Bloodwork is your best friend
Have you ever gotten a full blood panel done? Why should you get your blood work done? Isn’t there more important things to spend money on?
If you are like me, I had my pediatrician until adulthood and then I never really got around to finding a Primary Care Physician (PCP). Why should I find a doctor when I was doing my prenatal and postnatal check ups with my OB/midwives? They checked my blood for some things, my babies were healthy so that means I was in the clear? Postpartum depression and anxiety is so common it’s normal right? (WRONG)
Honestly, I didn’t have time to even think about finding my own doctor or even my own health. I was caring for my babies and taking them to their check ups etc. it wasn’t on my radar. I honestly was so tired and everything was so new as a young mom, that I really just kept going and thought it was always going to be this way.
Priorities seem to be about the kids and I kind of (did) lost the view that my health was actually a huge priority. It was important because to really care well for all that I have been given I needed to be thriving.
It wasn’t until a major health crisis about 2 years ago that sent me on a frantic search for a holistic/functional doctor. And, by God’s grace, I was able to find a Functional MD who figured out the root cause of my health crisis (high stress levels, imbalanced hormones, deficiencies, and the beloved (added for sarcasm) MTHFR gene snips).
I was beyond grateful for bloodwork because it answered questions I had always had, and gave insight to what was going on. It became to me, like a roadmap for how to fix the issues…because we figured out what the issues actually were! Bloodwork is amazing and I am so incredibly thankful for it (so is my husband and my kiddos because I am a completely different and far better human after healing what was in much need of repair). Shout out to my husband, he really is amazing, loved me on my best days and my worst. And the Lord loves us on our best days and our worst I’m so Blessed by Cain is a fun song that drives this point home.
However, not everyone has access to a functional doctor or a PCP who would run extensive labs and know how to read them.
Functional Medicine- seeking to find the root cause of health issues and addresses the body as a whole rather than separate systems; also seeks to prevent diseases from developing; preventative health care
Exploratory (Functional) Blood Panel- consists of a collection of lab tests that show how different systems of the body are working, able to figure out imbalances, areas of concern, systems of the body that are inflamed or need some TLC, or what is working optimally
I just had my lab review with Dr. Jae Hitson today and I got a wonderful report! Which hasn’t always been the case. Its been a process of taking messy, very bad labs, and seeing them change and become beautiful. It is really a testimony or visible proof to me of what God has done in healing my body and mind. He is so kind.
And lets think about how much Jesus loves blood. He created it. But also, His blood is what saves us, redeems us, sets us free from sin and shame, AND offers us hope and life eternal. It makes me smile to think of that connection because his blood covers us and makes us new.
I am truly a new person and my blood shows it! And hopefully, my personal testimony of how important bloodwork can be will spur you on towards considering having a panel done…before a crisis happens (like in my case) and it can be used as a fine tune up for your body. When we figure out our cars brakes have an issue…I know its expenisve…but we aren’t gonna just let our brakes fail, we replace the brakes and then the car now works properly and passes inspection.
Lets seek prevent health issues and be able to live and mom well! As you have seen, I have linked the Exploratory Blood Panel times (intentionally) so you won’t miss it. Check out the site, you will learn how you can order your 0wn exploratory panel, and Dr. Jae will review it with you and share with you ways that you can get your numbers to better place.
I encourage my health coaching clients to get their blood panels done. We can work through some lifestyle changes together…because that part can be hard. I know firsthand, which is why I became a health coach!
—Blessings, Chels
