Nourish consistently
Regular meals and a varied diet are the starting place. Review your prenatal with your clinician, including folic acid, iron, iodine, choline, and any dietary needs. The same label will not suit everyone.
01 / The introduction
Before the Beginning
An invitation to nourish the body before a new life begins.
Preconception care makes space for nourishment, your menstrual story, your medical history, and the life you hope to create. My Fertility Edit gathers nutritional and targeted selections to consider within that wider conversation. Your plan should be as individual as your story.
02 / A note from Dr. Michele
A note from Dr. Michele.
The Fertility Protocol A naturopathic and functional medicine approach to preparing for conception. When I think about fertility, I think about the whole woman—her nourishment, hormones, sleep, metabolic health, and the microbial ecosystems that are part of her physiology. My approach begins with understanding your individual story. Your cycle patterns, health history, nutrition, medications, and clinically appropriate laboratory testing help guide what belongs in your plan. This collection brings together prenatal nutrition, choline, omega-3s, and selected options for antioxidant, metabolic, and microbiome support. Each has a potential place; the combination, timing, and duration depend on your needs. Supplements sit within a broader foundation: nourishing food, restorative sleep, movement, and space to feel supported through a deeply personal experience. My intention is thoughtful preparation—bringing naturopathic principles and modern science together in care that recognizes your body’s complexity.
I Don't Just Teach This. I Lived It.
At 44, I conceived naturally. And the preparation began long before that moment.
Before becoming pregnant, I made a conscious decision to prepare my body for conception. I looked at everything: my nutrition, hormones, metabolic health, environmental exposures, and the products I used every day.
I began by detoxifying my daily environment, removing unnecessary chemical exposures, choosing cleaner beauty and personal care products, and becoming even more intentional about what I brought into my home and my body.
I focused on nourishing my cells, supporting my body's natural detoxification processes, understanding my hormonal health, and choosing high-quality nutritional and botanical preparations.
This wasn't simply something I recommended to my patients. It was how I approached my own fertility.
And at 44, I became pregnant naturally.
That experience gave an entirely new and deeply personal meaning to the medicine I had spent years studying and practicing.
Before the Beginning reflects that journey. It brings together the foundations, nutritional preparations, clean-living considerations, and thoughtful product selections that shaped my own preparation for motherhood.
I cannot promise that my experience will be someone else's. Fertility is deeply individual, and no supplement or detoxification routine can guarantee conception.
But I can share the philosophy I practiced myself, the science that informed my decisions, and the products I chose with extraordinary care.
Because sometimes the most meaningful medicine is the medicine we have lived.
03 / Begin with the foundations
Make room for the foundations before the formulas.
Know your cycle and history
Bring cycle length, changes in bleeding, previous pregnancies, conditions, medicines, and supplements into the conversation. If you have a partner, their health belongs in preconception planning too.
Leave room for timely care
Sleep, movement, and support matter, but supplements should not delay a fertility evaluation. Age, irregular cycles, known conditions, and time trying to conceive help determine when to seek care.
04 / Inside the Edit
A place for each selection.
These are distinct options to consider individually. Explore the preparation before deciding what belongs in your care.
01 / PRENATAL FOUNDATIONS
Prenatal foundations.
Folate, choline and DHA sit alongside food, sleep, and a review of overlapping nutrients.
- VIEW ON FULLSCRIPT →Basic PrenatalThorne
- VIEW ON FULLSCRIPT →Prenatal DHAThorne
- VIEW ON FULLSCRIPT →ProDHA™Nordic Naturals
- VIEW ON FULLSCRIPT →CholineVital Nutrients
02 / CELLULAR NUTRITION
Cellular nutrition.
Antioxidant and mitochondrial options need a specific reason, with no promise of pregnancy.
- VIEW ON FULLSCRIPT →CoQ10Needed
- VIEW ON FULLSCRIPT →Alpha-Lipoic AcidThorne
- VIEW ON FULLSCRIPT →N-Acetyl-L-CysteineKlaire Labs/SFI Health
- VIEW ON FULLSCRIPT →Egg Quality SupportNeeded
03 / THE FEMININE MICROBIOME
The feminine microbiome.
Oral and vaginal preparations have different uses. Follow the route on the actual label.
04 / INDIVIDUAL PRECONCEPTION CONSIDERATIONS
Individual preconception considerations.
Choices for an individual history, not a routine group to take together.
- VIEW ON FULLSCRIPT →Milk Thistle 1000Gaia Herbs Pro
- VIEW ON FULLSCRIPT →Myo + D-Chiro Inositol™Biotics Research
- VIEW ON FULLSCRIPT →Melatonin-SR (2 mg)Klaire Labs/SFI Health
05 / The science behind my selections
Read a little deeper.
