You finally made the appointment. You told your doctor about the 3 a.m. wake-ups, the 2 p.m. crashes, and the moods that change by the day. Then the patient portal message came through: “Your labs look normal.” So why don’t you feel normal?

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In this episode, Karin explains why “normal” on a lab report isn’t the same as well. She covers why a single hormone test can’t capture perimenopause, and which labs a standard panel often skips. She also shares how a missing nutrient can keep you tired and cramping even on HRT, and how one client finally got answers after being told everything was fine.

In this episode:

• What a lab “reference range” actually means
• Why your hormones are a moving target in perimenopause
• Labs to ask about: full thyroid panel, ferritin, fasting insulin, vitamin D, B12, and inflammation markers
• How heartburn medicine can lower B12 and magnesium
• Sherry’s story: taking vitamin D and still deficient
• Four steps to advocate for yourself at your next appointment
• Feeling dismissed, and being seen by the God who made you

Missed the last episode? Start with “I’m in Perimenopause and I’m Losing My Freaking Mind.”

Ready for someone to look at the whole picture, your full story and your full labs? Book an initial call at thrivefunctionalmedicine.health

This podcast is for educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Please don’t stop or change a prescribed medication without talking to your provider.

If you're a woman between 40 and 50 who's been feeling off and can't figure out why, this episode is for you. You're not losing your mind — the rules have changed. We break down what's really happening in perimenopause, the ripple effects on your gut, nutrients, sleep, and brain, and what you can actually do about it.

Keywords: perimenopause, hormone decline, estrogen, progesterone, gut health, nutrient deficiencies, B vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, sleep, decision fatigue, bioidentical hormones, functional medicine, women's health 40+, metabolism, recovery, nervous system support, thyroid, blood sugar

Chapters:

0:00 — Intro: You're Not Losing Your Mind

1:47 — Why the Rules Changed

3:53 — Ripple Effects: Gut and Nutrients

5:21 — Ripple Effects: Sleep and Decisions

6:20 — What We Do: Talk About It and Measure It

7:22 — Your Body Was Designed to Heal

7:47 — Gentle Hormone Support

8:09 — Supporting Gut Healing

8:36 — Taking the Stress Off Your Body

9:09 — Gentle Shifts Help With All the Rest

9:28 — Close: The Rules Have Changed

Ready to get started? Book an initial call at thrivefunctionalmedicine.health

If you are like most individuals diagnosed with kidney disease, rarely are any contributors uncovered. Today, we discuss the top 7 contributors to kidney disease. It's definitely not what you might think... and the good news, we give you a strategy to deal with each one! Ready to catch the free Masterclass running May 28-30th? Sign up at https://thrivefunctionalmedicine.health/.

The workbook for the Masterclass will be your free gift!

I look forward to seeing you there! In love and wellness,

Karin Nicole