Are you waking up tired after 8 hours of sleep? Struggling with brain fog, weight gain, or afternoon crashes but your doctor says your labs are "normal"?

In this episode of Stronger Than Autoimmune: From Boardroom to Breakroom Edition, I explain why "normal" lab results don't always mean you're functioning optimally especially if you have (or suspect) an autoimmune condition like Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Using the "iPhone analogy," I break down the critical difference between reference ranges (what labs use) and optimal ranges (what functional medicine practitioners track)and why this gap leaves millions feeling dismissed and stuck.

🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

✅ The difference between reference range vs. optimal range (3:30)

✅ Why TSH alone doesn't tell the whole thyroid story (5:15)

✅ Complete thyroid panel: What to request from your doctor (6:45)

✅ How to advocate for comprehensive testing—even with an existing diagnosis (7:30)

✅ The workplace impact: Why "medicated but not optimized" affects performance (9:00)

✅ Actionable steps for individuals AND HR leaders (11:00)

📊 KEY STATS MENTIONED:

- 78% of full-time workers with autoimmune disease report job performance decline

- Employees with chronic conditions account for 85% of employer healthcare costs

- Presenteeism (showing up sick) costs 2-3X more than absenteeism

- Early optimization reduces long-term disability claims by 25% (CDC)

🔬 COMPLETE THYROID PANEL INCLUDES:

1. TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

2. Free T4 (storage form)

3. Free T3 (active form)

4. Reverse T3 (blocks T3 function)

5. TPO Antibodies (Hashimoto's indicator)

6. TG Antibodies (autoimmune marker)

💡 OPTIMAL VS. REFERENCE RANGES:

- TSH Reference Range: 0.5-5.0 mIU/L

- TSH Optimal Range: 0.5-2.0 mIU/L

(This 3-point difference can mean exhaustion vs. energy!)

👩‍💼 FOR HR LEADERS & EXECUTIVES:

Discover why supporting employees to reach "optimal range" (not just "medicated and managed") reduces turnover, improves productivity, and protects your bottom line.

🎙️ ABOUT THIS PODCAST:

Stronger Than Autoimmune bridges personal healing and workplace wellbeing—guiding career-driven women with autoimmune disease AND forward-thinking companies to create energy-efficient, inclusive environments where everyone thrives.

Host: Desiree Werland, NBC-HWC, ADAPT-Certified Functional Health Coach, Autoimmune Paleo Coach, and Corporate Autoimmune Health Consultant

📍 Based in San Antonio, Texas

🌐 Website: DesireeWerland.com

📧 Contact: hello@desireewerland.com

📱 Instagram/LinkedIn: @DesireeWerland

🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

- CDC Workplace Health Research

- American Thyroid Association Guidelines

- National Institute of Health Autoimmune Disease Stats

💬 WHAT TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR (Script Provided at 7:30):

For diagnosis-seekers: "I'd like to request a complete thyroid panel, including Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, TPO antibodies, and TG antibodies..."

For those already diagnosed: "I appreciate that my TSH is in range, but I'm still experiencing [symptoms]. I'd like to see if there's room for optimization..."

🎧 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE:

New episodes every [frequency] exploring autoimmune health, workplace wellness, and thriving with chronic conditions.

📢 SHARE THIS EPISODE if you know someone who's been told they're "fine" but doesn't feel fine or an HR leader committed to supporting invisible illness in the workplace.

#AutoimmuneHealth #ThyroidHealth #Hashimotos #OptimalHealth #FunctionalMedicine #ChronicIllness #WorkplaceWellness #HRLeadership #EmployeeHealth #InvisibleIllness #HealthAdvocacy #WomensHealth #EnergyOptimization #BrainFog #ChronicFatigue