Please be aware the RN Labs office is closed during the Easter break (Fri 29th March – Mon 1st April). Due to potential delivery delays during this time, we kindly ask that no testing samples be sent to the office starting week 25th March. Normal testing services will resume on Tuesday 2nd April.

Case Studies

Case Study: Fatigue and Fertility Issues

CLAIRE, 37

• Busy advertising manager with lots of international travel
• Married and looking to get pregnant, yet has irregular menstrual cycles and has been on the OC Pill for many years.
• Enjoys sporting events and thus trains 15 hours per week.

Issues wishing to address:

• Inability to push hard in exercise sessions but could go steady all day
• Disrupted sleep – waking at 2-4am every night
• Occasional night sweats – esp. Before period due
• Concentration and focus reduced at work
• No ‘zing’ / sex drive
• Muscle cramps and occasional abdominal cramps
• Frequently picking up colds, stomach bugs etc
• Fertility Issues

Suggested Tests for a comprehensive Insight:

Full Blood Screen + DUTCH Hormone Test + GI map Stool Test.

Tests Revealed

• Low Iron Stores (Ferritin)
• Low Vit D
• Low Magnesium
• Low Luteal Phase Progesterone
• Low DHEA
• Low Free Testosterone
• Low Cortisol Production
• Suboptimal Thyroid Function
• Adequate Oestrogens and Oestrogen Metabolites
• Slow Methylation

Results derived

 

While busy maintaining her successful career, training religiously, managing family stress; Claire neglected her own health.

She ate more processed food and drink than she realized, slept poorly, and prioritized exercise over relaxing. She spent 10 years “living on adrenaline”, fueled by caffeine, refined sugar and more alcohol than she wanted to admit.

Based on functional lab testing, we did indeed learn Claire had reduced adrenal gland function – low cortisol, and low metabolized cortisol in the context of low DHEA, and progesterone. All inter-related and a result of unsupported lifestyle in the context of a very driven and perfectionist personality. An adaptation by the body to get her to slow down. But who has time to really slow down? – most don’t until they reach rock bottom – and are then forced to claw their way back up out of a longer, darker hole.

Her gut test further revealed a Helicobacter pylori and Klebsiella infection (2 bacterial infections) common when stress has been present for some time lowering gut immunity. Conversations revealed Claire struggled to process emotional stress and felt that she had little control over her life – a sense of overwhelm – which becomes more obvious in individuals with low DHEA. The gut infections were creating yet another layer of stress – think – a system constantly battling to keep the bacteria from multiplying.

We focused on lifestyle changes and treated her gut infection and provided a plan to strengthen the gut’s resilience.

The Sex Hormone Imbalance often improves when the adrenals are better supported by nutritional, supplementary and lifestyle changes. But often in an athletic 30-40’s age group direct bio-similar hormone replacement is indicated – especially if there is pronounced sleep disturbance, irregular menstrual cycles, and mood swings.

We try to boost the body’s own hormonal balance first – but for some – more direct measures are indicated and can have a huge relatively fast impact on how they feel and function.

Claire embraced the challenge of reducing hormone disrupting and methylation reducing chemicals in her life: swapping out her personal care, household cleaning products, and plastics with natural safer alternatives. Every little bit helps.

While following her protocol, Claire committed to taking time to prepare and eat balanced, nutritious meals with lots of healthy fats.

To support Claire’s weak methylation, we increased her intake of leafy greens, beans, fruit, and whole grains to get adequate levels of vitamins B6, betaine, and folate. She included Egg yolks, meat, liver, and oily fish to support dietary sources of choline and vitamin B12.

All important to support adrenals and the nervous system.

She began to enjoy cooking whilst listening to her favorite books on audio, by getting her husband involved and always made extra to place in the freezer or to enjoy for lunch the next day. She and her husband arranged their schedules to take quality time out a few times a week to sauna, attend a local Pilates class or walk in nature.

In addition, she made a point to be in bed by 10:00 P.M. to ensure she received adequate rest and recovery. Claire made her bedroom more conducive to sleep by adapting her bedroom using the Fibr Good Sleep Guidelines.

Although making these lifestyle changes was difficult, she realized that she needed to let some chores slide and rearrange her priorities. Those decisions, followed by smart lifestyle choices day to day, along with follow-up consultations and testing, helped to renew her strength and resolve and put her back on track for a healthy life.

3 months on her personalised protocol involving an adapted exercise routine, targeted supplements, stress reduction exercises, overall toxin reduction and a diet high in good fats helped to normalise Claire’s monthly menstrual cycle and she was able to conceive after 4 months.

S QLD / N NSW Area Manager

Jessica Morland

Jess is a qualified Nutritionist with a Bachelor of Health Science in Nutritional Medicine. She believes that there is no one size fits all approach and is passionate about educating, inspiring and supporting clients and practitioners with a customised approach to healthcare. Specialties include preconception, pregnancy, post-natal and infant care. 

Jess is excited to build relationships, educate and share her knowledge with both retail and practitioners in South Queensland and Northern NSW.

Lauren Matich, BHSc (Nat.)

Lauren Matich

BHSc (Nat.)

Lauren is an NHAA accredited Clinical Naturopath with a Bachelor of Health Science. She is incredibly passionate about natural health and educating clients on the foundational importance of nutrition, lifestyle and stress management and believes complimenting these building blocks with nutraceutical support and functional testing often holds the key to optimal health and vitality. Lauren looks forward to supporting practitioners and clients in these key areas.

Specialties include supporting thyroid health, digestive disorders and mental health.