As the year winds down, many of my patients start reflecting on their health—what’s improved, what’s still challenging, and what they want to feel differently in the new year. And along with that reflection comes an influx of voice notes, portal messages, and holiday-season questions about everything from gut health and hormones to energy, EBOO, inflammation, and longevity.

So if you’ve been wondering about your symptoms, your labs, or the next best step for your health, you’re in good company. These questions are incredibly common—and completely valid.

#1 How Do I Know if My Symptoms Are Hormone-Related?

Hormones play a major role in your energy, mood, sleep, weight, libido, and cognitive clarity. When levels shift—even slightly—you may feel changes long before a lab result looks abnormal.

Common signs of hormone imbalance include:

• Fatigue or sluggishness
• Brain fog
• Hot flashes or temperature swings
• Low libido
• Anxiety or irritability
• Weight gain despite healthy habits
• Poor sleep
• Irregular cycles or perimenopause symptoms

Key tests I use to evaluate hormone health include:

• Full thyroid panel (not just TSH)
• Cortisol testing (especially circadian rhythm patterns)
• Sex hormones — estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA
• Metabolic and inflammatory markers

#2 Do I Need Lab Testing Before Starting Treatment?

In integrative medicine, the answer is almost always yes—and here’s why.

Most symptoms have multiple root causes. Fatigue, bloating, brain fog, weight changes, pain, sleep disruption—these can come from hormones, inflammation, gut imbalance, nutrient deficiencies, adrenal dysregulation, or mitochondrial stress.

Types of tests I commonly recommend:

Gut Microbiome Testing

Reveals dysbiosis, infections, inflammation, enzyme insufficiency, and leaky gut markers.

Inflammatory Markers

Shows how much systemic inflammation is impacting energy, sleep, mood, and immunity.

Food Sensitivity Markers

Not about fad elimination diets—these tests identify reactions that trigger bloating, fatigue, joint pain, or skin issues.

Hormone & Adrenal Panels

Provides a clear picture of thyroid health, cortisol rhythm, estrogen/progesterone balance, testosterone, and metabolic patterns.

Mitochondrial / Oxidative Stress Panels

Crucial for chronic fatigue, long COVID, brain fog, and burnout. Shows how well your cells are producing energy.

#3 Is EBOO Worth It?

This is one of the most common questions I hear at the end of the year, especially from patients struggling with inflammation, burnout, or chronic symptoms that aren’t improving through standard care.

EBOO (Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation & Ozonation) is an advanced, high-level oxidative therapy that oxygenates, filters, and rejuvenates the blood. It’s more comprehensive than standard ozone therapy and offers deeper systemic benefits.

When EBOO is recommended:

• Chronic inflammation
• Persistent fatigue
• Brain fog
• Long COVID or post-viral symptoms
• Autoimmune conditions
• Gut inflammation
• Mold or toxin exposure
• Hormone resistance or sluggish metabolism

Benefits of EBOO include:

• Reduced inflammation
• Better mitochondrial energy production
• Improved oxygen delivery
• Clearer thinking and mental focus
• Decreased pain
• Faster recovery
• Enhanced immune function

How patients typically feel after treatment

Many describe:

• increased clarity
• lighter, cleaner energy
• better sleep
• reduced bloating or inflammation
• improved mood
• enhanced stamina

#4 What Can I Do to Improve My Energy—Fast?

Energy is one of the body’s most sensitive indicators that something is out of balance. When patients tell me, “I’m just tired all the time,” the true cause is rarely age—it’s almost always cellular energy dysfunction.

Your mitochondria are the engines that power every cell in your body. When they’re strained by stress, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, toxins, or hormone imbalances, you feel:

• Sluggish
• Foggy
• Unmotivated
• Stressed
• Physically heavy

Immediate Steps to Boost Energy

You can often feel better within 24–48 hours by focusing on:

• Hydration: Most people are chronically dehydrated, which slows cellular energy production.
• Electrolytes: Sodium, potassium, and magnesium support energy and mental clarity.
• Protein: Eating 20–30g of protein per meal stabilizes blood sugar and boosts metabolism.
• Pacing: Overworking your system leads to cortisol spikes and energy crashes.

Long-Term Tools for Lasting Energy

To heal energy at the root, I commonly recommend:

• NAD+ therapy to repair mitochondria
• Thyroid optimization (full panel, not just TSH)
• EBOO for deep inflammation clearing and oxygenation
• Anti-inflammatory nutrition to stabilize blood sugar and reduce cellular stress

#5 How Do I Support My Gut During the Holidays or Stressful Seasons?

This is a huge question every year, and for good reason. Stress and holiday eating can flare IBS, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and food sensitivities.

