Written by Dr. Suzanne Tang

August 25th, 2025

Why I Do What I Do

As you probably know by now, my greatest passion is hormones. Over two decades ago in naturopathic medical and acupuncture school, young, bright-eyed, and excited to learn, I didn’t plan on specializing in women’s health and endocrinology. But within a few years in practice, I was seeing so many women suffering with very similar disruptive symptoms:

Weight gain
Brain fog
Irritability and fatigue
Anxiety and depression
Hair loss, hot flashes, night sweats
Irregular or painful cycles
Insomnia, bloating, allergies, cravings and inflammation

Many of these symptoms surfaced during major hormonal shifts — menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. Many women going through the unpredictability of perimenopause and menopause in particular, were arriving at our clinic doors in droves, feeling abandoned by the western medical system.

After the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study, which incorrectly claimed that hormone therapy was dangerous, countless women were left feeling gaslit, and misunderstood by the medical system. Those claims have since been reviewed and retracted, with new studies showing hormone therapy actually reduces all-cause mortality and helps prevent chronic conditions like heart disease, dementia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

These women inspired me to truly understand the intricacies and impact of hormones and to help women thrive throughout all phases of hormonal shifts and learn more about bio-identical hormone therapy. This led me to dig deeper and order the proper functional lab tests to identify the root causes, create a road map to address their hormonal excesses and/or deficiencies, and truly optimize every women’s hormonal wellness. As the pillars of health were restored, many people were getting their health and life back, conceiving naturally, sustaining pregnancies, birthing healthy babies, experiencing regular and pain-free menstrual cycles, transitioning through perimenopause and menopause with ease and vitality, and finding their joy and purpose again.

👉 For a deeper dive on menopause and hormones, you can read my earlier blog here: Meno-Ease: Easing into Menopause Naturally

Eve’s Story: From “Fan Lady” to “Fun Lady”

Our patient Eve’s story is an example of our why. It’s the reason we are so passionate and excited to help our patients transform their health and lives.

For years, Eve suffered from insomnia, leaving her chronically tired, and endured constant hot flashes— so much that she nicknamed herself “The Fan Lady” because she had to carry a fan everywhere she went. She was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, and hypertension, and had been in menopause for several years without any hormone support. She was frustrated by her stubborn belly fat, weight gain, and bloating, but she was scared to exercise because she didn’t know what the right exercises were to do for her osteoporosis, fearful that she would cause a fracture. Eve also thought she was eating healthy until we did a thorough review of her diet, and she learned that she was consuming a lot more fruit sugar and refined grains than was needed for her metabolic needs. She was on blood pressure medication and self-supplementing with herbs and nutrients for her thyroid. Although she was living a full and purposeful life, her body wasn’t able to keep up with her big lifestyle and personality until she partnered up with our team to elevate her health through our empowering wellness program.

Recently, Eve celebrated her 65th birthday with all of her family and friends, looking absolutely fit and fabulous. We loved seeing her beautiful and healthy glow and vitality, and we can’t wait to hear more about her many amazing trips around the sun.

Does this sound familiar?

You are not alone if you relate to Eve’s frustration, confusion, and overwhelm. There is so much information and misinformation about hormones and a lack of guidance regarding proper testing and treatment recommendations.

These are the common questions that we initially hear from new members:

I eat pretty healthy, but it could be better. What is the most optimal diet for my health needs?
I am taking supplements recommended by my friends, the health food store clerk, and/or Instagram, but I am not sure if I should be taking them or if they are really working. What quality supplements do you recommend to address my health concerns?
Is it safe to use hormone therapy, and what’s the difference between using oral, patch, or cream and synthetic versus bio-identical?
What exercises, mental, physical, and emotional, need to be cultivated for overall hormone wellness and healthy metabolism?
I think stress and hormones are contributing to my health problems, but I am not sure where to begin with testing, since my medical doctor will only order basic blood work. Which tests do I need to figure out the causes of my health issues?

