How this Functional Test Saved Me

Nine years ago when I thought I was losing my health, I went to my doctor. 

It was a time I could barely function without side shots of sugar. My energy level was in the tank. I would pass out in my 3 year old’s bed before 7 pm. I was scared. I was going to be one of those professional working moms that had to give up her career to figure out how to “DO IT ALL.” 

I thought there was something really wrong with me. I was a walking zombie, I had constant stomach aches, I had uncontrollable mood swings, I never pooped and I could barely get out of bed in the morning.

One night, I was reading a level 1 book to my son. I turned the page and started stuttering. The words stuck in my brain were unable to make it to my tongue for my 3 yr old to hear. 

What the heck was wrong with me?

I laid there confused and SCARED. 

How was an educated woman, years of high level education, unable to read a level 1 book? 

This was at the height of my over-dieting, over-exercising, over-sugared, compulsive pushing-myself-to-the-limits-with-two-babies days.

Now I know I had tanked my endocrine system and was running on fumes. Taking care of littles, working before hours, after hours, and through vacations without any down time finally got to me. 

This was before the days I allowed myself to rest, digest, eat nutrient dense food, and sleep well. 

The trip into my primary care office was no different than most. “You’re tired, your labs look fine, you just need to relax.” Once again, she couldn’t find anything wrong with me. 

But everything was wrong with me.There was no way I felt this bad if everything on my lab test was “normal.” 

So when my senses led me to my first experience with functional lab testing, I was blown away.

I was FINALLY able to understand the root cause to my body’s symptoms. After all, I wasn’t actually going crazy.

As I became a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner I learned the concept of Metabolic Chaos. This essentially dictates that when you are stressed out, the body uses physical symptoms to get your attention. For me it was extreme fatigue, brain fog, eczema, bloated belly, headaches, and mood swings. 

Why I share this is because without these tests I would have continued down the vicious cycle of ALWAYS chasing my symptoms. Always trying a new diet trend or quick fix energy bar to FIX ME. 

One of my favorite tests to discover issues that are contributing to this Metabolic Chaos is the GI Map. Without this test I would have never known the true imbalance I had in my gut microbiome which is linked to all my organs and well-being. 

GI Map

The GI Map is a functional lab test to consider when you have the following symptoms:

• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss resistance
• Distension
• Possible SIBO
• Cramps and pain
• Gastroparesis
• Acid reflux

The GI Map is a way to identify your gut’s unique blueprint and it’s easy with a home lab kit. You poop in a bag, take a sample, and send the sample via FedEx to our lab. In 2-3 weeks, you and I (FDN-P) will have your results and we will work together on formulating a personalized protocol to help you feel better! Find out more here.

Here’s a sample of a GI Map. We’re looking at the opportunistic bacteria (bad guys). As you can see 4 of the markers are HIGH, meaning the gut has a moderate amount of bad bacteria causing havoc on digestion. 

The methanobacteriaceae being present correlated with the client's decades-long constipation. The rest of the panel shows that there are not enough good bacteria to fight off the bad, opportunistic bacteria. Traditional lab work misses these more sensitive markers.

The GI Map is included in my Gutsy Weight Loss Method Group Coaching Program.

This test along with other functional labs changed my life and reduced my ongoing frustration. It was worth every penny and more. 

Are you ready to reduce your wellness frustration, drop the stubborn weight, and increase your energy? I’m opening up the waitlist for my next weight loss group coaching program. Contact me for details on how to get $200 off the initial price and check out the program details here-> GUTSY WEIGHT LOSS

Be Gutsy as a Mother,

-Mary