Thorne
Basic Prenatal
Why I chose it
The formulation. A prenatal multivitamin with methylfolate, iron, iodine, choline and other vitamins and minerals.
The physiology. These nutrients contribute to blood formation, thyroid function, cell division and normal development; the purpose is to close nutritional gaps alongside food.
The human evidence. Nutrient adequacy matters before conception, but this product is not evidence that conception will occur or that ovarian reserve will improve.
Individual considerations. Review iron needs and the total from other supplements. Avoid taking multiple prenatal or multivitamin formulas together without review; keep iron-containing products away from children. Vitamin K matters for people taking warfarin.
Shop This ProductResearch & references
Needed
Prenatal Pre/Probiotic
Why I chose it
The formulation. A multi-strain probiotic with prebiotic pomegranate compounds and milk-derived lactoferrin; the formula includes the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii.
The physiology. The design combines live microbes with substrates and proteins intended to support the intestinal microbial environment.
The human evidence. Probiotic effects depend on the strain, condition and formulation. Research on individual organisms does not establish that this blend improves conception or guarantees vaginal protection.
Individual considerations. Contains a milk-derived ingredient, which matters for milk allergy even when lactose is low. Live-microbe products need individual review in severe illness or immunocompromise.
Shop This ProductResearch & references
Vitanica
V-Probiotics™
Why I chose it
The formulation. A vaginal suppository capsule containing five Lactobacillus species, including L. crispatus, L. gasseri and L. jensenii.
The physiology. Local delivery is intended to support vaginal microbial ecology, where lactobacilli can contribute to an acidic environment.
The human evidence. Benefits are strain- and delivery-specific; this product is not a proven fertility treatment or a substitute for diagnosing discharge, odor, irritation or infection.
Individual considerations. This is for vaginal use, not oral use. Follow the exact label and seek pregnancy-specific guidance before inserting a vaginal product; new or persistent symptoms need assessment.
Shop This ProductResearch & references
Needed
CoQ10
Why I chose it
The formulation. A ubiquinol form of coenzyme Q10.
The physiology. CoQ10 participates in mitochondrial electron transport and cellular antioxidant systems, providing a biologic rationale for studying it in ovarian function.
The human evidence. An IVF trial in younger women with low ovarian reserve improved some egg and embryo measures; pregnancy and live-birth differences were not statistically significant. That does not establish benefit for everyone trying naturally or prove reversal of ovarian aging.
Individual considerations. Review use with warfarin, insulin or cancer treatment and reassess the plan once pregnancy occurs. Avoid inadvertently duplicating CoQ10 across blends.
Shop This Product
Thorne
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Why I chose it
The formulation. A stand-alone alpha-lipoic acid capsule.
The physiology. Alpha-lipoic acid is a cofactor in mitochondrial energy reactions and participates in antioxidant recycling.
The human evidence. Those biochemical roles do not establish a general fertility benefit or make an antioxidant necessary for every preconception plan.
Individual considerations. Review use during conception treatment or pregnancy and with glucose-lowering medicines. Check for duplication with Needed Egg Quality Support and combination antioxidant formulas.
Shop This ProductResearch & references
Gaia Herbs Pro
Milk Thistle 1000
Silybum marianum
Why I chose it
Plant part
Seed
Preparation
Capsulated seed extract standardized to silymarins
A long-standing European liver and digestive botanical.
Important constituents. Silymarin, a mixture of flavonolignans including silibinin.
Human liver-disease studies are conflicting or too limited to establish benefit. The evidence does not support a general liver detoxification promise.
GI symptoms and allergic reactions can occur, particularly in people sensitive to ragweed-family plants. Medication review is appropriate; pregnancy and breastfeeding data are limited.
The formulation. A concentrated milk-thistle fruit extract supplying silymarins.
The physiology. Silymarin compounds have antioxidant and hepatocyte-related effects in laboratory research and a long history of liver-focused herbal use.
The human evidence. This does not establish improved fertility or show that a healthy person needs liver cleansing before conception.
Individual considerations. Gaia advises against milk-thistle use in pregnancy. Review use while trying to conceive, existing liver disease, medicines and allergy to related plants before selecting it.
Shop This Product
Thorne
Prenatal DHA
Why I chose it
The formulation. A DHA-focused fish-oil formula that also supplies EPA.
The physiology. DHA is a structural component of brain and retinal cell membranes, while EPA and DHA participate in cell signaling.
The human evidence. The nutritional rationale relates to omega-3 intake during pregnancy; it does not establish that this product improves conception or egg quality.
