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The One Test You Might Be Missing for Fatigue & Hair Loss
Published 2 months ago • 6 min read
Why ‘Normal Iron’ Labs Can Be Misleading
Hello Reader,
Ever been told your iron labs are “normal,” yet you still feel wiped out, foggy, or notice hair shedding?
Chances are, ferritin wasn’t tested. Ferritin is your body’s iron savings account. Serum iron shows what’s floating in your blood today, but ferritin shows what’s actually stored for your body to use.
Without it, low iron can fly under the radar. And on the flip side, high ferritin can signal inflammation or even iron overload. Both can impact energy, hair, nails, and more.
Quick Snapshot: Signs You Might Need a Full Iron Panel
High ferritin: joint pain, liver stress, skin changes, chronic fatigue
Patient Snapshots
Low ferritin: One patient had normal serum iron but ferritin of 12 ng/mL. Fatigue, hair loss, restless legs. Solved with diet + gentle supplementation.
High ferritin: Another patient had ferritin over 500 ng/mL. Diagnosed with hemochromatosis, avoiding long-term organ damage.
Take Control of Your Health – Order Your Own Lab Tests!
Ever wish you could skip the hassle of finding a doctor just to order the lab tests you know you need? Now you can!
I've curated a custom Rupa Health Lab Shop with my top-recommended tests that you can order yourself—no doctor visit required. Whether you're looking to check in on your hormones, thyroid, gut health, micronutrient levels, iron and anemia status, or more, you can easily browse and choose what’s best for you.
Once you get your results, you can book a consultation to establish patient care with me and we can go over them, you can forward them to your primary care doctor for more guidance, or use the insights to start making empowered health choices.
Take the first step toward feeling your best!
*If you would like to have your results interpreted by Dr. Francesca, please click here to request appointment and pricing information. 1 on 1 appointments, supplements, and other treatments are not included with the Rupa Health lab fees.*
Dr. Francesca works only with patients physically located in California.
✅ How blood sugar affects your energy, weight, skin, and cycle ✅ Blood sugar-friendly meals that keep hormones happy ✅ Lifestyle hacks (plus product recs!) to keep blood sugar stable all day long ✅ Testing recommendations to discuss with your doctor
Why This Guide is a Game-Changer:
🔹 No gimmicks or restrictive diets, just real, sustainable solutions 🔹 Perfect for hormone imbalances, PCOS, and stubborn weight gain 🔹 👉 A great first step to learning about your body before investing in 1-on-1 consultations with doctors, like myself! 🙋🏻♀️
Balance Your Hormones & Energy with These Blood Sugar Hacks
Switching to a healthier lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to overhaul everything at once; it’s all about small swaps that really add up. These are the exact products I use daily (and recommend to my patients) to support balanced hormones, glowing skin, and a low-tox home.
✨ For Skin & Beauty:
Low-Tox Makeup — my “no-makeup makeup” look that actually benefits your skin.
If you’re looking for a delicious cup of coffee that’s also good for you and won't cause that acidity feeling, look no further than Purity Coffee! Sourced from the finest organic beans, Purity Coffee is tested for mycotoxins and other harmful substances, ensuring you enjoy a clean, health-boosting brew.
Rich in antioxidants, it supports overall well-being while giving you the perfect pick-me-up.
Although I am a doctor, I may not be your doctor. The information contained within the pages of this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat conditions. Please consult with your doctor before implementing any of the treatments, diets, supplements, etc. mentioned in this newsletter.
Just a little note before we dive in: some of the links in this post/newsletter are affiliate links. That means if you decide to try something through them, it helps support my work at no extra cost to you, so I can keep sharing tips, recipes, and resources you find helpful! For the full scoop, check out my Affiliate Disclosure.
Naturopathic Doctor | Healthy Hormones + Glowing Skin
Join our growing community where I send out informative newsletters aimed to empower you in your health. I send out newsletters to help men and women to improve their hormones, gut, and skin in an impactful and sustainable way.
Just a little note before we dive in: some of the links in this post/newsletter are affiliate links. That means if you decide to try something through them, it helps support my work at no extra cost to you, so I can keep sharing tips, recipes, and resources you find helpful! For the full scoop, check out my Affiliate Disclosure. Year-End Wellness Reminder: Don’t Lose Your FSA/HSA Funds! Hello Reader, If you still have FSA or HSA money sitting around, consider this your gentle nudge: don’t let...
Just a little note before we dive in: some of the links in this post/newsletter are affiliate links. That means if you decide to try something through them, it helps support my work at no extra cost to you, so I can keep sharing tips, recipes, and resources you find helpful! For the full scoop, check out my Affiliate Disclosure. The Gifts That Keep On Giving: My 2025 Wellness Gift Guide Hello Reader, Holiday season is in full swing and if you’ve been wondering what to get the wellness friends...
Is your skin freaking out this fall? Let’s fix that Hello Reader, If your skin’s been feeling tight, dry, or just off lately, you’re not imagining it. Fall is when I start hearing the same story from so many of my patients: “I didn’t change anything, but my skin feels so much drier all of a sudden!” The truth is, this season brings subtle environmental shifts: cooler air, lower humidity, more heater time. All of these quietly pull moisture right out of your skin. But it’s not just about...
