The Hidden Metabolic Crisis Your Clients Are Facing
You’ve seen this client before. Maybe you’re even seeing them this week.
They walk into your session exhausted, carrying an extra 20 pounds they can’t lose. Poor sleep. Brain fog. Feeling like their body has turned against them. Their last doctor visit came back “normal” on all the standard blood work, so they got the usual advice: reduce stress, exercise more, maybe try therapy.
But here’s what nobody tested: cortisol pattern throughout the day. Insulin response after meals. Immune function. Circadian rhythm markers. The interconnected systems that actually explain why they feel terrible.
FDN built our entire program around one principle: Test, Don’t Guess.
In this article, we’ll walk you through a real case study from our Lab and Learn series that shows why functional lab testing changes everything for health practitioners who want to deliver consistent, transformational results. You’ll discover how one comprehensive test panel can reveal the underlying causes behind your client’s symptoms and give you a clear roadmap for healing protocols.
The Problem With Standard Health Assessments
Most health coaches are working blind. They gather symptoms, make educated guesses based on what worked for other clients, and hope their recommendations land. When results are inconsistent, they blame the client’s compliance or assume they need more training.
The real issue? They’re missing data.
Standard medical blood work is designed to catch disease, not dysfunction. By the time your client’s fasting glucose shows up as “high” on a conventional lab panel, they’ve likely been experiencing insulin resistance for years. Their cells have been struggling to uptake glucose. Their cortisol has been working against their insulin function. Their immune system has taken hits from chronic stress.
But none of that shows up until it crosses into the disease threshold.
Functional lab testing creates a completely different playing field. You’re not waiting for disease. You’re identifying subclinical patterns that explain current symptoms and predict future problems. You’re giving your clients hard data that motivates them to make changes before they’re facing a diagnosis.
As Reed Davis, founder of FDN, puts it: “This kind of testing is subclinical. It allows us to use it for anti-aging and longevity as well as getting to the heart of a condition and getting a person to turn their health around.”
Why The Stress and Hormone Profile Changes the Game
The Stress and Hormone Profile is one of the five core functional tests you’ll master during FDN certification. It started as a way to assess adrenal function through cortisol and DHEA ratios, but over the years it evolved into something far more comprehensive. Why? Because we kept asking the same question: What else do practitioners need to see to get a complete picture?
The answer became clear. You can’t look at stress hormones in isolation. They’re interconnected with sex hormones, immune function, circadian rhythms, and metabolic health. A complete assessment needed to capture all of these systems at once.
During your FDN training, you’ll learn to interpret the standard Stress and Hormone Profile, which includes:
- Four-point cortisol curve shows your client’s stress response pattern throughout the day, not just a single snapshot
- DHEA levels reveal whether your client is in a catabolic (breaking down) or anabolic (building up) state
- Sex hormones demonstrate how chronic stress is impacting testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone
- Melatonin indicates circadian rhythm function and antioxidant capacity
- Secretory IgA measures mucosal immune function in the intestines and other mucosal surfaces
This isn’t five separate tests. It’s one panel using saliva samples that captures five interconnected systems.
As a practicing FDN graduate with access to our Medical Director Program, you can also order an enhanced version of this test that includes optional fasting and non-fasting insulin markers – the newest addition that ties metabolic health directly into the complete hormone picture. This advanced option is what we’ll explore in the case study below, showing how insulin testing completes the metabolic story.
The Cortisol-Insulin Connection Nobody’s Teaching
Here’s the metabolic mechanism most health coaches never learn: cortisol is insulin’s antagonist.
When your client experiences acute stress, their body responds appropriately. Cortisol rises, signals the liver to produce glucose, and shunts that energy to the muscles for fight or flight. This is a survival advantage. Once the stressor passes, hormone levels normalize and everything resets.
But what happens with chronic stress?
Dr. Aaron Gonshor, FDNs Chief Scientific Officer, explains the cascade: “With chronic stress, you are tapping the proteins, you are getting the liver to produce glucose. The adrenals are hyper-secreting cortisol because the stress doesn’t stop.”
This creates a vicious cycle:
- Elevated cortisol continuously increases blood glucose production in the liver
- High cortisol suppresses adiponectin, a hormone that normally increases insulin sensitivity
- Cortisol inhibits insulin from allowing glucose to enter cells
- Cells become insulin resistant while blood glucose stays high
- The pancreas sees high glucose and continues pumping out insulin
- You end up with both high blood sugar AND high insulin in the blood
This is pre-diabetes developing in real time. And it won’t show up on standard blood work until your client has crossed into diagnosable disease.