Individual considerations. Review fish or shellfish allergy and anticoagulant use. Choose between overlapping DHA products according to total intake; adding both this and ProDHA is not automatically useful.
Shop This ProductResearch & references
Nordic Naturals
ProDHA™
Why I chose it
The formulation. A DHA-dominant triglyceride-form fish oil with EPA.
The physiology. DHA contributes to neuronal and retinal membrane structure and can help address low dietary long-chain omega-3 intake.
The human evidence. This is an alternative omega-3 selection, not a demonstrated treatment for infertility or a reason to duplicate Prenatal DHA.
Individual considerations. Check fish allergy, anticoagulants and total EPA/DHA from other products. Pregnancy selection should fit the complete prenatal plan.
Shop This ProductResearch & references
Klaire Labs/SFI Health
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine
Why I chose it
The formulation. A stand-alone N-acetyl-L-cysteine, or NAC, supplement.
The physiology. NAC supplies cysteine, a substrate used to make the antioxidant glutathione.
The human evidence. Its biologic role and research in selected clinical settings do not establish routine benefit for all people trying to conceive; it should not be presented as a fertility detox.
Individual considerations. Review pregnancy use and medications with the treating clinician. Gastrointestinal intolerance is possible; avoid duplication with other NAC or antioxidant combinations.
Shop This ProductResearch & references
Biotics Research
Myo + D-Chiro Inositol™
Why I chose it
The formulation. A powder combining myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol in a 40:1 ratio.
The physiology. Inositols participate in insulin-related signaling, which is one reason they are studied in polycystic ovary syndrome.
The human evidence. The international PCOS guideline describes inositol for infertility as experimental: effects on ovulation, clinical pregnancy and live birth remain uncertain. The marketed ratio is not an established best choice for everyone.
Individual considerations. Use should follow a PCOS and metabolic assessment, with review of glucose-lowering medicines and gastrointestinal tolerance. It is not a universal preconception requirement.
Shop This ProductResearch & references
Klaire Labs/SFI Health
Melatonin-SR (2 mg)
Why I chose it
The formulation. A sustained-release melatonin capsule designed to release the hormone over several hours.
The physiology. Melatonin signals biological night and participates in circadian timing; release profile matters when it is selected for a sleep concern.
The human evidence. Sleep-related use and early reproductive research do not establish routine fertility or live-birth benefits for this product.
Individual considerations. The manufacturer label reproduced by Fullscript says not to use while trying to become pregnant, pregnant or nursing unless instructed by a physician. It also calls for review with medicines or seizure, autoimmune, endocrine or diabetic conditions. It can cause drowsiness; do not drive after taking it.
Shop This ProductResearch & references
Needed
Egg Quality Support
Why I chose it
The formulation. A blend of acetyl-L-carnitine, R-alpha-lipoic acid, PQQ and green tea extract.
The physiology. The ingredients are selected for mitochondrial metabolism and antioxidant pathways involved in cellular energy.
The human evidence. Mechanistic and ingredient research does not establish that this exact blend improves live-birth rates or reverses age-related chromosome changes in eggs.
Individual considerations. Review the complete fertility and medication plan, including pregnancy use, rather than assuming a fertility-labeled blend suits every stage. It overlaps with the separate alpha-lipoic acid selection and other antioxidant products.
Shop This ProductResearch & references
Vital Nutrients
Choline
Why I chose it
The formulation. A stand-alone choline bitartrate supplement.
The physiology. Choline supplies building blocks for cell membranes and acetylcholine and participates in methyl-group metabolism; pregnancy raises the importance of meeting total choline needs.
The human evidence. This is targeted nutrient coverage, not a proven fertility treatment or a guarantee of cognitive outcomes for a future child.
Individual considerations. Count choline from food and the prenatal before adding it. Excess intake can cause a fishy odor, vomiting, sweating and low blood pressure.
Shop This ProductResearch & references
Crystal
Unscented Crystal Body Spray Deodorant
Why I chose it
The formulation. A fragrance-free mineral deodorant spray containing potassium alum, with baking soda and zinc gluconate among its ingredients.
The physiology. This is an odor-control choice for daily personal care, separate from the nutritional and botanical selections.
The human evidence. There is no established fertility benefit from choosing this deodorant, and its inclusion should not imply that ordinary deodorant causes infertility.
Individual considerations. Use externally on intact skin and stop if irritation develops. Potassium alum is an aluminum salt; describe the actual ingredients rather than calling the spray aluminum-free or toxin-free.
