Functional Nutrition Lab Tests

You’re exhausted, bloated, moody—and no one can tell you why. Your doctor runs standard lab tests, looks at the results, and says, “Everything looks fine.” But you know something isn’t right.

Sound familiar?

If you’re tired of feeling unheard, frustrated, and dismissed, you’re not alone. Many women struggling with fatigue, stubborn weight, bloating, and brain fog are told their lab work is “normal.” The problem? Standard blood tests don’t tell the whole story.

That’s where functional lab testing comes in—because you deserve better answers.

Are You a Member of the “Walking Wounded” Club?

🚨 You wake up exhausted, even after 8+ hours of sleep.
🚨 You’ve tried everything to lose weight, but nothing works.
🚨 Your digestion is unpredictable—bloating, constipation, discomfort.
🚨 Your mood swings make you feel like a different person.
🚨 You can’t focus, and brain fog is your new normal.

Yet every time you ask for answers, you hear the same response: “Your labs are fine.”

But you don’t feel fine. And you’re not crazy. Your body is telling you something. It’s time to stop dismissing your symptoms and start uncovering the root cause.

Why Standard Labs Keep Failing You

Traditional healthcare is built to diagnose diseases—not detect imbalances before they turn into bigger issues. That means you could be on the verge of thyroid dysfunction, hormone imbalances, or metabolic burnout, but if your numbers are still within the wide “normal” range, doctors won’t flag it.

Here’s the problem:

Standard lab ranges are based on the average population—which includes people who are already sick.
You can be “in range” but still feel awful. Traditional medicine only flags extremes, not early dysfunction.
If you’re told your labs are normal, but you feel miserable, you need a deeper look.

What’s the Difference? “Normal” vs. “Optimal” Lab Ranges

Let’s take thyroid health as an example. If you’re constantly exhausted, gaining weight, and feeling foggy, your thyroid might be struggling—even if your labs look “fine.”

💡 TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

  • Standard lab range: 0.5 – 4.5 mIU/L (considered “normal”)
  • Functional optimal range: 0.5 – 2.5 mIU/L (where most people feel their best)

💡 Vitamin D Levels

  • Standard lab range: 20+ ng/mL (bare minimum)
  • Functional optimal range: 50 – 80 ng/mL (supports energy, mood & immune function)

💡 Ferritin (Iron Storage)

  • Standard lab range: 10 – 120 ng/mL (huge range!)
  • Functional optimal range: 50 – 90 ng/mL (where fatigue improves and hair loss stops)

Your lab results may technically be “normal,” but normal doesn’t mean optimal. And it definitely doesn’t mean you’re thriving.

How Functional Lab Testing Finds What Others Miss

At Chews Food Wisely, we go beyond conventional lab work to uncover the real reason you’re feeling off. Instead of just checking boxes, we take a deep dive into your hormones, metabolism, gut health, and micronutrient levels to identify hidden imbalances.

Our Functional Approach: What Sets Us Apart?

Comprehensive Testing – We analyze a full panel of markers, not just the basics.
Optimal Ranges – Your results are interpreted using research-backed functional ranges, not outdated population averages.
Root-Cause Approach – Instead of just treating symptoms, we find and fix the underlying imbalances.

Here’s what we commonly test for:

🔬 Thyroid Function – TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, thyroid antibodies
🔬 Hormone Balance – Cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone
🔬 Nutrient Deficiencies – Iron, vitamin D, B12, magnesium, zinc, selenium, potassium, and more
🔬 Inflammation Markers – CRP, homocysteine
🔬 Gut Health & Metabolism – Blood sugar markers, stool testing, microbiome balance

If your energy is tanked, your mood is unpredictable, and your metabolism feels broken, functional lab testing can reveal why.

Why Guess When You Can Test?

Many women try every diet, supplement, and lifestyle change under the sun, hoping something will finally work. But if you don’t know what’s truly driving your symptoms, it’s like throwing darts in the dark.

🚫 Tired of guessing?
🚫 Frustrated with one-size-fits-all advice?
🚫 Sick of being told everything is “fine” when you feel anything but?

You deserve better answers.

