12/17/2025
Pregnancy, postpartum recovery, sleep deprivation, and lactation place huge demands on a woman’s physiology.
We find it important to ensure that through all the transitions, that there is some due diligence to ensure a woman’s physiological resilience, which is so intertwined with emotional resilience.
Here are some of the key labs we consider👇
🩸 CBC – Assesses recovery from blood loss and screens for anemia or infection.
🧬 Comprehensive Metabolic Panel – Evaluates liver function (critical for hormone balance and neurotransmitter production) and blood sugar regulation, which strongly impacts mood and cognition.
🔥 Homocysteine – An inflammatory marker tied to methylation, cardiovascular health, tissue healing, and neurotransmitter production. Elevated levels are linked to depression and anxiety.
📈 CRP– General inflammation marker that help identify when deeper investigation is needed.
☀️ Vitamin D – Essential for immune health, bone density, inflammation control, blood sugar balance, dopamine production, and s*x hormone regulation. Low levels are common in mood disorders.
🦋 Thyroid Panel (Comprehensive) – Goes beyond standard screening to identify subtle thyroid dysfunction that can cause fatigue, depression, hair loss, brain fog, and digestive issues.
🩸 Iron Panel + Ferritin – Ferritin is the gold standard for iron status. Low iron can cause fatigue, anxiety, hair loss, shortness of breath, and easy bruising.
⚖️ Copper : Zinc Ratio – Pregnancy increases copper levels. Postpartum, excess copper must be cleared with zinc. Imbalances are strongly associated with anxiety, irritability, and depression.
🧠 Vitamin B12 – Vital for nervous system function. Even mild deficiency can cause brain fog and mood symptoms. Absorption is often impaired postpartum, especially with antacid use.
⚡ Carnitine – Supports energy production and acetylcholine (rest & digest neurotransmitter). Deficiency can cause fatigue, irritability, and anxiety, especially after pregnancy and during lactation.