But on the Advanced Stress and Hormone Profile, you’ll see the pattern developing. You’ll catch the elevated cortisol throughout the day. You’ll spot the rising fasting insulin. You’ll notice the elevated non-fasting insulin after a carbohydrate challenge. And you’ll have the data to intervene before your client is facing a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
The Science Behind Saliva Testing (And Why It Works)
Some practitioners hesitate when they first hear about saliva testing. They’ve been trained that blood work is the gold standard. But the research tells a different story.
Multiple studies have demonstrated a linear correlation between glucose levels in blood and saliva. While salivary insulin concentrations are about 10 times lower than serum levels, they’re equally accurate for assessing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk.
Saliva testing offers several advantages:
Non-invasive collection. No blood draws, no lab visits, no scheduling hassles. Your client collects samples at home at specific times throughout the day.
Accurate correlation with serum. Research by Zhang et al confirmed that “saliva can be an alternative non-invasive diagnostic method for testing for diabetes.”
Four-point assessment. Unlike a single fasting blood draw, you’re seeing how your client’s hormones fluctuate across their waking hours. This reveals patterns that single-point testing misses.
International shipping. Fluids IQ, the lab partner FDN uses, ships worldwide. This means you can serve clients globally without worrying about finding local lab facilities.
Subclinical detection. You’re catching dysfunction before it becomes disease. Prevention and optimization happen here, at the subclinical level.
Reed Davis emphasizes this point: “I love this kind of testing because it’s subclinical. That allows us to use it for anti-aging and longevity as well as getting to the heart of a condition.”
Real Case Study: How One Test Revealed Everything
Let’s look at “John,” a case study Dr. Gonshor presented in the recent Lab and Learn session. John is a 40-year-old construction worker who came to his FDN Practitioner with a growing list of concerns:
His symptoms: Extreme fatigue that wasn’t improving with rest. Trouble sleeping, which was unusual for him. Weight gain leading to obesity with a BMI of 28. High blood pressure and high cholesterol on recent blood work. Darkening skin patches on his neck called acanthosis nigricans. New GI problems that just started.
His doctor’s assessment: “You have signs of insulin resistance. Lose weight.”
Not exactly a helpful protocol.
But when John’s FDN Practitioner ran the advanced version of the Stress and Hormone Profile (which includes the optional insulin markers), the data told a complete story.
His cortisol levels were elevated throughout the entire day, indicating chronic stress that wasn’t resolving. His DHEA was starting to rise, showing the body was trying to compensate for prolonged stress.
His fasting insulin came in at 17. Elevated starts at 18, so he was right on the edge. His non-fasting insulin was 33, clearly elevated and confirming insulin resistance.
His secretory IgA was very low, which explained his new GI issues. Chronic stress depletes immune function in the gut. His melatonin was above normal daytime range, indicating his circadian rhythm was completely disrupted. And his testosterone was low for his age at 40.
Every single marker on this one test pointed to the same underlying cause: chronic stress driving metabolic dysfunction. The stress wasn’t just making John feel bad. It was literally creating insulin resistance, depleting his immune function, disrupting his sleep, and tanking his testosterone.
With this data, John’s FDN Practitioner could create a targeted protocol. Stress management strategies to bring down that chronic cortisol elevation. Specific interventions to support secretory IgA recovery in the gut. Sleep hygiene protocols to regulate his circadian rhythm. Dietary adjustments to address the insulin resistance.
Most importantly, John now had objective data showing him exactly what was happening in his body. He wasn’t “just stressed.” He had measurable markers that would track his progress and keep him motivated through the protocol.
Beyond Symptom Management: Understanding Underlying Causes
This is where FDN practitioners separate themselves from conventional health coaches. You’re not just addressing symptoms. You’re identifying the patterns that create those symptoms in the first place.
Take John’s case. A typical health coach might have approached his concerns symptom by symptom. Tired? Try an energy supplement. Can’t sleep? Here’s a sleep hygiene guide. Gaining weight? Let’s look at your diet and exercise. GI issues? Probably need a probiotic.
Each intervention treats a symptom. None of them address why all these symptoms showed up together.
But look at the test results. High cortisol from chronic stress. That elevation increases blood glucose and creates insulin resistance, which explains the weight gain and fatigue. It disrupts melatonin production, which explains the sleep problems. It depletes secretory IgA, which explains the GI issues. And it lowers testosterone, which explains more fatigue and weight gain.
