Connecting the Dots After My Functional Medicine Test Results
Virtual Follow-Up Appointment: Reviewing My Test Results
My virtual follow-up appointment was an hour long, and once again, I didn’t feel rushed. The visit was extremely informative. Jazmin started by reviewing my blood work, thyroid imaging, and SIBO breath test results, and we also talked through how I’ve been feeling so far.
Thyroid Test Results
The thyroid imaging results were interpreted as I mentioned in an earlier post: nodules and hypervascularity are present.
I’m currently taking Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) nightly and was advised to continue doing so. I should also have my thyroid tested once a year to monitor for any changes. I was originally prescribed LDN for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis a few years ago, and I plan to share more about that experience in a future post.
If you’re curious about Low-Dose Naltrexone, the LDN Research Trust is a great resource and is linked on my Resources page.
Blood Test Results
For the most part, my blood work showed that I’m low in several vitamins and minerals. Specifically, my protein, cortisol, hormones, ferritin, omega-3s, and vitamins B1, B12, and D were all low.
Jazmin shared food-based suggestions to help improve my ferritin, cortisol, and omega-3 levels. If your practitioner ever identifies low vitamin or mineral levels, it can be helpful to explore ways to support them through diet before or alongside supplementation.
Here’s what she suggested for me:
Ferritin
Cook with a cast-iron pan
Consume vitamin C with meat
Pair spinach with lemon juice to help with absorption
Omega-3s (to help balance inflammation)
Salmon
Olive oil
Chia seeds
Flax seeds
Walnuts
In addition to dietary changes, supplementation can be a helpful way to ensure you’re meeting your needs. In my case, I’ll be ordering the following supplements through Fullscript:
Vitamin D (with K for better absorption)
Vitamin B
Omega-3s
After taking these consistently, I’m hopeful I’ll start to notice improvements in how I feel. I’ll share updates as I go.
SIBO Breath Test Results
As I mentioned in my previous post, my SIBO breath test came back methane-dominant. This type of SIBO is more commonly associated with gas, bloating, and constipation, and my practitioner explained that it often requires longer and more aggressive treatment.
Because my primary symptoms are centered around my stomach, most of our discussion focused on addressing the SIBO.
I’d like to dedicate an entire post to the treatment protocol I’ll be following to try to heal my gut. In my next post, I’ll share more about the steps I’m taking to support my stomach and digestion.
Have you ever received test results that showed nutrient deficiencies? If so, did you notice a difference after making dietary or supplement changes?