14 Jan Best Weight Loss Labs {By Nutritionist}
Since stubborn weight loss is a symptom of something more, it’s important to dig for the root cause using weight loss labs. Never forget that weight loss shouldn’t be your #1 priority – optimal health should be. With optimal health, weight loss will come.
So, what labs should you be looking for if stubborn weight loss is an issue for you?
Weight Loss Labs
Stool Testing
This one sounds a little “weird” because you’re probably thinking how the heck weight and a stool test play a role together. We are just at the tip of the iceberg of understanding what our microbiome does for us, but there are connections of the microbiome being a key part in metabolism.
Gut imbalances can also be the key to underlying chronic inflammation, which can throw off your weight goals. Certain imbalances, like parasites, can also be the reason you might be cravin’ that sugar and falling for it every time. Bacteria imbalances can also lead you to have an increased enzyme called, beta-glucaronidase, which can reabsorb toxins and hormones trying to leave the body. Leavin’ you with hormonal imbalances and your toxin bucket overflowing. That doesn’t sound like a body that will shed the pounds, right?!
Remember that saying “aim for optimal health + weight loss will come”?
Full Thyroid Panel
The thyroid is the main controller of our metabolism. So, if you want a healthy metabolism to support losing body fat, your thyroid levels need to be functioning beautifully. A full thyroid panel will test for TSH, Total T4 and T3, Free T4 and T3, anti-TPO, anti-TG.
You need a full panel to truly assess thyroid health. Don’t let your doctor tell you that just testing TSH is fine. You can learn more about the benefits of a full thyroid panel here!
Based on what your thyroid looks like, there are different types of thyroid support that will help you reach your weight goals!
Blood Sugar/Insulin
Insulin is the fat storage hormone in the body. Aiming for balanced blood sugars should be a big goal for you! If you have too much insulin circulating the body due to the high demand of glucose, your weight will start going up.
Imbalanced blood sugar mostly comes from diet, BUT stress can also release blood sugar into your bloodstream consistently creating that high insulin demand. You have to assess both stress and diet when it comes to blood sugar balance. Get a fasting glucose, A1C, insulin/c-peptide can be really helpful determining where your blood sugar balance is at.
Micronutrient
As you know, nutrients are the foundation to every cellular pathway in the body. What that means to you for weight loss is that when there is a nutrient deficiency there is a pathway that is not able to be finished. Different deficiencies have been linked to stubborn weight loss, such as vitamin D.
Micronutrient testing can help figure out what your deficiencies are. This test test for vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. If you want to make sure that you are taking care of your body on a very foundational cellular level, this test is for you.
Toxin/Mycotoxins
Environmental toxins in today’s world can mess with hormone production and cause hormonal imbalances. Mold from the environment or food can also affect the total toxicity burden of the body. Toxins are stored in our fat cells due to being lipophilic.
Since it is stored there, when you lose weight, toxins recirculate the body. If you’re having stubborn weight loss, it could be a protective mechanism and doesn’t feel that it safe to lose weight because the toxins would recirculate.
A great test to test for environmental toxins and mycotoxins is a urine analysis. This helps you figure out what you are exposed to and the burden that your body has with detoxification. This is an area of health that is NOT talked enough about.
DUTCH Hormones
Last, but certainly not least, hormonal imbalances can be a reason for stubborn weight loss. Be careful though because hormonal imbalances are just a symptom of something. Hormones tend to be one of the last dominoes to fall. If you are in menopause or post menopausal, this is normal to have low hormones. It’s important to chat with your doctor about bio identical hormones to help you.
If you are in the reproductive stage of life, we can help you dig for the root cause of your hormonal imbalances + help you use food and lifestyle changes to bring it back into balance.
Ready To Do Some Weight Loss Labs?
If you’re ready to get your hands on these weight loss labs, schedule a call with our team to create a game plan and get you onboarded with customized care. We are your cheerleaders in your weight loss journey + our certified nutritionists guide you through all of these things.
Let’s do this!