By now you’ve learned that your fertility isn’t about “normal” labs — it’s about optimal function.

But what happens when you know something’s off…
and your provider won’t order the labs you need?

This week, we’re giving you the tools to speak up, ask better questions, and take charge of your care — without burning bridges or feeling like “that patient.”

Step 1: Know What to Ask For

Here’s a simple list of labs we find most helpful in uncovering root causes of hormone + fertility issues:

• Thyroid Panel: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, TPO antibodies, TG antibodies
• Sex Hormones: Estradiol, Progesterone (7 days post-ovulation), FSH (CD 2), LH (CD 2), AMH (CD2)
• Nutrients: Ferritin, Iron Panel (serum iron, TIBC, % saturation), Vitamins A and D
• Metabolic Health: Fasting insulin, glucose, HbA1c, lipid panel
• Inflammation & Detox: CRP, homocysteine, ALT/AST, GGT, bilirubin
• Bonus: HTMA or GI-MAP can fill in the mineral and gut gaps you can’t always get from bloodwork. This is what we offer inside our Nurture Your Fertility program.

Step 2: How to Ask Your Doctor (Without Getting Shut Down)

If you’re nervous to speak up, try this:

“I’ve been doing research and working with a fertility nutrition team, and I’d really like to get a more complete picture of my hormones. Would you be open to running these labs so we can rule out anything that might be interfering with conception?”

If they resist:

• Ask if they’re willing to run some of the labs now and revisit others later
• Clarify whether their decision is based on clinical judgment or insurance limitations
• Consider finding a provider who takes a more root-cause or functional approach

It’s okay to advocate for your body. You’re not being “extra” — you’re being informed.

Step 3: What to Do If You Can’t Get the Labs

Don’t panic — you have options.

✔️ Some labs are available through direct-to-consumer platforms (Request A Test is a great one).
✔️ Functional tests like HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) and GI-MAP stool testing can uncover root causes like mineral depletion, stress patterns, gut infections, and inflammation that bloodwork often misses
✔️ You can access both of these tests — along with a full year of support from our team — inside our Nurture Your Fertility program. We can also help you understand your blood work.

Even if you don’t have perfect lab access through your doctor, you can still take powerful, root-cause steps toward healing.

We teach you how to understand your data, connect it to your symptoms, and move forward with clarity and confidence.

We hope you enjoyed this newsletter and continue to follow along each week. Have an amazing weekend!

You Deserve More Than “Everything Looks Fine”

When you’re working on your fertility, the goal isn’t just “rule out disease.”
It’s: What’s interfering with my body’s ability to conceive and carry?

That’s what functional testing helps us answer.
And that’s why we’re so passionate about helping women learn to interpret, not just test.

We hope this Fertile Fridays series gave you clarity, confidence, and maybe even a little fire to take the next step.

You are not broken. You are not behind.
You just need the right lens — and the right support.

Here are a few other resources on lab testing for fertility that you may find helpful!

• How To Prioritize Testing For Fertility Struggles
• The 5 Most Misunderstood Labs for Fertility
  
  

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