Have you had tests done with your GP and been told everything's fine - even though you don't feel fine? This is a really common and frustrating experience for many women! There are other tests and interpretations which your GP will likely not run, and these can give you the answers you're looking for!
Due to Medicare restrictions and differences in training, your regular blood tests may not be very thorough, and as long as they're within the 'range' you'll likely be told there's nothing wrong - even if your symptoms say otherwise!
Qualified Naturopath's and Nutritionists can assess your blood results differently and look for optimal levels - not just anywhere in the 'range'. We also use other functional testing which can give you a better indicator of your nervous system and stress, hormones including thyroid, estrogen and progesterone, and also your digestive function. These areas have a huge impact on your energy, mood, menstrual cycle, fertility and ability to regulate weight. Certain tests can help us to see where there are imbalances in your body which can make treatment more specific to your needs.
Some of these tests include other blood tests, such as testing your three thyroid hormones, not just TSH. Also assessing you have optimal iron levels and iron stores, vitamin D and B12 - which are commonly low in clients. Saliva testing is used to assess other hormones such as cortisol, estrogens and progesterone, while a stool sample can provide a wealth of information regarding your digestive and immune function - including bacterial imbalances (dysbiosis), how well you're digesting food and levels of inflammation or gut permeability (leaky gut) - which is typically involved in auto-immune conditions, allergies and skin issues.
Higher levels of estrogen are associated with a higher risk of certain disease and cancer including breast cancer - so knowing where your levels are at now and working on re-balancing them can not only help with current symptoms, such as painful or heavy periods, but also help prevent disease in the future. This is also true of low Vitamin D, high homocysteine, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and their increased risk of disease - but which there's lots you can do to restore your levels to promote good health and prevent disease!
Unfortunately Naturopath testing isn't covered by Medicare, but we can assess any recent tests you've already had done with GPs and specialists, which can limit further testing costs. Tests range from around $20 for some blood tests to $100-$400+ for more in depth functional testing.
As a holistic healthcare practitioner I look at certain tests but also the symptoms you're experiencing - and work with you to figure out which underlying factors are contributing to your symptoms. Rather than just trying to eliminate a symptom, we look at the underlying imbalances that are contributing to your health concerns - there's usually more than one and rarely one solution that will suit everyone!
If you'd like to find out more about testing or work on getting to the bottom of your health concerns, I'd love to help you.
Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances, anxiety and fatigue. The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype. You can contact Marion here.