involved in the production of thyroid hormones. Levels evaluate
thyroid function and diagnose autoimmune thyroid disorders, such as
Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease.

Fasting Insulin,
measures the level of insulin in the bloodstream after a period of fasting,
usually for 8-12 hours. Measuring levels is useful in the diagnosis and
management of diabetes, PCOS, and insulin resistance.

Hemoglobin A1C,
measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. It is used to
monitor and diagnose diabetes and can provide valuable information about
long-term blood sugar control.

Ferritin,
is a protein that helps store iron in the body. Measuring ferritin levels in the
blood is useful in the diagnosis and management of conditions related to iron
metabolism, such as iron deficiency anemia and hemochromatosis, leading to
fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms.

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 What each marker can tell us about your health

Vitamin D,
is essential for many important functions in the body, including bone health
and immune function. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to insulin
resistance, and has been shown to have a role in regulating the production and
secretion of thyroid hormones.

Vitamin B12,
is a vitamin that is important for nervous system function and the production
of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to various health problems,
including anemia, fatigue, weakness, and neurological problems such as
numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.

Magnesium,
is an essential mineral that is involved in a wide range of biological processes in
the body, including energy production, protein synthesis, and muscle and
nerve function. Magnesium deficiency can include muscle weakness and
cramps, fatigue, and mood changes.

Melatonin,
is a hormone that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. Measuring levels of
melatonin may help diagnose sleep disorders. There is also evidence to
suggest that melatonin may play a role in the regulation of other hormones,
such as cortisol and growth hormone.

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 "Look, your blood
work is normal."

I got my results back, but they are "normal"

It's important to understand that the "normal ranges" on lab tests are based
on population averages and are not ne cessarily a reflection of what is
optimal for an individual.

Optimal lab testing is crucial, particularly when it comes to hormone testing,

as hormones play a critical role in maintaining overall health and wellness.

Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate many bodily functions,

including metabolism, mood, sexual function, and sleep. Even small
imbalances in hormone levels can have a significant impact on an individual's
health and wellbeing. Therefore, it's essential to have optimal lab testing to
ensure that hormone levels are within the range that is best for your
individual needs.

Additionally, optimal levels of certain hormones may differ based on age, sex,
and individual factors such as genetics and lifestyle. Therefore, it's essential to
work with your healthcare provider to interpret your lab results in the context
of your symptoms, medical history, and personal health goals.

By taking a personalized approach to healthcare, you can strive for optimal

health and wellness beyond what may be considered "normal".

©Mila Mend All rights reserved.

Optimal refrence ranges examples

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 Medical Disclaimer

Information provided in this document is for informational purposes

only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice
provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any
information contained on or in any product label or packaging.
Do not use the information provided in this document for
diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing
medication or other treatment.
Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional
before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic
supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem.
If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact
your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional
medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of
something you have read in this document.
Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have
not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are
not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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