Trust Your Symptoms: When “Normal” Labs Aren’t the Whole Picture

with Registered Dietitian Stephanie Darby

Have you ever walked out of a doctor’s office with “normal” lab results… but deep down, you know something still isn’t right?

In this episode of the Andrea Kay Wellness Podcast, I’m joined by Stephanie Darby, a registered dietitian who specializes in functional and sports nutrition. Together, we explore a powerful truth that so many women need to hear:

“You’re not crazy, and your body isn’t betraying you. It’s trying to tell you something—it’s just that traditional labs don’t always speak the same language.” — Stephanie Darby

What We Talked About:

Stephanie opens up about her own journey through adrenal fatigue, postpartum depletion, and burnout—and how those experiences led her to leave the traditional nutrition world and explore functional medicine.

We cover:

• Why “normal” lab results don’t always mean you’re okay

• How burnout and identity loss show up in the body

• The difference between conventional and functional lab testing

• Reclaiming your energy, voice, and sense of self after motherhood

• How boundaries, rest, and deep self-trust are essential to healing

Why This Conversation Matters

If you’ve ever been dismissed, told “you’re fine” when you didn’t feel fine, or felt like you were doing all the right things and still struggling—this is your reminder to trust yourself. Stephanie’s story is a powerful example of how healing isn’t always about more supplements or stricter routines… it’s about listening to what your body is trying to say.

Key Takeaways:

🧬 Lab work is a tool, not a truth.
Stephanie explains how conventional lab ranges are often too broad to catch subtle dysfunction. Functional testing looks deeper — at patterns, not just outliers.

💤 Symptoms are your body’s way of asking for help.
Exhaustion, poor sleep, irritability, brain fog… they aren’t just nuisances. They’re clues. And you don’t have to wait until you're “sick enough” to deserve support.

🧠 True healing is about more than food.
Stephanie shares how she had to untangle her identity from being “the healthy one” and begin the deeper emotional work of setting boundaries, releasing guilt, and giving herself permission to rest.

👶 Postpartum isn’t just physical.
We talk openly about the toll motherhood can take — especially when your body feels unrecognizable and medical support feels minimal.

🧪 You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Functional nutrition provides personalized, data-backed insight into how your body’s systems are functioning — and offers targeted support to restore balance.

You’re Not Broken—You’re Waking Up

Your symptoms aren’t a sign of failure. They’re a wake-up call.

And once you start listening, honoring, and supporting your body with real tools (not just trends), healing becomes possible.

Healing is never just physical. It’s emotional, mental, and spiritual too. And when we start honoring all of those layers, we stop chasing quick fixes—and start building something lasting.

A Note from Andrea:

This episode is personal. Because like so many of you, I’ve walked through the confusion of feeling off but being told I’m fine. Stephanie’s story is one of courage, curiosity, and deep healing—and I know it will remind you that you are not alone.

If you’re ready to dig deeper and learn what your body is really trying to tell you, check out Stephanie’s curated list of resources here:
👉 Explore Functional Testing with Stephanie Darby

This post is based on Episode 6 of the Andrea Kay Wellness Podcast. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.