Lori Wendell APRN - Optimize Your Health

04/01/2026

What’s your ferritin level? 🩸

Not your hemoglobin… not your iron panel… your ferritin — your iron storage.

Because here’s what we see way too often:

Women told “your labs are normal”…
…but they’re exhausted, foggy, losing hair, short of breath, and barely getting through the day.

👉 Especially women still cycling
👉 Especially those with heavier periods
👉 Especially in perimenopause when bleeding patterns change

You can be “normal” and still be depleted.

Ferritin is often overlooked, and many providers don’t flag it until it’s severely low.
But optimal is NOT the same as barely in range.

Low or suboptimal ferritin can look like:

• Chronic fatigue
• Brain fog
• Hair shedding
• Poor workout recovery
• Increased anxiety or irritability
• Feeling “burned out” all the time

If this sounds like you, it’s worth asking:

➡️ “What is my ferritin level?”
➡️ “Is it optimal for how I feel?”

You deserve more than “you’re fine.”

03/31/2026

💉 On GLP-1 therapy but worried about losing muscle? 💪🏽

Here’s the truth: weight loss without the right strategy can lead to muscle loss—not just fat loss.

At our practice, we do things differently 👇

✔️ Prioritize protein intake
✔️ Incorporate strength training guidance
✔️ Support with essential amino acids when appropriate
✔️ Monitor body composition—not just the scale

The goal isn’t just to be smaller—it’s to be stronger, leaner, and metabolically healthier.

If you’re on (or considering) GLP therapy, let’s make sure you’re doing it the right way.

📩 Message us to learn more or schedule a consultation

03/26/2026

Did you know that we offer … 🔆Medical Weight Management with GLP Therapy

✅ Our program utilizes GLP receptor agonists as part of a structured, medically supervised approach to weight management.

✅ These therapies target key physiologic pathways involved in appetite regulation, insulin sensitivity, and energy balance.

✅ Patients undergo a thorough assessment including metabolic markers, body composition, and lifestyle factors to guide treatment decisions.

✅✅ Treatment plans emphasize:

• Safe and appropriate dose titration
• Monitoring of metabolic parameters (A1C, lipids, insulin)
• Nutritional strategies to support fat loss while preserving muscle mass
• Behavioral and lifestyle interventions for long-term success

No cookie cutter approach and we follow up with our patients to monitor their nutritional goals ✅

03/25/2026

03/25/2026

Why strength training is essential for women over 40 💪🔥

Once women hit their 40s, the body changes … even if diet and cardio stay the same.

Lower ⬇️ estrogen, lower ⬇️ testosterone, and natural muscle loss make it easier to gain fat and harder to keep weight off.

Strength training isn’t optional at this stage… it’s NECESSARY!!! ❤️

✔ Helps maintain muscle mass
✔ Increases metabolism
✔ Supports hormone balance
✔ Improves bone density
✔ Reduces insulin resistance
✔ Protects against weight gain during perimenopause

Many women think they need more cardio after 40. ❌

Most actually need more muscle. ✅

In my practice, the women who lift weights consistently have better labs, better body composition, and better energy than the ones doing cardio alone.

If you’re over 40 and not strength training yet — this is your sign to start.

03/20/2026

Hashimoto’s + IBS/SIBO + fatigue / weight gain / brain fog 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣ …

This pattern shows up very often in women 30–50, especially after stress, pregnancy, illness, or hormonal changes.

Here is how these 3️⃣ connect physiologically.

1️⃣ The core condition: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s causes immune attack on the thyroid → lower thyroid hormone → slowed metabolism.

Common symptoms:
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Constipation
• Hair thinning
• Cold intolerance
• Brain fog
• Depression / anxiety

But thyroid alone usually isn’t the whole story.

2️⃣ Gut dysfunction: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth + Irritable bowel syndrome

Low thyroid slows motility → bacteria overgrow → IBS symptoms.

Mechanism:
Hypothyroid → slow gut → food sits longer → bacteria ferment → gas + inflammation

Symptoms:
• Bloating after meals
• Constipation or mixed stools
• Food sensitivities
• Reflux
• Bad breath
• Abdominal pressure

Very common in Hashimoto patients.

Also linked to:
• Leaky gut syndrome
• microbiome imbalance
• immune activation

This can worsen autoimmune activity.

3️⃣ Metabolic symptoms: fatigue + weight gain + brain fog

This is where patients get frustrated because labs may look “normal”.

Causes in this triad:

1️⃣ Low thyroid effect
• slower metabolism
• fluid retention
• low energy

2️⃣ Gut inflammation effect
• poor nutrient absorption
• B12 / iron / vitamin D deficiency
• mitochondrial fatigue

3️⃣ Cortisol / stress effect
• insulin resistance
• belly weight gain
• poor sleep
• anxiety

Common overlap with:

• Adrenal fatigue (not an official diagnosis but used in functional medicine)
• HPA axis dysregulation
• perimenopause

❌ Why this triad keeps repeating

This cycle feeds itself:

1. Stress / infection / pregnancy trigger
2. Gut imbalance develops
3. Immune system activated
4. Hashimoto starts
5. Thyroid slows gut
6. SIBO develops
7. Inflammation worsens autoimmunity
8. Fatigue + weight gain worsen

Loop continues.

Treatment 💊🩺

✔ Optimize thyroid
✔ Fix gut / SIBO
✔ Reduce inflammation
✔ Support metabolism
✔ Manage stress hormones

Not just Synthroid alone. ❌

03/19/2026

SIBO ⭐️ stands for 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡, a condition where too many bacteria grow in the small intestine, where bacteria are normally present only in small amounts.

🔬 What happens in SIBO

Normally, most gut bacteria live in the large intestine (colon).
In SIBO, bacteria move into or overgrow in the small intestine, which can interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption.

This can lead to:

• Fermentation of food too early
• Gas production
• Inflammation
• Poor absorption of nutrients

⚠️ Common symptoms:

• Bloating (often worse after eating)
• Gas / belching
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Brain fog
• Fatigue
• Food sensitivities
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Vitamin deficiencies (B12, iron, fat-soluble vitamins)

Many people with SIBO are misdiagnosed with:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Celiac Disease
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• Hypothyroidism

🧪 What causes SIBO

Common root causes include:

• Low stomach acid
• Poor gut motility
• Prior food poisoning
• Chronic stress
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders
• Long-term PPI use (acid blockers)
• Abdominal surgery
• Opioid use

🧪 How SIBO is diagnosed

Most commonly with a:

• Breath test (lactulose or glucose)
• Sometimes stool or organic acid testing (functional medicine approach)

03/17/2026

Thank you Meagan Smith for trusting me with your health!❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️PATIENT REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you for sharing your experience Meagan Smith ❤️

03/16/2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️PATIENT REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you for sharing your experience Meagan Smith ❤️

03/11/2026

We love hearing from our patients !!
❤️

Thank you Ammar Alzarrad for sharing your experience with us. 🥰