Shop This ProductResearch & references
THE NUTRITIONAL FOUNDATION
Prenatal nutrition, choline & DHA
Preparing for pregnancy begins with nourishment. Folate supports cell division and early neural-tube development; choline contributes to cell membranes and nervous-system signaling; DHA is a structural omega-3 fat in the brain and retina.
I look at these nutrients together with food intake and the full prenatal label. Choline and DHA may sit in separate products, so a thoughtful plan starts by seeing what is already covered.
Folic acid before conception and in early pregnancy has established benefits for preventing neural-tube defects. Choline and DHA have important nutritional roles, while supplementation decisions depend on diet and the complete prenatal plan. Review folate, iron, iodine, and other nutrients together to avoid unnecessary overlap.
Research & references
CELLULAR ENERGY SUPPORT
CoQ10
CoQ10 helps carry electrons through the mitochondria, where cells produce usable energy. It also has an antioxidant role. Because developing eggs have substantial energy demands, these functions have made CoQ10 an area of fertility research.
In selected IVF populations, studies have reported improvements in ovarian response and embryo-related measures. I consider it a targeted addition to a fertility conversation, separate from the prenatal foundation.
A randomized trial in younger women with reduced ovarian reserve undergoing IVF-ICSI reported improved egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo measures after CoQ10 pretreatment. Pregnancy and live-birth differences were not statistically significant. These results do not establish a universal fertility benefit or predict an individual outcome.
Research & references
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MITOCHONDRIA
Egg Quality Support · Needed
This formula brings together acetyl-L-carnitine, R-alpha-lipoic acid, green tea extract, and PQQ. Carnitine participates in fat metabolism, alpha-lipoic acid works with mitochondrial enzyme systems, and green tea supplies polyphenols. PQQ is included for its role in the formulation’s cellular-health rationale.
I look at this as a combination of ingredients with different functions, rather than treating “egg quality” as a single nutrient need. The current formula, fertility plan, and timing around pregnancy all belong in the decision.
Needed combines acetyl-L-carnitine, R-alpha-lipoic acid, green tea extract, and PQQ. The formulation rationale concerns antioxidant activity and mitochondrial biology. It does not establish that the finished product increases pregnancy or live-birth rates. Review the exact current label and whether to continue any formula once pregnant.
Research & references
THE MICROBIAL CONVERSATION
Prenatal probiotics
Probiotics introduce selected living microorganisms. Their role depends on the strain, the preparation, and the reason for use: a digestive question and a vaginal-health question are different conversations.
I keep the wider ecosystem in view—food, digestive comfort, symptoms, and the changing needs around pregnancy—then look for a product whose specific organisms match the question.
A probiotic label should identify the organisms and the intended use. Evidence for one strain or preparation cannot automatically be applied to another. A probiotic is not a fertility treatment or a substitute for evaluating vaginal or digestive symptoms.
Research & references
06 / Shop the Edit
Check out the full protocol
Explore the complete collection, then choose the individual products that fit your care. Fullscript provides current labels, pricing and availability.
Shop the Full Edit07 / Functional laboratory testing
A Closer Look Through Testing
A test begins with a question. These are options to explore when your history, symptoms, or existing results call for more information. You do not need every test in this directory.
Questions connected with this Edit.
Precision Analytical (DUTCH)
DUTCH Complete
- What it measures
- Sex hormones and selected metabolites, daily cortisol and cortisone patterns, and selected organic-acid markers.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A clinician has a specific hormone-metabolism or daily rhythm question after reviewing cycle history, symptoms, and hormone use.
- What ordering involves
- Timed dried urine samples collected with the at-home kit. Record sleep timing, cycle day when relevant, hormone use, and collection times. Do not substitute DUTCH Complete, Plus, or Cycle Mapping schedules for one another.
- Keep in mind
- Daily patterns are affected by timing, medicines, and collection conditions. These tests do not diagnose grief or adrenal fatigue.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
- What it measures
- Glucose, electrolytes, proteins, and markers related to liver and kidney function.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A broader metabolic baseline or follow-up may clarify symptoms or previous results.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Interpret with the reason for testing, symptoms, medical history, and the laboratory method. An isolated result is not a diagnosis.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Iron, TIBC and Ferritin Panel
- What it measures
- Serum iron, iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation, and ferritin as a marker of iron stores.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Heavy menstrual bleeding, dietary limitation, suspected depletion, or possible iron overload makes the iron pattern clinically relevant.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. The current storefront marks this test as requiring fasting. Follow the exact order instructions for duration and other preparation; discuss medication timing with the ordering clinician.
