This week, I procrastinated a little (okay, maybe a lot) by working on a 1,000-piece puzzle. As I was putting it together, I couldn’t help but think about how similar it is to our health. At first, it can feel overwhelming—just a pile of scattered pieces with no clear direction. But if we keep working at it, the pieces do fit together.

And just like my husband had to help me finish the puzzle, sometimes we need different perspectives to complete the picture faster. Female health, in particular, is much more complex than male health.

If we’re being generous, men are like a 100-piece puzzle (and I mean that in the kindest way possible), while women are more like a 1,000-piece one. And as we get older, it can even feel like the picture on the box is changing!

The good news? It is possible to figure it out. When I work with Naturopathic patients or my Faster Way clients who feel stuck, blood work can be a powerful tool to speed up the process and bring clarity. Here are some of the most common tests I recommend:

  • Vitamin B12 & Vitamin D – Essential for energy, metabolism, and immune function.

  • Insulin Resistance Markers – Looking at fasting glucose and fasting insulin allow me to calculate your insulin resistance ratio. Insulin resistance commonly increases as a result of the hormonal changes that start in your 40’s, and can lead to weight gain and increased inflammation

  • Thyroid Panel – Includes TSH, T3, T4, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies to ensure your thyroid is functioning optimally.

  • Inflammatory Markers (ESR & CRP) – To check for underlying inflammation

  • CBC (Complete Blood Count) – Evaluates red and white blood cells and proteins like hemoglobin (made from iron).

I can order these tests for my patients through LifeLabs or Gamma-Dynacare. Having this information can make all the difference in understanding your health puzzle.

Ready to have your health looked at through a different lens?  You can get more information on my approach HERE.

Dr. Jennifer Haessler, ND