Ever been told your blood tests are “normal”, but you’re still exhausted, flat, foggy, struggling with weight changes, or just not feeling like yourself?

In this episode of The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie unpack the difference between normal and optimal blood test results, and why women need to look beyond a quick “everything’s fine” from the doctor.

They break down the key markers worth tracking over time, including glucose, HbA1c, ferritin, vitamin D, cholesterol, thyroid, and estrogen, especially for women in their 30s, 40s and beyond.

They also dive into a new warning linked with GLP-1 medications, including how appetite suppression can reduce diet quality and increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies if you are not actively protecting your intake.

Plus, they review a high-protein granola topper and answer a listener question on the healthiest takeaway options.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why normal blood tests are not always optimal
• The blood markers women should track over time
• Low ferritin, fatigue, brain fog and poor exercise tolerance
• Glucose, HbA1c and the early signs of insulin resistance
• Vitamin D, cholesterol, thyroid and estrogen changes to watch
• Why women in perimenopause and menopause need to pay closer attention
• The new GLP-1 nutrient deficiency concern
• Why eating less can still mean poor nutrition
• Product review: Coastal Crunch Protein Crunch
• Listener question: the healthiest takeaway choices

If you’ve ever felt dismissed by “normal” results, this episode will help you ask better questions and understand what to look at more closely.