Years ago, I was pregnant and exhausted.
Not the soft, sleepy pregnancy fatigue. Something deeper.
My thyroid markers came back within the normal range. On the higher side… but still normal.
I was told gently, “It’s just pregnancy.” And that may have been true — in part.
But three months later, I uncovered autoimmune activity and significant thyroid impact.
The numbers hadn’t been “wrong.” They had been early.
The only reason I recognised it was because I knew what to look for. And that experience shaped how I practise to this day.
Not with fear. With perspective.
Two Different Lenses
The medical system is designed to identify disease.
It is extraordinary at this. If you have acute infection, organ failure, cancer, severe pathology — there is nowhere else in the world I would want you to be.
But the system is built to intervene once something has crossed a diagnostic threshold.
That’s its role.
Naturopathy was built with a different intention. Not to replace medicine. But to ask a different question:
How do we create the strongest, most resilient physiology possible — long before disease establishes?
That is the difference. One waits for confirmation. The other looks for optimisation.
Neither is wrong. They simply serve different stages of the health spectrum.
The Grey Zone No One Talks About
Between “well” and “diseased” there is a long stretch of grey.
Energy shifts.
Mood softens.
Metabolism slows.
Recovery takes longer.
Hormones fluctuate.
Blood markers may still sit inside reference ranges. But trends tell stories. Ratios whisper. Patterns emerge.
In my case, my thyroid was compensating. Working harder. Still within range. But not thriving.
And that’s the key word.
THRIVING.
Why I Read Results the Way I Do
After 30 years in clinic, I don’t ask: “Is this normal?”
I ask:
Is this optimal for this stage of life?
Is this marker compensating for stress elsewhere?
Is this pattern sustainable?
Is this person resilient — or just coping?
That’s the preventative lens. It doesn’t create anxiety. It creates opportunity.
Because when you identify subtle shifts early, you can support the body gently.
You don’t need aggressive intervention. You need intelligent direction.
Prevention Is Not Fear-Based
There is nothing dramatic about wanting optimal thyroid function. Or steady blood sugar. Or balanced inflammatory markers. Or healthy ferritin levels.
It is not alarmist to want more than “no disease detected.”
IT IS WISE.
We service our cars before the engine fails. We don’t wait for the roof to collapse before repairing a leak.
Why should our physiology be any different?
You Deserve More Than “You’re Fine”
If you’ve ever felt something wasn’t quite right — even when tests were technically normal — I want you to hear this:
That quiet awareness matters. It doesn’t mean you’re unwell. It means you’re paying attention.
And preventative medicine is simply the art of responding to those early signals before they escalate.
The medical system looks for disease.
I look for vitality.
And when those two approaches work together, that’s when people truly flourish.
Because normal is a statistical range. Best health is intentional.
Warmly,
Teressa,
Naturopath +Biochemist
Ready to kick start Gut Health? Book a Call!
This is how gut microbes can influence weight!
Probiotics can help you gain weight or lose weight by interacting with our genetics, food and metabolism.
And yes, I did say lose or gain weight……..
Firstly, let me explain that the trillions of microbes in the gut need to be varied, meaning that there should be a large variety of species. There are many different species (or breeds) of microbes, and they all have their place in aiding health — the more variety and balance, the better health results.
Back to the weight loss or weight gain issue….
Do you eat yogurt and berries for breakfast? Thinking that it’s helping you lose weight?
Well, Lactobacillus acidophilus (like the species found in yoghurt) has been connected to weight gain.
I am not saying throw your yoghurt and berries in the bin. Instead, I am suggesting looking at the overall picture. If Lactobacillus acidophilus is the predominant micro-organism of the gut, then weight gain can result.
It is about the variety of species of gut microbes. Imagine if we only have trained german shepherd guard dogs in the world. It may be a safe world, but I am sure that other breeds may be more suitable as a family pet.
While Lactobacillus acidophilus is associated with weight gain, other Lactobacillus species correlate with weight loss.
Species like Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacteria animalis have been found to support weight loss.
Want to lose weight?
Look at your gut flora to support your goal.
Tests can be performed to identify the predominant species of the gut, and specific species can be utilised to support weight changes.
Want more information about your gut health?
Or want to look at all the factors contributing to weight gain, I’d love to be able to help.