One root cause created a cascade of symptoms. And one comprehensive test revealed the entire pattern.
Dr. Gonshor emphasizes this interconnectedness: “All of these results are really red flags that are telling you that there is a chronic stress problem, all from this one non-diagnostic screening profile.”
This is the power of the Test, Don’t Guess philosophy. You’re working with data that reveals cause and effect relationships. You’re not guessing which supplement might help. You’re building protocols based on what your client’s body is actually doing.
The Five Systems You Must Understand
The reason the Stress and Hormone Profile works so well is that it captures five systems that are always interconnected.
1. Adrenal Function (Stress Response)
Your client’s four-point cortisol curve shows you their stress response pattern. Are they producing cortisol normally? Is it elevated all day? Is it dropping when it should be high? Each pattern tells a different story and requires different interventions.
The cortisol-to-DHEA ratio reveals whether your client is in a catabolic (breaking down) or anabolic (building up) state. When stress is chronic, DHEA drops and cortisol stays high. The body is literally breaking itself down.
2. Sex Hormones
Chronic stress doesn’t just make you tired. It disrupts sex hormone production because the body prioritizes survival over reproduction. Progesterone gets shunted to make more cortisol. Testosterone drops. Estrogen becomes imbalanced.
The connection between insulin and sex hormones matters too. Hyperinsulinemia (high insulin in the blood) stimulates the ovaries to produce more testosterone. In obese males, testosterone drops while estradiol rises. Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) decreases with high insulin, creating more free active hormones.
These aren’t separate issues. They’re one interconnected system.
3. Immune Function
Secretory IgA is the immunoglobulin that lives in the mucosa of your intestines and other mucosal surfaces. It’s your first line of defense against pathogens.
When cortisol stays elevated from chronic stress, secretory IgA drops. This is why stressed clients get sick more often. It’s why they develop food sensitivities. It’s why they struggle with gut issues.
Reed Davis sees this as another window into the client’s condition: “I think of it myself as a window into gut function because most melatonin is made in the gut.”
4. Circadian Rhythm and Antioxidant Capacity
Melatonin does more than regulate sleep. Dr. Gonshor explains: “Melatonin is a major antioxidant. That’s actually its major function. And of course, close by that is its function in circadian rhythm control.”
When your client’s melatonin is disrupted, you’re seeing evidence that their sleep-wake cycle is off and their antioxidant defenses are compromised. Research shows that poor sleep directly affects diabetes risk. People with insufficient sleep are two times more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The connection runs both ways. Sleep disruption increases insulin resistance. And metabolic dysfunction disrupts sleep quality. You have to address both.
5. Metabolic Health
This is where the fasting and non-fasting insulin measurements complete the picture. You’re seeing whether your client’s cells are insulin resistant. You’re catching pre-diabetes before it shows up on standard blood work.
The carbohydrate challenge test (non-fasting insulin) is particularly revealing. Your client consumes 75 grams of carbohydrates one hour before their noon saliva sample. This stresses their system to see how well they handle glucose intake.
If insulin spikes high and stays high, you know their cells aren’t responding well to insulin’s signals. Glucose isn’t getting into cells efficiently. This is insulin resistance developing in real time.
What Makes FDN’s Approach Different
You might be thinking: “This all sounds great, but how do I actually learn to interpret these tests? How do I know what protocols to use?”
FDN built an entire program around functional lab testing for a reason. We don’t just give you access to tests and wish you luck. We teach you:
The D.R.E.S.S. protocol framework. Diet, Rest, Exercise, Stress reduction, and Supplementation. This gives you a systematic approach to building client protocols based on test results.
The H.I.D.D.E.N. stressor system. Hormones, Immune, Digestion, Detoxification, Energy, and Nervous system. This helps you understand which body systems are under stress and how they interact.
Real case interpretation with expert guidance. Our Lab and Learn sessions with Dr. Gonshor walk you through actual cases so you learn pattern recognition, not just textbook knowledge.
Access to 70+ functional lab tests. Through our Medical Director Program (MDP), you can order advanced functional labs for your clients even if you don’t have a medical license. This is unique to FDN.
Clinical mentorship. You get twelve 1-on-1 sessions with experienced FDN mentors who help you interpret your first cases and build confidence in your recommendations.
