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What Women Should Test When Bloodwork Says “Normal” but They Still Feel Off | Dr. Tiffany Lester
Description
Dr. Tiffany Lester, is a board-certified integrative medicine physician and Women’s Health Medical Director at Function Health, breaks down what standard labs miss in women. From “normal” ferritin that isn’t optimal to hidden thyroid antibodies and lab ranges built for men.
WHAT WE EXPLORE:
* Top biomarkers for women: ferritin, fasting insulin, thyroid
* Low ferritin in active women and optimal levels
* Full thyroid panel and TPO antibodies explained
* Leptin resistance and perimenopause weight gain
* Why lab reference ranges aren’t built for women
* Perimenopause heart health: ApoB, Lp(a), and CAC scans
* How chronic stress and trauma affect biomarkers
Timestamps
* 00:00 Normal Labs, Still Feel Off?
* 07:35 Ferritin of 15 Isn’t Normal
* 15:55 Leptin and Perimenopause Weight Gain
* 24:50 Why Autoimmune Hits Women Harder
* 29:56 ApoB, CAC, and DEXA Explained
* 37:36 Which Biomarkers to Retest
* 43:46 How Stress and Trauma Affect Biomarkers
About Dr. Tiffany Lester:
Dr. Tiffany Lester, an integrative medicine physician and founder of Minimalist Medicine, turns biomarker data into personalized plans for women. She specializes in autoimmune conditions, hormones, gut health, and trauma, and makes sure women never feel dismissed.
Connect with Dr. Tiffany Lester:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtiffanylester
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanylester
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ABOUT THE PROOF OF PRACTICE
The Proof of Practice: Where Science Meets Practice
Women have been understudied, undertreated, and given advice built for men. This show exists to change that.
Hosted by five of the most respected names in women’s health — Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan, Amber Taylor, Gabby Reece, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, and Dr. Stacy Sims — every episode brings evidence-based, experience-backed conversations on strength, metabolism, hormones, longevity, and performance. No trends. No shortcuts. Just the proof that practice works.
YOUR HOSTS
Gabby Reece
One of the most iconic athletes in American sports history, Gabby Reece is a former professional beach volleyball player, Nike’s first female spokesperson, New York Times bestselling author, and lifelong advocate for how women should train, eat, and live. She co-founded the Hamilton House Experience wellness program with her husband Laird Hamilton and hosts The Reecet women’s wellness retreat. Gabby brings decades of real-world performance experience to every conversation.
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabbyreece
🌐 http://gabbyreece.com
Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan, PhD, CSCS*D, FACSM, FNSCA
Professor of Exercise Physiology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Director of the Applied Physiology Laboratory, Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan has published over 190 peer-reviewed manuscripts and is one of the leading researchers in female physiology, metabolism, and sports nutrition. A three-time NSCA award winner — including Outstanding Sports Scientist of the Year (2022) — she translates cutting-edge lab science into practical strategies that actually work for women across every life stage.
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asmithryan
🌐 http://asmithryan.com
Amber Taylor
Amber Taylor is a New Zealand–based digital health and product leader who builds evidence‑based fitness platforms designed to better support women’s physiology, safety, and long‑term wellbeing. Drawing