From Fatigue to Freedom: The Tests You Need After Cancer Treatment

If you’ve recently finished or are near finishing your treatment, let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked: fatigue. Many survivors find themselves battling this overwhelming tiredness, but here’s the truth—it doesn’t have to be your new normal.

While your healthcare team is focused on monitoring for cancer recurrence, they might not be addressing the other factors that contribute to your fatigue. If you’ve been feeling drained, it’s time to dig deeper.

Let’s explore how in-depth testing can be a game changer, allowing you to reclaim your energy and get back to living life fully!

The Real Deal on Post-Cancer Fatigue

Fatigue after cancer treatment is a common struggle, and it’s more than just being tired; it can impact your mood, motivation, and even relationships. It’s essential to recognize that not everything can—and should—be blamed on cancer itself. It’s time to consider what else might be going on in your body.

You may feel like you’re doing everything you can to feel better and keep cancer from coming back, but when you turn to nutrition and supplement information, it can feel so confusing! You’re not alone in this. I hear daily from women who are trying to take control of their future but are overwhelmed by conflicting advice. Then they turned to their oncologist, who just says...

“Oh, it doesn’t matter. Just eat well and exercise.”

“No, don’t take that supplement. It might interfere.”

“We just don’t know, so it’s best to do nothing.”

Ugh! Nothing frustrates me more than seeing burnt-out healthcare practitioners with horse blinders on, jaded by the natural health industry. They often stop seeking the latest information and tell everyone to avoid making beneficial changes. It’s disheartening!

And instead of digging deep into helping women to understand how to get more energy faster and to heal their body and keep cancer form coming back, they say, "just wait - it'll get better in time." But I've seen women come to me years later with fatigue that started with a cancer diagnosis, and they're still struggling daily.

There are so many things that can contribute to fatigue, from nutrient deficiency, mitochondrial damage, sleep problems, hormone imbalance, immune fluctuations and more. In this post, I'm going to hyper focus in on gathering your blood work data as is needed to resolve fatigue.

What Testing Matters?

You might be asking yourself, “What kind of tests should I consider?” Great question! Here are some essential blood tests that can help you understand what’s happening in your body. This information is crucial for addressing fatigue and optimizing your overall health.

1. C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

C-Reactive Protein is released by your liver in response to inflammation. If you’re inflamed, all your energy resources are being diverted to combat this issue, leaving you feeling wiped out.

• Reference Range:<5.0 mg/L

• Optimal Range:<2.0 mg/L

If your CRP levels are high, focusing on reducing inflammation through dietary changes and lifestyle adjustments could be your ticket to feeling more energized!

2. Vitamin B12

Low levels of vitamin B12 can significantly impact your energy because it plays a crucial role in red blood cell production—those little guys are responsible for carrying oxygen to your organs and tissues. Without enough oxygen, fatigue is inevitable.

• Reference Range:200-900 pg/mL

• Ideal Range:400-600 pg/mL

Boost your B12 intake with foods like fish, meat, eggs, and fortified cereals, or discuss supplementation options with your healthcare provider.

3. Ferritin

Ferritin is your body’s iron storage protein, and its levels can tell you a lot about your iron status. Low ferritin can lead to fatigue due to inadequate oxygen delivery to your tissues, while high ferritin levels may indicate inflammation.

• Reference Range:15-272 µg/L

• Optimal Range:50-80 µg/L

Getting your ferritin levels checked can give you crucial insights into your energy status!

4. Vitamin D

Low vitamin D levels have been linked to fatigue, low mood, and increased cancer risk. Ensuring you have adequate vitamin D is key for overall health and energy.

• Reference Range:75-250 nmol/L (30-50 ng/mL)

• Optimal Range:125-150 nmol/L (70-120 ng/mL)

Think about getting some sun exposure or incorporating vitamin D-rich foods into your diet. If you find your levels are low, don’t hesitate to ask about supplements.

5. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Free T4

Did you know your thyroid function could be affected by cancer treatment? It’s true! Your healthcare team might be so focused on cancer that they forget to check for thyroid issues that could be contributing to your fatigue.

• Optimal TSH:2.0-2.7 mIU/L

• Optimal Free T4:15-23 pmol/L

If you suspect thyroid problems, this test is crucial for getting your energy back on track!

6. Fasting Glucose and Insulin

Lastly, testing fasting glucose and insulin levels can reveal a lot about your body’s energy production. If your body struggles with glucose and insulin management, it can lead to fatigue and inflammation.

Optimal HOMA-IR:0.5-1.4

Early Insulin Resistance:1.5-1.9

Severe Insulin Resistance:>1.9

Understanding these numbers can help you make better dietary choices to support your energy levels!

Bonus Info - How To Get The Blood Work

As an online clinic with clients worldwide, we have a few ways to help them to get the blood work done.

If you want to skip to the chase and pay out of pocket (usually covered by HSA and FSA), many private labs, such as Quest and LabCorps don't require a doctor's requisition. You can order what you want online and book an appointment at the lab. Show up, get your blood drawn, and the results are sent to you within a few days to a few weeks.

If you want to see if some of the costs can be covered by your health insurance, go to your GP or PCP, not oncologist, to request the blood work. We typically send our clients to their GP/PCP with a letter from us with the list of blood work we require based on their intake process. Your oncologist is focused on cancer, and dealing with nutrient deficiencies or blood sugar/cholesterol/inflammation problems is not a good use of their time. Your GP/PCP is responsible for your general health. Get what you can ordered from your GP/PCP, and get the rest at the private lab.

Lastly, some of our clients have a functional doctor who can also help them get the blood work done. We'll send them with a list of required blood work and a letter to their functional doctor.

Creating a Clear Path Forward

When your energy is restored, your life changes. You have more patience for your loved ones, you can begin a cancer-preventing exercise plan, you leave the job you hate and apply for the job you really want, and you begin eating the salad instead of gorging on the fried chicken because it makes you happy when you're drained.

Navigating fatigue after cancer treatment doesn’t have to be a lonely road. By advocating for yourself and seeking out the necessary tests, you can uncover the root causes of your fatigue and reclaim your energy. Remember, knowledge is power, and the right data can help you make informed choices to enhance your quality of life.

You’re not just surviving; you’re thriving, and I’m here to help you every step of the way.

If you’re struggling with fatigue and understanding your best steps to reducing the risk of cancer coming back, it’s best to work with a health professional who can analyze your data for you and combine it with the research and their clinical experience.

At Flourish After Cancer, we focus on uncovering your unique data—your symptoms, health history, treatment history, taste preferences, and more—while combining it with research and our clinical experience. This helps us create a clear plan to reduce your risk of recurrence and optimize your overall health.

If you are at all interested in seeking support so you no longer have to question everything you do, eat, or read, let’s chat!

Book a free Roadmap Call with us. On this call, we want to hear more about your health, your goals, and anything you may have tried or struggled with. If it sounds like something we can change for you, we’ll walk you through what working with us would look like.

Visit www.FlourishAfterCancer.com/LearnMore to book a call. We look forward to meeting you!