By Jennifer Whitmire MS, MEd, MH, CHES, NEP
In 2007, I embarked on a journey that would forever change my perspective on health and well-being. It all started with a seemingly ordinary annual physical, but little did I know that this visit would unravel a series of events that would lead me to the world of functional medicine and a whole new world of functional labs and natural healing.
At the time, my main motivation was to get my husband to quit his daily McDonald’s routine. He had become a regular at the drive-thru, where the employees knew his name and order by heart. Concerned for his well-being, I hatched a plan to trick him into wellness by scheduling both of us for our yearly physicals. I just knew that the doctor would tell him he needed to change his diet.
To my surprise, my own physical revealed a deeper issue, although I had felt perfectly fine up until that point. The doctor referred me to a specialist, hinting at a potential thyroid problem. The uncertainty and fear gripped me as I sought answers. How could I be sick? I’m an expert in health. I do “ALL THE HEALTH THINGS.”
While scared and searching for answers, I reflected on my own journey of self-discovery. After graduating with an accounting degree in the mid-90s, I found myself at a crossroads, unsure of my true passion. Encouraged by my grandmother, I embarked on a soul-searching mission, which led me to realize that my passions lay in the realms of food, fitness, and understanding the mysteries of human health.
Driven by my curiosity and passion, I pursued a master’s degree in health science, delving into the fascinating fields of epidemiology and nutrition. It was during these studies that I learned the intrinsic complexities of medicine and the inherent variability of individual responses to different interventions. I learned how to read studies and how to manipulate studies and that there are so many variables in a study that you cannot trust it or use that information alone to make any decisions.
Armed with this knowledge, I went to culinary arts school to learn how to put my nutrition knowledge into practice. However, I still yearned to find a way to utilize this knowledge to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. It was during this phase that I was offered a position as a math teacher.
Returning to the story of my husband’s unhealthy eating habits, I was determined to find a solution. Desperate to break the cycle, my hope was that the doctor would emphasize the need for dietary changes, exercise, and weight loss.
But fate had other plans in store. The doctor dismissed my husband’s concerns, attributing his high blood pressure to “white coat syndrome,” and telling him that he was “the picture of health.”
My quest for MY specialized care with my new health scare hit a roadblock when my insurance denied coverage for the recommended specialist. Frustrated and worried, I found another reputable doctor who confirmed that I had an autoimmune disorder. The diagnosis sent shockwaves through my mind as I grappled with the uncertainty of what this meant for my health and future.
Refusing to accept what the doctor told me, I made a choice to explore alternatives beyond surgery or radiation. This pivotal moment ignited a deep desire within me to understand the intricacies of lifestyle medicine.
Today, as a health educator with a profound passion for empowering individuals, I specialize in interpreting functional labs as part of a comprehensive plan to restore health, rebalance hormones, and guide clients towards optimal well-being. My expertise lies in decoding the valuable insights provided by labs and looking at trends and combining them with symptoms. The notion of personalized health and the importance of understanding the unique needs of each individual resonates deeply within me.
Functional lab markers allow us to delve beyond traditional diagnostic approaches, unleashing the power of personalized medicine. These markers provide a window into the inner workings of the body, offering a more nuanced understanding of an individual’s unique biochemistry and physiological processes.
Rather than relying solely on “normal” ranges, which can be broad and may not reflect optimal health, functional lab markers take into account optimal ranges that signify true well-being. They help identify subtle imbalances and early warning signs that might be missed by conventional lab tests.
For instance, Hemoglobin A1C, triglycerides, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin levels can provide valuable insights into insulin resistance, a condition linked to various health risks such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. Monitoring these markers and working towards improving them through lifestyle changes can mitigate these risks and promote long-term health.
Understanding and tracking functional lab markers on a regular basis allows us to take control of our health journey. It empowers us to make informed decisions about our lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, and stress management, as we can see how these choices directly impact our lab results.
However, it’s important to remember that functional lab markers should not be interpreted in isolation.They should be considered alongside a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s health history, symptoms, and physical examination. Work with someone who can use the information from functional lab markers into a personalized health plan that addresses your unique needs and goals.
Functional lab markers offer a powerful tool for unlocking optimal health and well-being. By harnessing the insights they provide, we can make proactive choices, optimize our lifestyle, and strive towards our own version of optimal health.
Welcome to our world of functional healthcare, where you can be empowered to take control of your health and well-being. As health educators with a passion for personalized medicine, Jennifer Swank and I have made it our mission to guide you on a transformative journey towards restoring health, rebalancing hormones, and achieving optimal well-being.
Let’s travel back in time to the year 1852 when German physiologist Karl Vierordt established the first method for conducting a blood count. This marked the beginning of modern blood chemistry analysis, which has evolved significantly since then. Today, we have advanced diagnostic tools that allow us to glean a wealth of information from a simple blood test.
Traditional medical practices often focus on diagnosing specific diseases and deploying treatment plans tailored to those conditions. However, our approach is different. We embrace a holistic perspective, prioritizing you as an individual and addressing your unique concerns. By adopting a comprehensive approach to health and leveraging the insights from functional lab markers, we can uncover potential dysfunctions before they escalate into full-blown diseases.
Functional lab markers enable us to track a wide range of biomarkers in your blood, providing a nuanced understanding of your health status. Instead of relying solely on broad reference ranges, we use functional ranges that are empirically correlated with optimal health outcomes. These tighter ranges allow us to assess your true well-being and guide you towards reaching your highest potential.
As health educators, our role is to interpret these functional lab markers and help you make informed decisions about your health. We work collaboratively to design a comprehensive plan that includes targeted interventions, such as personalized lifestyle modifications, and we educate you about nutrients and potential supplementation, tailored to your unique needs.
Through regular monitoring of your functional lab markers, we can track your progress and make adjustments to your plan as necessary. This approach empowers you to take an active role in your health journey, providing you with valuable insights into the impact of your lifestyle choices and interventions.
We are dedicated to sharing our knowledge and expertise in functional lab analysis to support you in your quest for optimal health and well-being. We invite you to join us for our upcoming Masterclass: Empowered Living: Creating Your Personalized Health Blueprint with Functional Blood Work. These opportunities will provide you with further insights into the world of functional lab markers and how they can serve as valuable tools in your health restoration journey.
Participating in class is free, but we kindly request that you register in advance to secure your spot. We welcome science-minded individuals like you who are eager to learn, grow, and take control of their health.
Discover the transformative potential of functional lab markers and embark on a path towards restoring health, rebalancing hormones, and achieving optimal well-being. Register now and join us in unraveling the mysteries of functional lab analysis.
Wholistic Jen 
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