I Got My Fertility Lab Results Back...Here's What They Revealed

I Got My Fertility Lab Results Back...Here's What They Revealed

When I asked my doctor if there was any testing we should do, I was told two things: • Labs aren’t usually run until after three miscarriages • Even if we did test, there isn’t much we could look for But from a functional fertility perspective, that simply isn’t true. In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact lab panel I ran after my miscarriage and the key insights it revealed... including thyroid dysfunction, immune stress, and mineral deficiencies that could impact early pregnancy. More importantly, I’m sharing why these markers matter for implantation, early pregnancy, and miscarriage risk, and how this information is guiding my own fertility protocol moving forward. Because when you understand what your body is telling you, you can stop guessing... and start making intentional changes that support getting and staying pregnant. In This Episode We Cover • Why conventional medicine rarely investigates miscarriage until after multiple losses  • The functional fertility lab panel I ran after my miscarriage  • How immune function impacts implantation and miscarriage risk  • Why blood sugar and metabolic health matter for early pregnancy  • The connection between liver function, detox pathways, and hormone balance  • Why thyroid health is one of the biggest factors in sustaining pregnancy  • Signs of cellular energy dysfunction that can affect embryo development  • The critical roles of copper and zinc in implantation and placental development  • Why progesterone production depends on mineral balance  • The overlooked role of male factor fertility and why semen analysis matters  • How lab data can provide clarity and peace of mind after pregnancy loss The Biggest Findings From My Labs The most important patterns that showed up in my results were: • Signs of immune system strain • Suboptimal thyroid function by functional standards • Struggles with cellular energy production • Low levels of two key fertility minerals: copper and zinc These are all factors that can directly influence implantation, progesterone signaling, placental development, and early embryo growth. Want to Run These Labs for Yourself? If you're navigating fertility struggles or pregnancy loss and want real answers about what's happening in your body, I created a Functional Fertility Lab Bundle that includes: • The complete fertility lab panel discussed in this episode  • A recorded lab analysis from one of our fertility practitioners  • A personalized action plan based on your results  • A live Q&A call to walk through your protocol There are 16 spots available at a special price at the time of this episode release. Link to snag one of those spots is HERE [https://l.bttr.to/2WGOu]. Resources Mentioned • Episode 5: The Labs to Order If You've Had One or Several Miscarriages [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rewriting-fertility/id1874074811?i=1000749998343] • Episode 7: Low Progesterone? Here's How to Tell, Test, & Fix It (Without Missing the Root Cause) [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rewriting-fertility/id1874074811?i=1000752381505] • At-home semen analysis used in this episode (my link gives you 15% off): Bird&Be [https://birdandbe.com/CAITRIATHIELE] If you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and review the podcast. Your support helps more women find the answers they deserve on their fertility journey. 🤍

Low Progesterone? Here’s How to Tell, Test, and Fix It (Without Missing the Root Cause)