- Keep in mind
- Interpret with the reason for testing, symptoms, medical history, and the laboratory method. An isolated result is not a diagnosis.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
TSH with Reflex to Free T4
- What it measures
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone, with free T4 added if the laboratory reflex criteria are met.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Symptoms or history suggest a possible thyroid contribution to changes in energy, temperature tolerance, bowel habits, or cycles.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Interpret with the reason for testing, symptoms, medical history, and the laboratory method. An isolated result is not a diagnosis.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Hemoglobin A1c with eAG
- What it measures
- Glycated hemoglobin and calculated estimated average glucose over roughly two to three months.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- There is a reason to assess longer-term glucose regulation alongside nourishment, movement, and sleep.
- What ordering involves
- Whole blood from a blood draw. A1c alone does not require fasting; other tests in the same order may.
- Keep in mind
- Anemia, hemoglobin variants, recent blood loss or transfusion, and altered red-cell turnover can affect interpretation. It does not reveal individual meal-related glucose peaks.
Test information & references
Tiny Health
Vaginal Health Test
- What it measures
- Vaginal microbial DNA using shotgun metagenomics, including relative abundance patterns and vaginal community state type.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Persistent or recurrent vaginal symptoms raise a question about microbial patterns, with findings interpreted alongside examination and tissue health.
- What ordering involves
- Vaginal swab collected with the at-home kit. The listing describes this test for women over 18. Follow Tiny Health’s supplied vaginal-swab instructions for timing and preparation; do not apply another laboratory’s kit instructions.
- Keep in mind
- Interpret microbial detection with symptoms and examination. This is not a urine culture or a complete explanation for recurrent urinary symptoms.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), Female
- What it measures
- Anti-Mullerian hormone, a marker that adds information about ovarian reserve.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A fertility evaluation needs ovarian-reserve context, especially for anticipating response to ovarian stimulation.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. AMH can generally be measured on any cycle day; discuss recent hormone use and relevant clinical context.
- Keep in mind
- AMH informs ovarian reserve and anticipated response to stimulation. It does not measure egg quality or provide a definitive prediction of natural conception.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy, Total, Immunoassay
- What it measures
- 25-hydroxy vitamin D, the main circulating marker used to assess vitamin D status.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Diet, limited outdoor exposure, bone health, or another clinical factor makes vitamin D assessment useful.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Interpret with the reason for testing, symptoms, medical history, and the laboratory method. An isolated result is not a diagnosis.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
CBC (includes Differential and Platelets)
- What it measures
- Red-cell measures, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, and a white-cell differential.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Fatigue, suspected anemia, immune-cell changes, or another clinical question warrants a blood count.
- What ordering involves
- Whole blood from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Interpret with the reason for testing, symptoms, medical history, and the laboratory method. An isolated result is not a diagnosis.
Test information & references
Explore All Lab Tests 29 more options
Genova Diagnostics
GI Effects® Comprehensive Profile - 1 day
- What it measures
- Selected markers of digestion, intestinal inflammation, and organisms in a one-day stool sample.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Persistent digestive symptoms warrant a closer look after the diet, bowel pattern, medication history, and clinical assessment have been reviewed.
- What ordering involves
- Stool collected with the one-day at-home kit. Follow the selected laboratory instructions for collection days, sample handling, and recent antimicrobial or supplement use.
- Keep in mind
- A stool result is a snapshot. Microbial associations do not prove a cause of symptoms or establish one ideal microbiome; individual markers differ in clinical validation.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Apolipoprotein B
- What it measures
- Apolipoprotein B, a protein that helps estimate the burden of atherogenic lipoprotein particles.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A cardiovascular risk review would benefit from particle-related information beyond a standard cholesterol result.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Interpret with the reason for testing, symptoms, medical history, and the laboratory method. An isolated result is not a diagnosis.
Test information & references
Precision Analytical (DUTCH)
DUTCH Adrenals Only Panel
- What it measures
- Daily free cortisol and cortisone, associated metabolites, and DHEA-S in dried urine.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A clinician has a defined question about adrenal hormone patterns after reviewing sleep timing and relevant symptoms.
- What ordering involves
- Timed dried urine samples collected with the at-home kit. Use the supplied DUTCH Adrenals Only dried-urine schedule and record collection and sleep times. Review medications and supplements with the ordering clinician.
- Keep in mind
- Daily patterns are affected by timing, medicines, and collection conditions. These tests do not diagnose grief or adrenal fatigue.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
- What it measures
- C-reactive protein, a nonspecific marker of inflammation.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- An inflammatory condition is suspected or an established inflammatory pattern needs monitoring.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Inflammatory results are nonspecific and may change after recent illness or injury. They do not identify the source of inflammation or measure emotional grief.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Sed Rate by Modified Westergren
- What it measures
- The rate at which red blood cells settle, an indirect marker of inflammation.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- The clinical picture calls for an additional nonspecific inflammation marker.
