Did You Grow Up With Hilary Duff, Avril Lavigne, and Taylor Swift? It Might Be Time to Enter Your “Adulting” Lab Era (A Mini Mid-30s Wellness Checklist)
It might feel like 2006 was So Yesterday, but in fact, it was a whole 20 years ago. I see a lot of folks in my practice who have arrived in their mid-30s and realized they don’t feel as spry as they used to. They often wonder where to begin figuring out what to change and how to do it.
The mid-30s is often the point at which the habits you’ve accumulated throughout your teens and 20s start to show their effects. As you’ve finished college, started building your career, and maybe even begun a family, you’ve worked incredibly hard. You’ve spent countless hours staying up late, fueling with Diet Coke, or in some cases, not fueling it at all. You’ve likely shoved meditation and mindfulness to the side in favor of a few more emails.
While these habits may have been beneficial for your career, they often come with wear and tear on the brain, body, and nervous system. The body is adaptable, so it can handle this external stress for a period of time, but after a while, it starts showing symptoms and asking for help! The good news, though, is that the body is incredibly resilient, and any changes you make now will likely benefit your health for decades to come.
Some Common Changes That Show Up Include:
Subtle metabolic changes: You just can’t seem to maintain your same weight.
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep: You feel like you’ve returned to your childhood self, counting sheep to try to get some sleep.
New hormonal changes: Did your period suddenly get wonky, or have you developed new adult acne on your chin and jawline? Hormonal changes may be to blame.
Lacking energy: You’re dragging at 3 PM and staring at the ceiling at 3 AM.
Anxiety or a generalized blah feeling: You don’t feel terrible, but you also don’t feel great, just kinda meh.
All of these symptoms are incredibly common. However, just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s normal or something worth just “pushing through.” All of these symptoms deserve a comprehensive workup.
And as a licensed naturopathic doctor, that’s exactly what I do: starting with a complete history of symptoms, followed by a comprehensive lab workup. Labs aren’t meant to be interpreted in isolation, but rather in combination with your symptoms, lived experience, and family history. Subtle changes, or even just a sense that you don't feel “right,” are just as valuable as lab results, as they allow us to make adjustments, support the body over the long term, and prevent small issues from becoming larger problems down the road.
Below you’ll find a list of labs I typically order as a baseline. This is not medical advice; please consult your medical provider for the best labs for you. Don’t have a doctor? I’m accepting new Arizona patients! Schedule a free consult here!
The Basics (because it doesn’t have to be so Complicated)
CBC: This checks your blood for anemia and infection.
CMP: This looks at your blood sugar, kidneys, and liver.
Iron panel + ferritin: This indicates your iron status and whether you’re deficient.
Vitamin B12 + folate: Low B12 might be present if you are often tired.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is important for immune health, mood, and bone health.
Thyroid (while you may not want to emotionally go back to “feeling 22”, you might wish you had energy as you did in your 20s…)
TSH: Many doctors will only run a TSH. That is not a complete thyroid panel.
FT3
FT4
TPO: If you’re hypothyroid, TPO antibodies can tell us whether you have Hashimoto’s disease.
Thyroglobulin Antibodies: High levels of thyroglobulin antibodies can indicate a deeper thyroid issue, such as Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease.
Metabolism (Want to wake up in “London, Paris, or maybe Tokyo?” Your metabolic health should be as strong as your travel plans!)
HbA1C: This is the average of your glucose over the past 3 months. If it’s high, diabetes is more likely.
Fasting Insulin: A high insulin level can indicate how hard your body is working to handle sugar intake.
Lipids: Otherwise known as a cholesterol panel, it's important to know whether your HDL (good cholesterol) is low, and your LDL (bad cholesterol) is high.
CRP: This is a generalized marker of inflammation in the body.
Eyes & Teeth (Is there anything more satisfying than that Clean teeth feeling post-dentist?)
Ophthalmologist Visit: Even if you’ve got 20/20 vision, a visit to the ophthalmologist might still be a good idea.
Dentist: Many health problems start in the mouth. Regular dental visits are vital for good overall health.
Mental health (because you deserve a life that feels like What Dreams are Made of.)
Simple screening with your PCP or therapist: A PCP or therapist can screen for anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health!
A goals/dreams/support system life check-in with a therapist or life coach: Even if your mental health is good, a check-in with a trusted therapist or life coach can help you stay on track or get more focused on your goals and dreams. Building a robust community can help make life feel more supportive!
Look, I get it. None of the preventative wellness checks make us feel as Fearless as early aught popstars, but taking care of your health never goes out of Style. Taking care of your health isn’t about going backwards or beating yourself up for the places you didn’t take care of yourself. Rather, looking forward, taking action, and building a future that feels stable, energized, and hopeful!
☀️Now accepting new Arizona patients! Schedule a free intro call here!
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This post is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please speak to your physician before implementing any changes related to your health.