If you’ve ever been told your progesterone is “fine,” been prescribed progesterone without much explanation, or you’re stuck wondering why supplementing isn’t moving the needle...this episode is for you. Today I’m breaking down what progesterone is, what it does for implantation and pregnancy, how to tell when it’s low, the right  time to test it, and the biggest missing piece: low progesterone is usually not the root cause...it’s a signal to look upstream. You’ll also learn the three common categories that progesterone issues fall into (and what each one looks like when you’re tracking your cycle), plus a crucial warning about taking progesterone at the wrong time. In this episode, we cover: * What progesterone is and where it’s made (and when the placenta takes over in pregnancy) * Why progesterone is essential for implantation, immune tolerance, and reducing uterine contractions * The most common signs progesterone may be low (including luteal phase length + spotting) * How to use basal body temperature (BBT) patterns to assess progesterone trends * The biggest testing mistake I see: testing progesterone on the wrong cycle day * Western vs functional progesterone ranges (luteal phase + early pregnancy) * Why one blood draw isn’t the whole story (progesterone is pulsed) * Root causes of low progesterone: ovulation quality, thyroid, gut hormone clearance, inflammation, blood sugar, nutrients, stress, and sleep * Why bioidentical/supplemental progesterone doesn’t always “fix” it * A very important PSA: using progesterone at the wrong time can work against conception * Listener Q&A: * “Can it hurt to take progesterone if I’m not sure I need it?” * “What if progesterone is okay but estrogen is high in comparison?” Key takeaways * Progesterone is a downstream marker. If it’s low, the goal is to identify what’s driving it. * Timing matters. The best time to test progesterone is 5–7 days after confirmed ovulation (not a blanket “cycle day 21”). * Tracking gives context. BBT patterns, cycle length, symptoms, and tools like Inito can help you see what’s happening across the whole cycle. * Supplementation isn’t a shortcut. If the root cause is thyroid dysfunction, inflammation, blood sugar issues, gut dysbiosis, nutrient depletion, or chronic stress, progesterone alone may not be enough. Want to go deeper? If you’re ready to stop guessing and look upstream, the Functional Fertility Lab Bundle waitlist is your next stop.  The bundle includes comprehensive fertility labs, a recorded lab review, a personalized action plan, and a live call with our team.  We’re opening a limited number of spots on March 9th, and waitlist members are the first to know.  ➡️ Link to join the waitlist HERE [https://portal.connectedhealingllc.com/page/692539]. Resources mentioned * Basal Body Temperature thermometer linked HERE [https://amzn.to/4rHtdR2] * Inito fertility tracker linked HERE [https://www.inito.com/] (use code CAITRIA89 for 40% off) * Functional Fertility Lab Bundle waitlist If you loved this episode… Follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s been told “everything looks normal” but knows something is off. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice.

From 3 Miscarriages to Successful Pregnancy: A Client Case Study

After three miscarriages, being told her labs were “normal,” and trying everything she’d been told should work… this client finally found the missing pieces that allowed her to get - and stay - pregnant. In this episode, I’m walking you through a real functional fertility case study... including the exact labs we ran, the root causes we uncovered, and how a personalized, strategic protocol helped her move from recurrent loss to a healthy second-trimester pregnancy. If you’ve experienced recurrent miscarriage, unexplained infertility, hormone imbalance, thyroid issues, or gut health struggles, this episode will help you understand why deeper testing and a root-cause approach can make all the difference. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why “normal” fertility labs can still hide major red flags * The overlooked connection between chronic stress, cortisol, and progesterone * How H. pylori and gut infections can impact nutrient absorption, inflammation, and implantation * The role of vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium in sustaining early pregnancy * How microbiome imbalances influence estrogen metabolism and immune signaling * What low secretory IgA means for fertility and miscarriage risk * Why thyroid conversion issues can exist even when TSH looks perfect * The exact order we used to rebuild this client’s fertility foundation The Backstory This client came to us after: * 3 pregnancy losses * “Unexplained infertility” * Slightly low AMH and elevated FSH * Extensive supplement routines that weren’t working Through comprehensive functional fertility testing, we discovered: ✔️ Adrenal and systemic stress patterns  ✔️ Low vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium  ✔️ H. pylori infection and inflammatory bacteria  ✔️ Depleted beneficial gut microbes  ✔️ Low mucosal immune resilience (secretory IgA)  ✔️ Sneaky hypothyroid patterns impacting energy and progesterone signaling Instead of chasing symptoms, we rebuilt her foundation... starting with digestion, nutrients, and nervous system support before addressing infections and hormones. Two cycles later, she conceived. She is now in her second trimester with a healthy, growing baby. Recurrent miscarriage is rarely caused by just one issue. Often, it’s a combination of: * Gut health * Immune regulation * Nutrient status * Thyroid function * Nervous system stress This episode gives you a real look at how functional fertility work identifies and addresses the deeper layers that conventional testing often misses. You are not broken...and you are not out of options. Want us to run (and analyze) these labs for you too? The Functional Fertility Lab Bundle opens March 9. Inside, you’ll receive: * Comprehensive fertility lab testing * A detailed functional analysis * A personalized protocol * Expert guidance so you can stop guessing and start healing 👉 Join the waitlist HERE [https://portal.connectedhealingllc.com/page/692539] to be first in line when doors open. Related Episode 🎧 Episode 5: The most important labs for recurrent miscarriage linked HERE [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rewriting-fertility/id1874074811?i=1000749998343] ⭐️ If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and review the podcast. Your support helps more women find real answers beyond “everything looks normal.”