- What ordering involves
- Whole blood from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Inflammatory results are nonspecific and may change after recent illness or injury. They do not identify the source of inflammation or measure emotional grief.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel with Inflammation
- What it measures
- Standard and advanced lipid-related markers plus selected inflammation markers, including ApoB, lipoprotein(a), and high-sensitivity CRP.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A cardiovascular assessment calls for additional lipid and inflammation detail beyond routine testing.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. The current storefront marks this test as requiring fasting. Follow the exact order instructions for duration and other preparation; discuss medication timing with the ordering clinician.
- Keep in mind
- Inflammatory results are nonspecific and may change after recent illness or injury. They do not identify the source of inflammation or measure emotional grief.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Thyroid Panel (FT3, FT4, TSH)
- What it measures
- TSH, free T4, and free T3: the thyroid-regulating signal and circulating thyroid hormones.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Persistent symptoms or prior results justify assessment of thyroid function.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Interpret with the reason for testing, symptoms, medical history, and the laboratory method. An isolated result is not a diagnosis.
Test information & references
3X4 Genetics
3X4 Genetics Test + Blueprint Report
- What it measures
- Inherited genetic variants used to describe selected nutritional, metabolic, and lifestyle-related pathways.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A person wants to discuss inherited tendencies in nutrition and lifestyle with a clinician familiar with genetic interpretation.
- What ordering involves
- Buccal swab collected with the at-home kit. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Inherited risk is probabilistic. Performance varies by condition and the ancestry of the populations used to develop the model; a risk score does not establish disease.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Hemoglobin A1c
- What it measures
- Glycated hemoglobin, reflecting average blood glucose over approximately two to three months.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Longer-term glucose trends would inform metabolic care.
- What ordering involves
- Whole blood from a blood draw. A1c alone does not require fasting; other tests in the same order may.
- Keep in mind
- Anemia, hemoglobin variants, recent blood loss or transfusion, and altered red-cell turnover can affect interpretation. It does not reveal individual meal-related glucose peaks.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
hs-CRP
- What it measures
- Low concentrations of C-reactive protein using a high-sensitivity assay.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Cardiovascular risk assessment would benefit from an additional inflammation marker when acute illness is absent.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Inflammatory results are nonspecific and may change after recent illness or injury. They do not identify the source of inflammation or measure emotional grief. These two high-sensitivity CRP listings are alternatives, not a reason to order duplicate measurements.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Cardio IQ hs-CRP
- What it measures
- Low concentrations of C-reactive protein using a high-sensitivity assay; a separate ordering option within the Cardio IQ range.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Cardiovascular risk assessment calls for high-sensitivity CRP; choose this or the other hs-CRP option rather than ordering both routinely.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Inflammatory results are nonspecific and may change after recent illness or injury. They do not identify the source of inflammation or measure emotional grief. These two high-sensitivity CRP listings are alternatives, not a reason to order duplicate measurements.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Micronutrient, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
- What it measures
- Circulating coenzyme Q10, a compound involved in energy metabolism and antioxidant activity.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A targeted nutritional question makes a circulating CoQ10 measurement relevant.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Circulating CoQ10 is affected by supplementation and lipoproteins. It is not a direct measure of whole-body mitochondrial performance.
Test information & references
SpectraCell
Micronutrient Test
- What it measures
- The response of living white blood cells to different nutrient conditions in a laboratory assay.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A clinician is exploring a nutritional question and can relate the assay to intake, symptoms, and established nutrient testing.
- What ordering involves
- Whole blood collected by a phlebotomist using the supplied kit. Follow the selected laboratory collection and shipping schedule; SpectraCell currently says no fasting is needed for its individual Micronutrient Test.
- Keep in mind
- An ex-vivo cell-response assay is different from a serum nutrient concentration. Use alongside diet, symptoms, and established tests rather than assuming every flagged result requires high-dose supplementation.
Test information & references
Boston Heart Diagnostics
Polygenic Risk Map - Female Complete
- What it measures
- Combinations of inherited variants used to estimate susceptibility to selected conditions.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A genetics-informed prevention conversation includes family history, current biomarkers, the limitations of risk scores, and privacy considerations.
- What ordering involves
- Saliva collected with the at-home kit. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Risk estimates are probabilistic, not diagnoses. The current listing describes comparison with a European reference dataset, so applicability across ancestries needs particular care.