A global community of 5,000+ practitioners. When you have questions, you’re not figuring it out alone. You’re connected to thousands of FDN-trained practitioners who’ve worked through similar cases.
Reed Davis built FDN specifically to address the gap he saw in health coaching: “We used to love it in the health coaching and nutrition and fitness world because it gave us insights into our client’s condition, their true condition, more than we could possibly get any other way.”
The Business Case for Functional Lab Testing
Let’s talk about something most certification programs avoid: how this actually builds your practice.
When you can show clients objective data about what’s happening in their body, several things happen:
Credibility increases immediately. You’re not just another health coach with opinions. You’re presenting hard numbers that explain why they feel the way they do.
Compliance improves dramatically. Clients follow through on your recommendations because they see evidence of what needs to change. Those numbers keep them accountable.
Results become consistent. When you’re working from data instead of guessing, your success rate goes up. Consistent results create referrals.
You can charge premium fees. Practitioners with advanced diagnostic skills command higher fees because they deliver better outcomes. Many FDN practitioners build six-figure practices.
Client retention extends naturally. When clients see their markers improving, they stay engaged. You’re not hoping they stick around. You’re tracking their progress together.
Reed Davis emphasizes this point about the data: “These numbers really do mean something. They’re not to be ignored. The idea that you might be pre-diabetic… everyone knows they don’t want to be diabetic these days.”
The numbers create urgency. They motivate change. And they keep your clients engaged through their healing journey.
How Insulin Testing Completes the Picture
When Fluids IQ (FDN’s lab partner) added fasting and non-fasting insulin as optional markers to the Stress and Hormone Profile, it gave FDN practitioners access to an even more comprehensive assessment tool.
Dr. Gonshor explains the importance: “Elevated fasting insulin or insulin dysregulation after glucose ingestion, in either case, these are hallmarks of insulin resistance.”
You’re not waiting for your client’s blood sugar to spike into pre-diabetic or diabetic ranges. You’re seeing the insulin resistance developing before glucose becomes a problem. This gives you years of intervention opportunity.
The metabolic syndrome picture becomes clear. Insulin resistance caught early through this testing. High blood pressure, which is often present when clients seek help. High cholesterol and triglycerides usually found on standard blood work. Low HDL cholesterol as the “good” cholesterol drops. Central obesity that’s visible and measurable.
Dr. Gonshor shares a sobering statistic: “Metabolic syndrome is seen in greater than 30% of US adults. Greater than 50% of those who are over the age of 60. In fact, 80% or more of the US population have at least one component of this metabolic syndrome.”
Your clients are part of this statistic. The question is whether you’ll catch it early enough to help them reverse course.
The Path Forward for Serious Practitioners
If you’ve read this far, you’re likely in one of two camps. Either you’re already working with clients but frustrated by inconsistent results and ready to level up your skills. Or you’re considering a career in functional health and want to build on a solid foundation from the start.
Either way, functional lab testing isn’t optional anymore. The practitioners who can identify subclinical dysfunction, create data-driven protocols, and track objective progress are the ones building sustainable, successful practices.
The Stress and Hormone Profile is one of five core functional tests you’ll master in the FDN program. As you build your practice, you’ll have access to advanced versions and over 70 additional functional labs through our Medical Director Program.
Reed Davis describes the evolution of this test: “We used to love it in the health coaching and nutrition and fitness world because it gave us insights into our client’s condition, their true condition, more than we could possibly get any other way. The test has evolved… and now Fluids IQ have made it even better with the insulin.”
Your Next Step
The gap between health coaches who guess and practitioners who test keeps growing. Clients are more informed than ever. They’re looking for practitioners who can explain what’s actually happening in their body and create targeted protocols based on data.
FDN gives you the training, tools, and community to become that practitioner. You’ll learn to interpret functional labs, build effective protocols using the D.R.E.S.S. framework, and deliver consistent results that build your reputation and your practice.
The FDN certification includes lifetime access to comprehensive training materials. Twelve 1-on-1 mentorship sessions with experienced practitioners. Five functional tests to run on yourself so you learn by experiencing the process. Access to order 70+ functional labs through our Medical Director Program. Connection to a global community of 5,000+ health experts. And the opportunity to join our graduate program and business school for continued growth.
Most importantly, you’ll stop guessing and start testing.
Ready to transform your practice with functional lab testing?
Questions about whether FDN is right for you? Schedule a discovery call with our admissions team to discuss your practice goals and how our certification can help you achieve them. Book Your Discovery Call HERE.