Once we have done a case evaluation, lab assessment, and review, our members receive clarity and direction on the next steps towards optimal health. That’s why our final pillar in our wellness programs, Hormone and Functional Lab Testing, is so essential to help identify the hormonal landscape and help provide a roadmap to answer these questions and design the most effective and customized therapies and recommendations for your unique health concerns and needs. Taking the time to listen and understand your health concerns, along with the lab work, offers insightful information on the missing puzzle pieces to unlocking your health.

Eve’s Transformation

Back to Eve. She brought in her previous blood work, which I thoroughly reviewed based on functional and optimal ranges, noting that her TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormones were elevated, but a comprehensive thyroid panel was not done. Furthermore, many other functional labs were not ordered. Since she’s menopausal, gaining weight, dealing with stubborn belly fat, and has high blood pressure, I was concerned about her increased risk for heart disease, obesity, diabetes and worsening osteoporosis, and risk of fractures. I ordered additional labs to fully assess her cardiovascular health, inflammation, adrenal and thyroid function, nutrient status, and hormones, and this is what we discovered for Eve:

Elevated HbA1c and insulin, which are markers for Type 2 diabetes
Hormones, estradiol, progesterone, DHEA-sulfate, and testosterone were all low
Free T3 or triiodothyronine, an important thyroid hormone, was suboptimal
Vitamin D levels were off-the-charts high
Fungal infection, multiple food intolerances, and nutrient deficiencies based on her bio-meridian scan with our biomeridian practitioner and health coach, Jill Brew

We created a customized plan for Eve to reduce stress, improve sleep, support her thyroid and hormones, regulate her blood pressure, glucose, and insulin that included:

Detox Plan
Dietary changes to improve metabolism, hormones, and bone health
Nutritional and supplement review and recommendations
Bio-identical hormone therapy
Health coaching
Mindfulness and movement community classes
Acupuncture
Fitness strength-training program especially designed for people 40 and over with Thrive Training

She did the work and saw results very quickly:

Hot flashes are completely gone
She AND her husband are sleeping deeply
Blood pressure is normal
She has lost belly fat, inches, and several pounds
HbA1c has dropped from 5.7 to 5.3!
Insulin levels have also decreased by 6 points and are now in the optimal range
Vitamin D is at a healthy and safe level
Thyroid and hormone levels have improved significantly

Eve is no longer the “Fan Lady” but the “Fun Lady” working the night shift as a home health aide and still having tons of energy to go out dancing with her husband and volunteer at church on her days off. Check out her video testimonial HERE!

Why Functional Lab Testing Matters

Stories like Eve’s highlight why functional lab testing is such an essential pillar in our wellness programs. It helps uncover the “missing puzzle pieces” that typical medical workups overlook.

Some of the labs we order (based on individual needs) include:

Hormone, adrenal, thyroid, cardiovascular, nutrient & metabolic panels
Gut microbiome testing
Neurotransmitter and organic acid testing
Environmental toxins, heavy metals, mold, infections (viral, bacterial, parasitic, Lyme)
Autoimmunity and genetic mutation testing

We partner with you to understand your unique health concerns and identify the root causes to create a clear and concise roadmap to help you find your way home to your healthiest and most purpose-filled self.

👉 We offer blood work through Labcorp and Quest (for our members with PPO insurance); however, coverage depends on each individual’s insurance plan. Each person needs to contact their insurance provider directly for more details about their lab coverage. Since we are not contracted with insurance companies or Medicare and do not bill insurance, lab tests ordered by our providers are not covered by HMO, Kaiser, or Medicare without a supplemental insurance plan. Most of our members prefer to have their functional lab testing conveniently ordered through our lab partner, Rupa Health, since they offer discounted cash-pay pricing to providers, and we pass on these savings to all of our members. This ensures transparency — no surprise bills, and clarity on exactly what you’re paying for.

Your Story Matters Too

Just like Eve, many of our members love to share their health transformations to inspire others. We’d love to hear your story!

🌿 Share your testimonial, preferably as a video (with before & after photos), and you’ll be entered into our quarterly raffle to win a complimentary acupuncture visit with Dr. Tang. (Email to info@inspirenaturalwellness.net)

And if your health needs a reboot, contact our office to schedule a complimentary discovery call. Let’s create your roadmap to thriving again.

Yours in Wellness,

Dr. Suzanne Tang and the Inspire Natural Wellness Team