Complimentary 15-min strategy session to review your goals.
Clients often report improved energy, restful sleep, and a renewed sense of wellbeing.
Trusted by hundreds of clients seeking personalised, results-driven natural care.
Published author and passionate teacher in the field of holistic health.
Clients often report improved energy, restful sleep, and a renewed sense of wellbeing.
Trusted by hundreds of clients seeking personalised, results-driven natural care.
Published author and passionate teacher in the field of holistic health.
If you’ve been told your blood tests are “normal” but you still feel terrible, these case studies are for you.
I’m Jeannette Scapens, Advanced Diploma Naturopath and certified Metabolic Balance Coach. The stories below show what happens when someone with clinical training looks beyond the standard protocol to address the root causes keeping you stuck.
Each case study includes:
Katrina was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and prescribed Thyroxine. Despite medication, she was:
She’d been told the medication would fix everything. It didn’t.
Nutritional Strategy:
The Critical Adjustment: Reduced her exercise intensity. Her body needed recovery, not more stress. Chronic intense exercise was raising cortisol, which blocks thyroid hormone conversion.
The Blood Work: Her TSH was “in range” on medication, but her free T3 (active thyroid hormone) was suboptimal. Her inflammation markers were elevated.
The Real Problem: Medication replaces thyroid hormone, but it doesn’t address WHY the thyroid is struggling. Katrina’s inflammation was blocking her thyroid hormone receptors—so even with medication, her cells couldn’t use the hormones effectively.
In Katrina’s Words
“I was struggling with a sluggish thyroid, exercising like crazy, but struggling to lose any weight. I have been following my Metabolic Balance plan for almost a year and have lost 12kg and kept it off. I am full of energy as my body has had a reboot and is loving it! As a bonus, I no longer need to take my Thyroxine medication! Jeannette has been a great support to me through this entire journey.”
Root-Cause Healing vs. Symptom Suppression:
Medication suppresses symptoms. Root-cause healing addresses why your thyroid struggled in the first place:
The Timeline: Thyroid healing takes months. Katrina stayed on medication initially while we addressed root causes. As her inflammation decreased and her nutrient intake improved, her thyroid produced adequate hormones naturally. Her doctor gradually discontinued medication based on improved blood work.
This is why qualification matters. A standard coach gives you the food plan. A naturopath interprets the mechanisms behind your dysfunction and personalises accordingly.
Post-Menopause-Specific Strategy:
The Key: Post-menopause, WHEN you eat becomes as important as WHAT you eat. Insulin sensitivity is lower in the evening.
When oestrogen declines, multiple metabolic changes occur:
The Clinical Picture: TJ’s blood work was “normal” but not optimal. “Normal” ranges are population averages, not optimal levels.
For post-menopausal women:
These subtle shifts explained why she felt “not right” despite being “healthy.”
TJ is in her mid-50s, post-menopausal, and was doing everything “right”:
Despite this, she felt puffy, bloated, tired, and uncomfortable in her own skin.
Her GP’s Advice: Blood tests showed “normal” ranges. “Oh well, you’re post-menopausal, so this is the way it’s going to be for you.”
TJ’s Response: “I just wasn’t prepared to accept such a defeated approach to what the rest of my life was going to feel like—especially if that was going to be for another 25 or 30 years!”
Within First Fortnight:
TJ was shocked. She’d expected this to be “difficult at her age.”
By Program End: Achieved all goals, felt dramatically better
In TJ’s Words
“I had the GP’s comments stuck in my head about being post-menopausal. I thought being leaner and lighter was unachievable for someone of my age. Boy was I mistaken! I sometimes wonder what I would be feeling like if I hadn’t come across Jeanette and the Program – I know I wouldn’t be feeling as good as I do today. The Program has put me on the road to a healthy and balanced lifestyle that I will follow for the rest of my life.”
TJ was following excellent health advice—Mediterranean diet, regular exercise. So why wasn’t it working?
Age isn’t a barrier to health—outdated advice is. Post-menopause doesn’t mean accepting weight gain and declining health. It means understanding your body has different needs now, and meeting those needs with precision.
Bloating severe enough to “look pregnant” isn’t normal. This level indicates:
Hashimoto’s (autoimmune thyroid) is strongly linked to gut health. Approximately 70% of your immune system is in your gut. When your gut is inflamed:
Hashimoto’s doesn’t start in your thyroid—it often starts in your gut.
