Vitamins can be amazing for your health—but they can also be harmful if taken without proper knowledge. Many people take vitamins because they’re trending, a celebrity swears by them, or they’re advertised as a quick fix for energy and overall well-being. But blindly taking supplements without understanding what your body truly needs can lead to imbalances, worsening symptoms, or even toxicity.
If you’re feeling fatigued, sluggish, or unwell, the first step isn’t to grab a bottle of vitamins—it’s to find out why you feel that way. The real issue could be something more serious that requires medical attention, not just a supplement.
Why Testing Matters: Don’t Guess, Get Blood Work
Vitamins should be taken for a reason—whether it's a diagnosed deficiency, an inability to get enough from your diet, or a specific health condition. The best way to determine what your body actually needs is through regular blood work.
For me, I only take the vitamins and supplements that my body actually needs, based on testing. Here’s my journey and why I believe getting tested is one of the best things you can do for your health.
My Story: How Blood Work Transformed My Health
I’ve been researching and using vitamins since my early 20s, but it wasn’t until I turned 40 that I started getting my blood work done every three months. My gynecologist, who specializes in hormones, checks my levels of vitamins, minerals, stress markers, and more.
Why every three months? Because our bodies and hormones are constantly changing—daily, weekly, and seasonally. What I need in summer may differ from winter. Getting tested ensures I’m taking the right dosages instead of guessing. I wish I had started sooner. Here’s what I’ve learned through my testing:
1. Testosterone – The First Clue Something Was Off
I initially sought medical advice because I felt off. My drive was low—not just sexually, but in everyday life. I wasn’t as excited about work, dressing up, or even working out. I just felt... dull.
My doctor ran tests and found that my testosterone levels were at zero. No wonder I felt like a different person!
She prescribed a testosterone cream, and almost immediately, I felt like myself again. My energy, confidence, and motivation returned. The impact was huge.
Later, when I started feeling tired again, my doctor knew the symptoms weren’t testosterone-related this time. Instead, she suspected something else—my thyroid.
2. Thyroid – The Silent Energy Killer
Further testing revealed I had low thyroid function. Since thyroid disorders run in my family (my grandmother had Grave’s disease), it was crucial to catch this early.
Before treatment, I was constantly tired and even started taking naps—something I never used to do. Once I began taking thyroid medication, my energy returned, and I’ve been stable ever since.
Catching it early prevented future complications. Without testing, I might have blamed my fatigue on stress or aging and never treated the root cause.
3. Vitamin B12 Deficiency – A Common, Overlooked Issue
Another surprise from my blood work? Low Vitamin B12. I never would have known without testing, yet a B12 deficiency can cause:
Chronic fatigue
Brain fog
Weakness
Mood changes
Instead of pills, I get B12 shots, which are much more effective. I started with weekly shots, then every two weeks, and now I get them monthly. The difference in my energy has been incredible.
4. Vitamin A Deficiency – A Lifelong Impact on Vision
This one hit me hard—if I had known about my Vitamin A deficiency earlier, I might have had better vision growing up.
I get my eyes tested yearly and I also see a retina specialist to monitor early-onset macular degeneration, which runs in my family.
Taking the right vitamins has helped with my dry eye condition, something I struggle with time to time. Again, I never would have known if I hadn’t gotten tested.
5. Vitamin D – More Important Than You Think
Even though I live in sunny California and travel often, my Vitamin D levels were low. Why? Because I don’t spend enough time outside without sunscreen, and I work from home.
Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. Since starting supplementation, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my energy and overall well-being.
6. Hormone Levels – Keeping Everything in Balance
My doctor also tracks my hormone levels regularly. When I stopped birth control, she was concerned my estrogen levels might take a while to return to normal—but luckily, they bounced back quickly.
By monitoring my hormones, I’ll also know when menopause is approaching and can decide how to handle that phase of life when the time comes.
The Lesson: Listen to Your Body,
But Don’t Self-Diagnose
If something feels off, your body is trying to tell you something. But popping random vitamins isn’t the answer.
Here’s what I’ve learned from my journey:
Symptoms are clues, not problems to mask. Fatigue, low energy, or mood swings might not be fixed by vitamins alone—you might need medical treatment.
Blood work is the key to understanding your health. Guessing can lead to deficiencies, overdoses, or treating the wrong issue.
Taking unnecessary vitamins can cause harm. Just because something is marketed as "healthy" doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
Be Informed About What You Put in Your Body
Vitamins can be life-changing when taken correctly, but they’re not a magic fix. Always consult a doctor, get blood work done, and listen to what your body actually needs. I’m so glad I took control of my health instead of blindly taking supplements. I hope my story helps you make more informed choices for your body, too.