Tag Archives: #GutHealth

The Truth About ‘Normal’ Lab Results—and Why You Still Feel Off

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

Many patients feel frustrated and confused after being told by their healthcare providers that their lab results are “normal,” yet they continue to struggle with symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, digestive problems, or unexplained pain. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and it doesn’t mean your concerns are invalid.

So, what does “normal” really mean in lab testing? Conventional labs use broad reference ranges that cover a large portion of the population, primarily designed to detect overt disease or significant abnormalities. These ranges often miss subtle but important imbalances that can impact your daily health and well-being.

Functional medicine, on the other hand, focuses on “optimal” ranges—narrower parameters aimed at identifying early signs of dysfunction before full-blown disease develops. For example, your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) may fall within the conventional normal range but be high enough to cause fatigue, weight gain, or mood changes. Similarly, inflammation markers or vitamin levels can be technically “normal” but not ideal for your body’s optimal function.

When lab tests don’t explain your symptoms, it’s a signal to explore further. Functional medicine utilizes specialized testing beyond standard panels, such as comprehensive hormone profiles, gut microbiome analysis, nutrient and mineral panels, and advanced inflammatory markers. These tests provide a more complete picture of what’s really going on inside your body.

Understanding these nuances empowers you to make informed decisions about your health and work toward true root-cause healing rather than just masking symptoms.

If you’ve been told your labs are “normal” but you still don’t feel like yourself, a Functional Health Consultation can help. We’ll review your test results in detail, discuss your symptoms, and design a personalized plan that supports your body’s unique needs and promotes lasting wellness.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00
Click here to book your session

Contact:
Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant
Serving Orlando and Central Florida
407-760-1662 | rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
www.jrmnurseconsultants.com

When Workers’ Comp Closes Your Case, But You’re Not Better

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

Many injured workers face a frustrating reality: after months or even years of treatment, their workers’ compensation case is closed, yet the pain, fatigue, and functional limitations remain. The system has its limits, often focusing on acute injury care and symptom management—but what happens when you’re left with ongoing issues that don’t fit neatly into traditional protocols?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and there is another way forward.

Why Does Workers’ Comp Close Cases Before Full Healing?
Workers’ compensation programs typically aim to resolve claims efficiently, returning employees to work as soon as possible or declaring them at Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). However, MMI does not always mean you feel fully healed or ready to resume your full quality of life. Often, the system’s focus is on visible, structural injuries and symptom control rather than addressing deeper, complex healing needs.

Many injured workers who experience lingering pain, brain fog, emotional stress, or hormonal imbalances find themselves without a clear treatment plan once their case closes. This gap can lead to frustration, hopelessness, and even worsening symptoms.

How Functional Medicine Supports You When the System Stops
Functional Medicine offers a comprehensive, personalized approach that goes beyond symptom suppression. We look at the whole person—body, mind, and environment—to uncover hidden imbalances and barriers to recovery that traditional care might miss.

For injured workers, this means:

  • Identifying chronic inflammation that delays healing
  • Addressing hormonal disruptions caused by prolonged stress
  • Supporting nervous system recovery after trauma
  • Healing gut health to improve nutrient absorption and reduce pain
  • Managing emotional and psychological stressors that impede progress

This approach empowers you to take control of your recovery, restoring function and improving your quality of life even after your workers’ comp case is officially closed.

Your Next Natural Step: Functional Recovery Consultation
If your workers’ compensation case has ended but you still struggle with pain, fatigue, or limitations, scheduling a Functional Recovery Consultation with me is the next step. Together, we will develop a tailored plan that supports your body’s innate ability to heal, addressing root causes and helping you regain vitality.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00
Click here to book your session

Contact Information
Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant
Serving Orlando and surrounding areas
Phone: 407-760-1662
Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
Website: jrmnurseconsultants.com

Hormones, Healing, and Hidden Imbalances

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

Many women expect some pain and discomfort after an injury—whether from a car accident, a fall, or even an emotionally traumatic event. But what most don’t expect is how long that pain and fatigue can linger. It’s frustrating when you’re doing “everything right”—attending physical therapy, following up with doctors, taking medications as prescribed—yet you still feel exhausted, moody, and unlike yourself.

