I Tried Everything and Still Felt Like Crap—Until I Got My Labs Done

Hitting the Wall

I had done everything “right.”

Clean eating? Check. I was meal-prepping kale salads and green smoothies like a wellness influencer.

Exercise? Check. Five days a week, whether it was spin class, weight training, or yoga.

Sleep? I had a bedtime routine down to a science—blue light blockers, magnesium tea, white noise.

Therapy? Been there. Still going.

And yet, I still felt like crap. I woke up exhausted. My mood swung like a pendulum. I couldn’t concentrate. My libido had packed its bags and disappeared. And despite my best efforts, I kept gaining weight.

Worse, every time I went to the doctor, they told me I was “fine.” My labs were “normal.”

If you’re nodding your head right now, this story is for you. Because the truth is, I didn’t start healing until I got the right labs—comprehensive, functional labs that finally explained what was going on inside my body.

What “Normal” Labs Don’t Show

When I say I had my labs done, I don’t mean the basic blood work you get during an annual physical.

Conventional labs are designed to detect disease—not imbalance. They tell you if you’re within a broad range of what’s statistically normal, but not if you’re operating optimally.

Here’s what they often miss:

1. Thyroid Function Beyond TSH

• Most conventional tests check only TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone).
• But you need a full panel: Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies.
• I had “normal” TSH—but almost no active T3, the hormone that actually fuels metabolism.

2. Hormone Imbalances

• My estrogen was sky-high while progesterone was barely detectable: classic estrogen dominance.
• Low testosterone and DHEA left me foggy, unmotivated, and tired.

3. Adrenal Function

• A four-point cortisol test showed my levels were spiking at night and crashing during the day.
• No wonder I couldn’t sleep—and still felt wired and tired.

4. Inflammation and Nutrient Deficiencies

• My vitamin D and B12 were borderline low, despite supplementing.
• High-sensitivity CRP (an inflammation marker) was elevated.
• I was depleted in magnesium and zinc, crucial for energy, focus, and immune health.

5. Gut Health

• A stool test revealed gut dysbiosis: low beneficial bacteria and signs of leaky gut.
• This explained my bloat, inconsistent digestion, and brain fog.

Why Functional Labs Matter

Functional medicine labs don’t just look for disease—they look for dysfunction. They ask: Is your body thriving? Or just surviving?

Sources:

• Mayo Clinic
• Cleveland Clinic
• Institute for Functional Medicine

The Surprising Truth in My Labs

Getting my comprehensive labs felt like reading a biography of my body—and finally understanding the plot.

Estrogen Dominance

• Despite being in perimenopause, my estrogen levels were still high—but my progesterone was practically gone.
• This imbalance cause anxiety, bloating, breast tenderness, and irregular periods.

Adrenal Dysfunction

• My cortisol pattern was completely upside down.
• It explained why I felt tired at 8 a.m., jittery by noon, and wide awake at 3 a.m.

Thyroid Sub-Optimization

• My Free T3 (the active thyroid hormone) was barely in range.
• Reverse T3 (which blocks T3) was elevated, indicating my body was in conservation mode.

Nutrient Depletion

• Despite taking supplements, I had low levels of B12, D, and magnesium—critical for mood, energy, and focus.

Insulin Resistance

• My fasting insulin was high, even though my glucose was “normal.”
• I was gaining weight because my cells were resisting the very hormone meant to process fuel.

This wasn’t just a diagnosis—it was a revelation. It was my body’s cry for help, finally translated.

What I Did Next—And How I Finally Felt Better

I didn’t go on another crash diet.

I didn’t start a new bootcamp.

Instead, I worked with a functional medicine provider to create a customized protocol based on my labs. Here’s what changed:

Hormone Support

• I started bioidentical progesterone to calm my nervous system and balance estrogen.
• Added testosterone and DHEA to support focus, energy, and muscle tone.

Thyroid Optimization

• Began a combination thyroid medication that included T3.
• Within weeks, my mental fog started to lift and my metabolism kicked back in.

Adrenal Recovery

• Used adaptogens (like ashwagandha and rhodiola) to balance cortisol.
• Practiced meditation, gentle movement, and said no more often.

Nutrient Repletion

• High-dose vitamin D3 + K2, sublingual B12, and magnesium glycinate.
• Focused on nutrient-dense foods and gut-friendly meals.

Lifestyle Shifts

• Prioritized sleep hygiene: no screens after 9 p.m., blackout curtains, wind-down rituals.
• Created a realistic fitness plan: strength training 3x/week and daily walking.
• Embraced joy and creativity again—without guilt.

Within three months, I felt like myself again. Not superwoman. Not perfect. But whole.

Why Everyone Deserves Personalized Testing

I used to believe that feeling exhausted, anxious, and inflamed was just part of aging.

It’s not.

You deserve more than “normal” labs and “you’re fine.” You deserve to know what your body is truly trying to tell you.

The Power of Testing

• Takes out the guesswork
• Shows root causes—not just symptoms
• Allows for targeted healing

The Silk Life Approach

At Silk Life, we don’t treat labs—we treat people. We use comprehensive diagnostics to create real, lasting results.

Because healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. And you shouldn’t have to suffer in silence.

Conclusion 

I know what it’s like to try everything and still feel broken.

But I also know that healing is possible—when you finally get the right data.

You don’t have to accept brain fog, weight gain, low libido, or fatigue as your new normal. There’s a reason you feel the way you do. And there’s a way out.

Stop guessing. Start healing. Book a discovery call to review your symptoms and labs with our experts.

References

Mayo Clinic. (2022). Functional lab testing in women’s health. https://www.mayoclinic.org

Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Hormone and thyroid health. https://my.clevelandclinic.org

Institute for Functional Medicine. (2022). The role of comprehensive testing. https://www.ifm.org

North American Menopause Society. (2022). Bioidentical hormones and symptom relief.

PubMed. (2021). Reverse T3 and thyroid function in subclinical hypothyroidism.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. (2022). Cortisol patterns and adrenal dysfunction.

Healthline. (2023). Nutrient deficiencies and mood disorders. https://www.healthline.com

WebMD. (2022). Insulin resistance and metabolic health. https://www.webmd.com