Renee came to me in her late 30s looking pregnant from severe bloating. She also had:
The Clinical Significance: Severe bloating + autoimmune thyroid disease = significant gut inflammation and food sensitivities.
Gut-Healing Strategy:
After Just 4 Weeks:
After 12 Weeks:
In Renee’s Words (4 Weeks In)
“In 14 days I lost 4.2kgs and I never have felt better. My bloating has gone and I don’t look like I’m pregnant anymore. I have more energy, stopped napping throughout the day and feel more alive than I ever had before. It has taken years of heartache, tears, stress, doctor appointments and now I finally have all the answers I need. I just wish I found Jeannette years ago! 100% recommend, you won’t regret it.”
After Program Completion:
“This program has completely changed my life for the better! I don’t look pregnant anymore! I have better sleep! I don’t need to nap anymore and have good energy! I shaved 2 mins off my 5km run time! My hormones feel more balanced. I’m excited for what the future holds!”
Long-Term Success: Renee is still a client three years later and regularly refers friends and family.
The Power of Blood-Based Personalisation:
Certain foods (different for each person) trigger immune responses. When you eat these foods:
By identifying and removing Renee’s specific trigger foods through her blood work, we:
This surprised Renee, but it makes sense:
The Three-Year Success: Renee’s continued relationship with me demonstrates this wasn’t a quick fix—it was true healing. She now knows which foods support her body and how to maintain gut health.
We start by collecting your blood data and health history. Your personalised plan is generated in Germany. We then spend 2 days gently prepping your body (a mild detox) to clear the slate.
This is where the magic happens. You eat only the foods on your personal list. This strict period calms inflammation, regulates insulin, and typically results in rapid, motivating weight release.
We reintroduce oils, “treat” meals, and more variety. We test how your body reacts to foods not on your original list, teaching you metabolic flexibility.
This is the “rest of your life.” You now have the knowledge to maintain your weight effortlessly. You know which foods fuel you and which drain you.
Every case required understanding mechanisms behind symptoms—why the thyroid struggled, why inflammation was high, why weight wouldn’t shift.
Metabolic Balance provides personalised food plans, but my naturopathic training allowed me to interpret blood work more deeply and adjust accordingly.
Rather than chasing symptoms (medication, anti-reflux drugs, weight loss pills), we addressed why the body struggled in the first place.
What works for one person (intense exercise) can harm another. Clinical expertise means knowing when to adjust.
Choose a Naturopath If You:
A Standard Coach May Be Fine If You:
If you see yourself in these case studies – if you’ve struggled with thyroid issues, been told “this is just how it is,” or have unexplained symptoms despite “normal” tests –there is a way forward.
These transformations happened because we:
The first step is a conversation.
Book Your Free 15-Minute Discovery Call
On this call, we’ll discuss:
No pressure, no sales pitch—just an honest conversation about whether this approach can help you achieve the healing you’re looking for.
Jeannette Scapens
Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy
Certified Metabolic Balance® Coach (March 2018)
Certified Thyroid Recovery Practitioner (Level 1)
Certified NLP Practitioner and Hypnotherapist
ATMS Member #27097
Over 240 clients coached through Metabolic Balance since 2018.
Clinic Location: Seaview Downs, Adelaide, South Australia
Services: Australia-wide via Zoom and phone consultations also available
Clients often report improved energy, restful sleep, and a renewed sense of wellbeing.
Trusted by hundreds of clients seeking personalised, results-driven natural care.
Published author and passionate teacher in the field of holistic health.
Clients often report improved energy, restful sleep, and a renewed sense of wellbeing.
Trusted by hundreds of clients seeking personalised, results-driven natural care.
Published author and passionate teacher in the field of holistic health.
Clients often report improved energy, restful sleep, and a renewed sense of wellbeing.
Trusted by hundreds of clients seeking personalised, results-driven natural care.
Published author and passionate teacher in the field of holistic health.
Clients often report improved energy, restful sleep, and a renewed sense of wellbeing.
Trusted by hundreds of clients seeking personalised, results-driven natural care.
Published author and passionate teacher in the field of holistic health.