Common IBS Triggers This Time of Year

• Sugar
• Alcohol
• Gluten & dairy
• Heavy meals
• Travel stress
• Irregular meal timing

Gut-Support Tools I Recommend

• Digestive enzymes: reduce bloating and help break down heavy meals
• Probiotics: support good bacteria during travel or inflammation
• Magnesium: supports motility and prevents constipation
• Bitters: stimulate digestion and stomach acid for smoother meals

#6 What’s the Best Way to Reset After a Tough Year?

Everyone loves a “reset,” especially at year-end—but it must be done safely and sustainably.

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition

Focus on whole, nutrient-rich foods: proteins, healthy fats, vegetables, and fiber. Skip extreme cleanses or restrictive detox kits.

Sleep & Circadian Rhythm Repair

Your body heals at night. Prioritize:

• Consistent sleep times
• Light exposure in the morning
• Reduced screens at night

Light Therapy (TheraLumen)

TheraLumen supports cellular repair, detox pathways, lymphatic circulation, and helps calm the stress response.

Gentle Detoxification

Your body prefers gentle detox, such as:

• Hydration
• Herbal teas
• Sweating
• Walking
• Dry brushing
• Liver-supportive nutrients

#7 Can You Help With Low Libido?

Absolutely. Libido is a vital sign of hormonal and emotional wellness—not an optional accessory.

Common Causes of Low Libido

• Hormonal imbalance (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA)
• Poor circulation
• Chronic inflammation
• Gut dysbiosis
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Stress & sleep disruption

Holistic Strategies I Use

• BHRT (bioidentical hormones) for balanced sex hormones
• Ozone & EBOO for improving circulation and lowering inflammation
• Amino acid therapy to support neurotransmitter and hormone production
• Gut repair protocols to optimize estrogen metabolism and lower inflammation

#8 What’s the Difference Between Integrative and Conventional Medicine?

This is one of the most important questions I receive, especially from patients who have been dismissed, told their labs are “normal,” or offered quick fixes that don’t address the whole picture.

Root-Cause Care vs. Symptom Suppression

• Conventional medicine excels at emergency care, acute issues, and lifesaving interventions.
• Integrative medicine focuses on finding why symptoms developed in the first place—hormone imbalance, inflammation, gut dysfunction, nutrient depletion, mitochondrial stress, or toxicity.

Personalized Plans vs. One-Size-Fits-All

In conventional settings, many treatments follow standard protocols. In integrative medicine, no two patients receive the same plan, even with similar symptoms.

Your labs, history, gut health, stress patterns, genetics, and goals all matter.

#9 Is It Too Late to Start Working on My Health This Year?

Not at all—there is no such thing as ‘too late’ in integrative medicine.

Even small changes—hydration, protein balance, sleep hygiene, stress management—begin shifting inflammation and hormones in the right direction.

Getting your labs done now helps you:

• Understand what's behind your symptoms
• Create an intentional plan for 2025
• Avoid the January rush
• Start the year informed, not overwhelmed

By taking action now, you enter the new year with clarity—not confusion or burnout.

Whether you’re rebuilding from burnout or fine-tuning your wellness routine, every step is progress. You deserve support right where you are.

#10 What Are the Most Important Things to Focus On for 2025 Health Goals?

Instead of chasing trends, detox kits, or fad diets, I guide my patients to focus on the Foundational 5—the pillars that control 90% of how you feel.

The Foundational 5

Sleep

The body’s master reset: hormones, brain function, metabolism, and emotional balance.

Stress / Nervous System

Regulating cortisol and calming the system restores energy, libido, and gut function.

Gut Function

Your microbiome influences digestion, immunity, hormones, and even mood.

Hormones

Balanced hormones = stable energy, weight, libido, focus, and resilience.

Mitochondria

Your cellular engines. Strong mitochondria = strong life force.

Start the New Year With Clarity, Confidence, and a Personalized Wellness Plan

Integrative medicine is not about judgment or quick fixes.
It’s about empowerment, education, root-cause healing, and helping you feel like yourself again.

I invite you to schedule a consultation—whether in my Encinitas office or via Florida telehealth—so we can uncover what’s driving your symptoms and build a personalized plan for energy, hormone balance, gut health, and long-term vitality.

End-of-year and early-year testing are especially valuable for setting your wellness goals with precision.
The first step is simple—and you don’t have to take it alone.

Contact Information

Dr. Linette Williamson, Integrative Medicine
📍 317 N El Camino Real, Suite 107, Encinitas, CA 92024
📍 Telehealth available throughout Florida
📞 (760) 875-2627 🌐 https://www.linettewilliamsonmd.com