The Next Step: Uncover What’s Really Going On

Imagine waking up refreshed and energized instead of hitting snooze five times.
Imagine eating food without feeling bloated or uncomfortable afterward.
Imagine finally losing weight, feeling strong, and thinking clearly again.

This isn’t wishful thinking—it’s possible when you have the right data to support your body’s needs.

That’s exactly what we do at Chews Food Wisely. We help you go beyond “normal” lab results to uncover the hidden imbalances that could be holding you back.

🎯 Apply to work with us today. Let’s finally get to the bottom of your symptoms—so you can start feeling like you again. 💛

  • Gut Microbiome: Detect dysbiosis, leaky gut, and markers of inflammation, all of which influence digestion, immunity, and mental health.
  • Nutritional Status: Assess levels of critical vitamins and minerals, like magnesium, zinc, and B12, which are essential for energy production and neurotransmitter function.
  • Inflammatory Markers: Measure CRP (C-reactive protein), homocysteine, and anti-inflammatory micronutrients to identify the “why” behind inflammation.

2. Backed by Scientific Precision

We work with CLIA-certified labs that use advanced methods, including mass spectrometry and DNA sequencing, to deliver accurate, actionable insights. This ensures that your results are not only comprehensive but also validated by the latest scientific standards.

3. Personalized, Data-Driven Insights

Your health isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how those numbers interact with your unique biochemical make up, lifestyle, and symptoms. Our team combines cutting-edge lab data with a deep dive into your health history, crafting a strategy tailored specifically for you.

4. Addressing Root Causes, Not Just Symptoms

Unlike conventional approaches that focus on symptom suppression, functional lab testing helps pinpoint and correct the underlying biochemical imbalances—whether it’s a sluggish thyroid, nutrient deficiency, or gut dysbiosis—so you can feel your best.

The Science Behind Functional Lab Testing

Functional testing isn’t just about more data; it’s about better data:

  • Hormonal Testing: Using advanced saliva and urine tests like the DUTCH test, we map cortisol rhythms and hormone metabolites to uncover stress-related imbalances.
  • Gut Health Panels: Stool testing evaluates levels of beneficial bacteria, pathogens, and inflammatory markers, offering insights into pesky symptoms like bloating, gas, constipation, food sensitivities, burping, reflux, and even skin issues!
  • Nutritional Testing: Specialty blood and hair testing provide precise measurements of intra-and extra-cellular micro-nutrient levels, revealing deficiencies and imbalances that standard tests often overlook.
  • Advanced Blood Panels: These go beyond standard CBC and metabolic panels to include markers like ferritin, reverse T3, and fasting insulin for a clearer picture of metabolic health.

Empower Yourself with Knowledge

When you understand your body’s unique biochemistry, you can make science-backed choices that drive real, lasting change. Whether you’re looking to resolve chronic symptoms, optimize your energy, or prevent future health issues, our functional lab testing equips you with the tools to take control of your health.

Ready to start your journey? Apply to work with our team of expert functional dietitians and unlock a new level of health and vitality. Together, we’ll turn your symptoms into solutions and get you back to feeling like you again.

Hey There, I'm Nicole!

Nicole Fennell is a functional nutrition Dietitian—and a fellow Hashimoto’s patient—who understands firsthand the challenges of living with thyroid hormone imbalances and immune system dysfunction. Her approach to managing chronic disease and stubborn symptoms focuses on building the body up with enjoyable and realistic nourishment rather than breaking it down with restrictive, unrealistic, short-term diets.

With a real-food philosophy, Nicole emphasizes the power of nutrition, movement, and peace of mind in both disease prevention and long-term health. Outside of her work, she loves staying active with her husband and three kids, lifting weights, practicing yoga, walking, cooking, enjoying good food, and spending time outdoors.
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Whether you’re dealing with exhaustion that never ends, a Hashimoto's diagnosis, thyroid issues, hormone imbalances, painful PMS, or stubborn acne that just won’t quit—please know you’re not alone. At Chews Food Wisely, we’re all about connecting the dots between your never ending list of symptoms and personalized nutrition solutions that last.

Ready to Start feeling your best?

Reach out today to book a call and let’s map out your health journey together.

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hello@chewsfoodwisely.com

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