You may find yourself thinking:

  • “Why am I so tired all the time?”
  • “Why do I feel depressed or anxious when I never used to?”
  • “Why can’t I sleep through the night anymore?”
  • “Why does my weight keep creeping up, even though I haven’t changed my diet?”

These questions are valid. And you’re not imagining things.

The truth is, injury recovery is about more than healing bones, muscles, or tissues. There is often a hidden layer of disruption that traditional medicine doesn’t always address: hormonal imbalance.

How Injuries Trigger Hormonal Disruption

When you experience trauma—whether physical or emotional—your body activates its internal alarm system, also known as the stress response. This process, regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, signals your adrenal glands to produce cortisol and other stress hormones.

Initially, this is a helpful and protective mechanism. But when stress becomes chronic—such as when you’re in ongoing pain, dealing with disrupted sleep, or experiencing financial or emotional stress after an injury—it can throw your hormonal system completely out of balance.

Over time, this can lead to:

  • Adrenal fatigue (feeling wired but tired, or just completely drained)
  • Thyroid dysfunction (which affects metabolism, energy, and mood)
  • Imbalances in estrogen and progesterone (leading to mood swings, irregular periods, or worsened PMS)
  • Blood sugar instability
  • Slowed tissue repair and inflammation that won’t resolve

Unfortunately, many of these issues don’t show up clearly on standard labs. You may be told that everything is “normal,” but you still don’t feel right. That’s where functional medicine can offer real answers.

Why Women Are Especially Affected

Women’s hormonal systems are incredibly intricate and sensitive to stress. After an injury, even subtle changes in sleep, inflammation, or nutrient depletion can create a cascade effect—disrupting everything from your monthly cycle to your ability to think clearly and manage your emotions.

If you’re also a caregiver, a professional, or simply trying to get back to your routine, the pressure to “push through” can further delay recovery. Many women feel guilty for slowing down or seeking help—so they suffer in silence while their bodies quietly burn out.

The good news? You don’t have to.

Functional Support for Hormone Health and Recovery

At JRM Nurse Consultants, we take a different approach. We start by listening to your story—how the injury happened, what you’ve experienced since, and how your symptoms are impacting your life. Then, using advanced functional lab testing and clinical assessments, we help you uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.

We explore key areas like:

  • Adrenal function and cortisol patterns
  • Thyroid health (not just TSH, but full thyroid panels)
  • Female hormone balance
  • Inflammatory markers
  • Nutrient levels and gut health
  • Sleep and nervous system recovery

You’ll receive a personalized recovery roadmap that doesn’t just treat symptoms—it restores balance.

It’s Time to Feel Like Yourself Again

If you’re tired of being told “everything looks fine” when you know something is off, trust your instincts. Your symptoms are messages. And healing is possible—especially when we address the root causes and support the body’s natural ability to rebalance.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00

Once you are ready for the next step after the initial consult, it will allow us to review your health history, current concerns, and determine the best path forward for healing. This is not just another appointment—it’s a starting point for real answers and individualized care.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00
Click here to book your session

Contact:
Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
Phone: 407-760-1662
Fax: 727-279-2103
Website: https://jrmnurseconsultants.com

The Hidden Reasons Injured Workers Don’t Fully Recover

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

If you’ve ever heard an injured worker say, “The doctor cleared me, but I’m still in pain,” you’re not alone. In fact, this is one of the most common frustrations I hear in my practice. Despite surgeries, physical therapy, and even medications, many individuals never return to how they felt before the injury. Why? Because traditional care often stops at the surface, and that’s where Functional Medicine steps in.

As a Functional Medicine Nurse and Case Manager, I’ve worked with countless injured workers who were told their injury had healed, yet they still couldn’t sleep, concentrate, or move without pain. When we looked deeper, we found the real reasons behind their lingering symptoms:

  1. Chronic Inflammation That Was Never Addressed
    Injuries trigger inflammation—your body’s natural defense system. But when inflammation becomes chronic due to poor diet, stress, or gut dysfunction, it delays tissue repair and amplifies pain. While medication can dull the symptoms, it doesn’t correct the cause. Functional Medicine looks at what you’re eating, how your gut is functioning, and whether you’re getting the nutrients needed for recovery.
  2. Hormonal Imbalances from Stress and Trauma
    An accident—especially one that involves surgery or disability—can be a traumatic event. It sends stress signals to the brain and disrupts your body’s natural hormone cycles. Elevated cortisol levels can cause fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and even weight gain. Functional lab testing helps us detect adrenal dysfunction and hormone imbalances that traditional providers often overlook.
  3. Underlying Gut Dysfunction
    Pain meds, antibiotics, and stress can wreak havoc on the gut lining. This leads to leaky gut, poor nutrient absorption, and immune imbalances—all of which delay healing. A compromised gut also impacts brain function and mood, which many injured workers struggle with silently. In Functional Medicine, we focus on rebuilding the gut so that the whole body can function better.
  4. Nervous System Dysregulation After Trauma
    The body stores trauma—not just physically, but neurologically. Even if your X-rays or MRIs are clear, your nervous system may still be in a state of fight-or-flight. This leads to ongoing tension, poor sleep, and heightened pain sensitivity. Through nervous system support and targeted calming protocols, we help clients reset the healing response.
  5. Lack of a Personalized Recovery Plan
    Cookie-cutter advice like “rest and take this pill” doesn’t work for complex recoveries. Every injured worker has a unique health history, lifestyle, and set of challenges. Functional Medicine offers a personalized, whole-person plan to help the body heal from the inside out. This includes nutrition, lifestyle, stress management, supplementation, and coaching.

You Don’t Have to Settle for “Living With It”
If you or a loved one has been told you’re fine—but you still feel broken—there is hope. We help injured workers uncover the real reasons they aren’t healing and walk with them toward lasting recovery.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00
Click here to book your session

Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant
Serving Orlando and surrounding areas
407-760-1662 | rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
jrmnurseconsultants.com

The Gut-Brain Connection: How Healing Your Gut Can Lift the Fog

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

Do you ever feel like you’re living in a fog? Trouble focusing, frequent mood swings, low energy, anxiety—or just feeling “off”? You’re not imagining it. And you’re definitely not alone.

As a Functional Health Nurse, I work with individuals every week who’ve been told their symptoms are “just stress” or “all in their head.” But in many cases, those vague but frustrating symptoms are actually connected to something deeper: your gut health.

What Does Your Gut Have to Do with Your Brain?

It turns out, a lot.
Your gut and brain are in constant communication via the gut-brain axis—a powerful two-way highway that links your enteric nervous system (in the gut) with your central nervous system (in the brain).

Think of your gut as your body’s second brain. It houses over 100 million nerve cells and is home to trillions of microbes that influence not only digestion but also mood, memory, focus, and behavior.

When your gut is healthy and balanced, neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA flow more easily—helping you feel calmer, clearer, and more emotionally stable. In fact, about 90% of your body’s serotonin is produced in the gut!

When the Gut-Brain Connection Gets Disrupted

Here’s where things can go off track.
When your gut microbiome becomes imbalanced—due to factors like:

  • Processed food or sugar-heavy diets
  • Frequent antibiotic use
  • Chronic stress or trauma
  • Environmental toxins
  • Food sensitivities

… it can lead to leaky gut, inflammation, poor nutrient absorption, and an overloaded immune system. And that often translates into:

  • Brain fog
  • Mood swings or irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Trouble concentrating

You might feel like your brain is “glitching” or that your emotions are on a rollercoaster—but really, your gut is sending distress signals.

The Good News: Your Body Wants to Heal

The best part? Your gut is resilient.
When we start working to heal the gut, many clients are amazed at how quickly their brain fog lifts, energy returns, and mood becomes more balanced. Even small steps like:

  • Adding probiotic-rich foods (fermented veggies, kefir, yogurt)
  • Reducing sugar and processed foods
  • Getting better sleep
  • Managing stress with calming techniques
  • Taking targeted supplements or healing herbs

… can help restore harmony between your brain and your belly.

How I Can Help

If you’re tired of feeling off and ready to uncover the root cause of your symptoms, I invite you to schedule a Functional Health Session with me.
We’ll take a personalized, whole-person approach—looking at your lifestyle, labs, nutrition, gut health, hormones, and emotional stressors—to design a plan that helps you finally feel like yourself again.

🩺 Initial Discovery Session: just $25
👉 Click here to book now

Let’s listen to what your gut has been trying to tell you—and start your healing journey from the inside out.

Dr. Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant
📍 Serving Central Florida & Nationwide (Virtual Options Available)
📞 407-760-1662
📧 rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
🔗 www.jrmnurseconsultants.com