Understanding Progesterone: What This Hormone Test Really Means I once had a patient who said, “My cycles are all over the place — my doctor ran labs, and one came back as progesterone. What does that even mean?” That’s such a common question, because unlike estrogen or thyroid, progesterone doesn’t always get much attention until […]
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What Spikes Me? How to Spot Your Personal Triggers I’ll be honest—when I first started paying attention to my blood sugar, I thought it was going to be simple. Cut sugar, eat “healthy,” and things would just…balance out, right? Well, not exactly. What I quickly realized is that what spikes me doesn’t always look the
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Understanding ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies): What This Autoimmune Test Means The first time I saw “ANA” on a patient’s lab report, she looked at me and said, “So… does this mean I have lupus?” That’s a really common fear. The truth is, ANA testing can feel confusing — but when you break it down, it’s simply
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Understanding Estradiol (E2): What Your Estrogen Lab Really Means I still remember the first time a patient asked me, “My lab says estradiol… is that the same thing as estrogen?” It’s such a common question — and no wonder. Hormone labs can feel like alphabet soup. Estradiol (often written as E2) is the most
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Understanding Free T4: What This Thyroid Lab Really Means I can’t count the number of times someone’s told me, “My doctor said my thyroid is fine, but I still feel off.” That’s when I look beyond just TSH and ask about their Free T4. Because here’s the thing: you can’t fully understand your thyroid without
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Best Lab Tests for Prediabetes: Catching Blood Sugar Problems Early I’ll never forget a patient who came in saying, “But I don’t have diabetes — my doctor said my sugar is just a little high.” That “little high” turned out to be prediabetes, and it was the wake-up call she needed. The good news? With
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Understanding the C-Peptide Test: Why It Matters for Blood Sugar & Insulin Health The first time I ordered a C-peptide test for a patient, I joked that it sounded like something from a sci-fi movie. But this little marker is pure real-world detective work. C-peptide levels reveal how much insulin your pancreas is producing, insight
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Vitamin B12 Blood Test: Why This Tiny Vitamin Packs a Big Punch I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “I’m just tired because life is busy.” Sure, life is busy—but when someone drags through the day, forgets simple things, or feels pins-and-needles in their hands, my nurse brain goes straight to vitamin B12.
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Understanding Your ESR: What the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Really Tells You I like to call the ESR test the “silent scout” of inflammation. It doesn’t diagnose one single disease, but it quietly reveals when your body’s immune system is on alert. What the ESR Test Measures Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measures how quickly red blood
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DHEA-S: The Lab Test That Illuminates Adrenal and Hormone Health When women tell me they feel “wired but tired,” can’t shed weight, or keep riding an emotional rollercoaster, my nurse brain immediately wonders about their adrenal glands. One of the most overlooked markers for adrenal function is DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate). Checking this single lab can
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