Test information & references
Jona
Jona Clinical Gut Microbiome Analysis Advanced
- What it measures
- Microbial DNA from shotgun metagenomic sequencing together with selected stool chemistry markers.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Persistent digestive concerns warrant a discussion about whether microbial and stool-chemistry information would change care.
- What ordering involves
- Stool collected with the at-home kit. Follow the selected laboratory instructions for collection days, sample handling, and recent antimicrobial or supplement use.
- Keep in mind
- A stool result is a snapshot. Microbial associations do not prove a cause of symptoms or establish one ideal microbiome; individual markers differ in clinical validation.
Test information & references
TruDiagnostic
TruAge + TruHealth
- What it measures
- DNA-methylation-based estimates of biological aging and related health patterns.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- An informed longevity discussion includes exploratory aging estimates alongside established metabolic markers and physical function.
- What ordering involves
- Bloodspot collected with the at-home kit. The current storefront marks this test as requiring fasting. Follow the exact order instructions for duration and other preparation; discuss medication timing with the ordering clinician.
- Keep in mind
- Methylation-derived estimates are not direct measurements of serum nutrients or hormones, a disease diagnosis, or proof of lifespan extension.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Hepatic Function Panel
- What it measures
- Liver-related enzymes, proteins, and bilirubin.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- History, symptoms, medications, or prior findings give a specific reason to assess liver health.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Interpret with the reason for testing, symptoms, medical history, and the laboratory method. An isolated result is not a diagnosis.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Micronutrients, Antioxidants Panel
- What it measures
- Selected antioxidant nutrients: vitamins A, C, E, and coenzyme Q10.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Diet, absorption, or supplementation raises a focused question about selected antioxidant nutrients.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. The current storefront marks this test as requiring fasting. Follow the exact order instructions for duration and other preparation; discuss medication timing with the ordering clinician.
- Keep in mind
- This panel measures vitamins A, C, E, and CoQ10, not collagen, skin appearance, or every antioxidant system.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Heavy Metals Panel (Venous)
- What it measures
- Arsenic, lead, and mercury in venous blood.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- An occupational, household, dietary, or environmental history suggests exposure to one of the measured metals.
- What ordering involves
- Whole blood from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Interpret with the reason for testing, symptoms, medical history, and the laboratory method. An isolated result is not a diagnosis.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Heavy Metals Panel, 24-Hour Urine
- What it measures
- Selected metals excreted in urine over a complete 24-hour collection.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A specific exposure question requires assessment of metal excretion over a full day.
- What ordering involves
- Complete 24-hour urine collection using the laboratory container. Follow the exact start/stop and storage instructions. Incomplete collection affects results; do not add a chelation challenge.
- Keep in mind
- Excretion over one day is not total body burden. Recent exposures and specimen handling matter.
Test information & references
RealTime Labs
Environmental Toxins Panel
- What it measures
- Selected environmental chemical metabolites in a urine specimen.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A relevant exposure history supports a discussion about whether measured urinary chemical metabolites would change practical exposure reduction.
- What ordering involves
- Urine collected with the at-home kit. Use the RealTime Labs urine kit and its current collection, storage, and shipping instructions. Do not substitute blood-collection instructions.
- Keep in mind
- A spot urine finding reflects the substances measured and recent exposure or excretion. It does not establish total body burden, locate the source, or prove the cause of symptoms.
Test information & references
Access Labcorp Draw
Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, Random Urine
- What it measures
- Arsenic, lead, and mercury in a random urine sample.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- The exposure history points toward arsenic, lead, or mercury and the selected specimen fits the clinical question.
- What ordering involves
- Random urine sample collected according to the order instructions. Follow the exact assay instructions and disclose recent seafood intake when arsenic is measured. Do not add a chelation challenge.
- Keep in mind
- Speciation may be needed to distinguish arsenic forms. Concentration and recent exposure affect urine findings; results are not a total toxin burden.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
PFAS (FOREVER CHEM) 9
- What it measures
- Nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and the reported combined concentration.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A credible exposure history makes a PFAS measurement useful for an informed exposure-reduction conversation.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- The result cannot identify the exposure source, attribute symptoms, predict individual disease, or establish a treatment by itself.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Lipid Panel, Standard
- What it measures
- Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and calculated lipid measures.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A baseline or follow-up cardiovascular assessment is needed.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. The current storefront marks this test as requiring fasting. Follow the exact order instructions for duration and other preparation; discuss medication timing with the ordering clinician.
- Keep in mind
- Interpret with the reason for testing, symptoms, medical history, and the laboratory method. An isolated result is not a diagnosis.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel without CO2, ALT
- What it measures
- Selected metabolic, electrolyte, protein, kidney, and liver-related markers. This specific panel omits carbon dioxide and ALT.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A clinician specifically selects this reduced metabolic panel and confirms that omitted markers are not needed for the question.