The labs to order if you've had one or several miscarriages

We’re getting super nerdy in this episode...but the goal is clarity, not overwhelm. I’m walking you through the key “puzzle pieces” that matter for getting and staying pregnant, and why so many of them are routinely overlooked in conventional care. If you’ve ever been told your labs are “normal” after a loss OR even more likely...you were told there's no reason to run labs until you've had MORE losses… this one is for you. In this episode, we cover: * Why thyroid function is a foundational regulator of fertility (and why TSH alone can miss dysfunction) * The thyroid labs that give a fuller picture (T4/T3, free vs total, T3 uptake, reverse T3) * Why thyroid antibodies (TPO + thyroglobulin) matter for implantation and miscarriage risk * Iron status beyond ferritin: serum iron + TIBC/UIBC + transport/utilization patterns * Why vitamin A, copper, and ceruloplasmin can be the “missing link” in iron issues * Iron sequestration: why the body may “hide” iron when infections/pathogens are present * CBC + CMP as foundational labs for blood, immune patterns, and overall terrain * Inflammation markers: CRP and ESR (and why the next step is identifying the root cause) * Metabolic health and miscarriage: fasting glucose, insulin, and A1C * Nutrients that matter: vitamin D, magnesium (RBC magnesium), zinc * Homocysteine: methylation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood flow to the placenta * Why leptin and cholesterol can offer additional clues in root-cause fertility work * Male factor: why a semen analysis (ideally including DNA fragmentation) deserves a seat at the table Resources mentioned: * Bird&Be at-home semen analysis linked HERE [https://birdandbe.com/CAITRIATHIELE] * At-home semen analysis with DNA fragmentation linked HERE [https://www.sapyen.co/products/semen-analysis-and-dna-fragmentation-test-kit]  * Functional Fertility Lab Bundle waitlist linked HERE [https://portal.connectedhealingllc.com/page/692539] Important dates: * The Functional Fertility Lab Bundle opens March 9. Join the waitlist to be first to know! Next episode: I’m sharing a client story: multiple miscarriages, told IVF was her only option, and what happened when we ran functional fertility labs, identified the real blockers, and addressed them. Spoiler alert...she’s now in her second trimester of pregnancy 🥳

If you've had one (or multiple) miscarriages, here's my advice

If you’ve had one loss, or several, and you’ve been told it was “just bad luck” and to call your doctor when you’re pregnant again… this episode is for you. In Episode 4, Caitria breaks down why you don’t have to accept statistics-based advice as your truth, and how to start rebuilding from the inside out after loss. We talk about the mental spiral of “what ifs,” how to gently rewrite the stories running in the background, and the practical, grounded foundations that help your physical body feel safe enough to cycle, conceive, and stay pregnant again. In this episode, we cover: * How to listen to your gut when medical advice doesn’t feel right in your body * The what-if spiral... and why it’s human (not something to shame yourself for) * The mindset shift that changes everything: stories vs facts (and how to rewrite the ones that aren’t serving you) * “Equal and opposite” thinking: making space for best-case scenario without denying reality * Brain dump journaling: a simple, powerful way to unload the mental heaviness (timer + pen + paper) * The “what am I making this mean?” tool... and how to interrupt the belief that your body can’t be trusted * Post-loss care as a season of internal winter: warmth, restoration, slowness, and deep nourishment * Nutrition basics that matter more than supplements right now * Why this is not the time for detoxes, cleanses, keto, or extreme protocols... even if the marketing makes it tempting * Common “funky” post-loss symptoms (jawline acne, night sweats, headaches, digestive changes, fatigue, irritability, sleep disruption)...and why they don’t have to mean something is "wrong" * Movement after loss: walking, gentle strength, Pilates/yoga... only as energy returns * Why acupuncture can be an incredibly supportive regulation tool in this season * A preview of next episode: the exact labs Caitria recommends post-loss + a new lab bundle waitlist Resources & Next Steps * CLICK HERE [https://portal.connectedhealingllc.com/page/692539] to join the waitlist for Caitria’s preconception + post-loss lab bundle If this episode hit home… Share it with a friend who’s been told to “just try again,” or leave a review... it helps this podcast reach the people who need it most. Listen to Episode 5 next: We’re getting specific... the exact labs to run post-loss, why they matter for fertility, and how to interpret them.