- What ordering involves
- Serum from a blood draw. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- This is not the same panel as the Women’s Health Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: CO2 and ALT are omitted. Confirm which measurements are needed before ordering.
Test information & references
Precision Point Diagnostics
Comprehensive Thyroid Panel w/ Antibodies
- What it measures
- TSH, free and total T3, free and total T4, plus thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Symptoms, family history, or previous thyroid findings call for both thyroid-function and antibody assessment.
- What ordering involves
- Serum collected by a phlebotomist using the supplied kit. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact order. Fasting and medication timing may change when tests are combined.
- Keep in mind
- Interpret with the reason for testing, symptoms, medical history, and the laboratory method. An isolated result is not a diagnosis.
Test information & references
Quest Diagnostics
Functional Health Panel (Female)
- What it measures
- A broad set of 55 reported biomarkers selected for an assessment of female health; review the current analyte list to avoid duplicate orders.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A wider baseline is clinically justified after reviewing existing results and the risk of unnecessary overlapping tests.
- What ordering involves
- Blood draw; the listing specifies plasma, serum, and whole blood. The current storefront marks this test as requiring fasting. Follow the exact order instructions for duration and other preparation; discuss medication timing with the ordering clinician.
- Keep in mind
- This Quest panel overlaps with individual tests. Review the exact 55-marker list and existing results before ordering; a broad panel can produce incidental findings.
Test information & references
US BioTek
Oral Microbiome Profile
- What it measures
- Selected oral organisms and oral pH using a targeted quantitative PCR profile.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- A dental or medical clinician considers a targeted microbial profile useful alongside oral examination and daily oral-care history.
- What ordering involves
- Oral specimen using the supplied kit; the storefront lists saliva. Confirm the kit method before collection. The storefront lists saliva, while manufacturer instructions describe an oral collection kit. Confirm and follow the supplied kit method and restrictions on recent eating, drinking, and oral products.
- Keep in mind
- A targeted profile is not a complete census of the oral ecosystem. Detection does not independently establish active dental disease or systemic disease causation.
Test information & references
Access Medical Labs
Urinalysis w/ Reflex to Culture
- What it measures
- Urine chemistry and microscopic findings, with culture performed only when the laboratory reflex criteria are met.
- Why it is here · When it may be useful
- Current urinary symptoms require evaluation for infection or another urinary problem.
- What ordering involves
- Urine collected according to the laboratory instructions. Obtain during symptoms when evaluation is needed. Collect before antimicrobial treatment when feasible, without delaying necessary assessment or treatment.
- Keep in mind
- A culture is not automatic for every sample. Reflex criteria, contamination, and recent antimicrobials affect interpretation; persistent symptoms may require reassessment.
Test information & references
Ordering eligibility, availability and collection fees can vary by test and location. Confirm the current listing and your clinician’s instructions before ordering. Laboratory results belong within your history and care; no single result identifies the whole cause of a symptom.
08 / The physician behind the Edit
09 / Related reading & collections
Keep exploring.
Do I need everything in Before the Beginning?
No. These are individual options, not a universal protocol. Review overlapping ingredients and choose only what fits your history and care.
Where do the foundations fit?
They come first. Nourishment, sleep, movement, and relevant daily or environmental factors help determine whether a supplement or test has a useful role.
Can I read the collection without a Fullscript account?
Yes. The educational guide is open to everyone. Fullscript manages current labels, availability, account requirements, and purchases separately.
10 / Research & references
The details behind the Edit.
Research & references
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements · Pregnancy nutrition
- MedlinePlus · Anti-Müllerian hormone testing
- MedlinePlus · Iron tests
- Needed · Egg Quality Support
- Fullscript · Current Egg Quality Support formula
- Metabolic testing
- Blood sugar testing
- Stool analysis
- Hormone profile
- Read the randomized CoQ10 trial
- NIH · Probiotics and strain-specific evidence
Individual preparation references appear with each selection. Traditional uses and laboratory findings are distinguished from human clinical evidence. These educational collections do not establish a physician–patient relationship. Purchases through the Fullscript links may financially support my practice.
Bring all herbs and supplements to your fertility clinician, especially during assisted reproduction or once pregnancy is possible. A collection cannot reverse age-related chromosome changes or guarantee conception. A preconception plan should change as your circumstances change.
The Foundations · My gift to you
Return to the ground
your body knows.
Before protocols. Before supplements. Begin with water, nourishment, breath, and the everyday environment that supports your health.
Start My Free Foundations Course