Why Your Labs Look “Normal” (But You Still Don’t Feel Right)

Uncovering the Root Causes Behind Your Persistent Symptoms

As a health coach, I’ve noticed a concerning trend among my clients – they come to me feeling unwell, only to be told by their doctors that their lab tests look “normal.” This disconnect between how they feel and what their test results show can be incredibly frustrating and leave them feeling dismissed or misunderstood.

The truth is, “normal” lab ranges don’t always equate to “optimal” health. There are several key reasons why your labs may appear normal on paper, yet you continue to struggle with persistent symptoms like digestive issues, low energy, thyroid problems, irregular periods, and more. In this in-depth blog post, I’ll dive into the root causes behind this disconnect and share the functional lab testing approach I use to get to the bottom of my clients’ health concerns.

The Problem with “Normal” Lab Ranges

One of the primary reasons your doctor may tell you your labs look normal is that they are evaluating your results against a broad “normal” reference range, rather than an optimal range. These standard reference ranges are typically based on a general, often unhealthy population – meaning they may not accurately reflect what’s optimal for your unique biology and health needs.

Let’s look at a few examples to illustrate this point:

• Thyroid Function: The standard reference range for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is typically between 0.5 and 4.5 mIU/L. However, research shows that the optimal range for TSH is actually between 1.0 and 2.5 mIU/L. If your TSH is at the higher end of the “normal” range, say 4.0 mIU/L, you may be experiencing hypothyroid symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog – even though your doctor deems your results “normal.”
• Blood Sugar Regulation: The “normal” range for fasting blood glucose is often up to 99 mg/dL. But optimal levels are considered to be between 75-89 mg/dL. If your fasting glucose is 95 mg/dL, it may be a sign of impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance – even though it falls within the “normal” range.
• Sex Hormone Balance: When it comes to hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, the “normal” reference ranges can be incredibly broad. This makes it difficult to identify subtle imbalances that may be contributing to issues like irregular periods, PMS, or infertility.

The key takeaway here is that “normal” doesn’t necessarily mean “optimal.” As a functional practitioner, I always aim to evaluate my clients’ lab results against optimal, health-promoting ranges – not just the broad parameters used in conventional medicine.

The Importance of Comprehensive Lab Testing

Another reason your doctor may tell you your labs look “normal” is that they simply aren’t ordering a comprehensive enough panel to get a full picture of your health. Oftentimes, conventional practitioners will only run the bare minimum testing required to rule out overt disease, rather than digging deeper to uncover underlying imbalances.

Some of the key lab markers I always include in my functional assessments, but that are often overlooked by conventional doctors, include:

• Fasting Insulin: This is a crucial marker for assessing insulin resistance and blood sugar regulation – two major drivers of many common health concerns.
• Vitamin and Mineral Levels: Imbalances in nutrients like vitamin A, iron, and copper can significantly impact everything from skin health to thyroid function.
• Inflammatory Markers: Tests like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine can provide insight into underlying inflammation, which is at the root of so many chronic conditions.
• Gut Health Markers: Evaluating the health of your gut microbiome through tests like the GI-MAP can uncover imbalances that may be contributing to digestive issues, autoimmunity, and more.

By taking a more comprehensive, systems-based approach to lab testing, I’m able to identify the root causes behind my clients’ symptoms – even when their “basic” labs appear normal.

Timing is Everything: The Importance of Proper Sample Collection

The final piece of the puzzle when it comes to why your labs may look “normal” is the timing and method of sample collection. Many key biomarkers, especially hormones and stress markers, fluctuate throughout the day and month. If your doctor is only taking a single blood or saliva sample at a random time, they may be missing crucial information.

For example:

• Sex Hormones: Levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can vary significantly depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle. To get an accurate assessment, these hormones need to be tested at specific points during your cycle.
• Cortisol: As your primary stress hormone, cortisol follows a natural circadian rhythm, peaking in the morning and gradually declining throughout the day. To properly evaluate cortisol status, multiple samples need to be collected over the course of 24 hours.
• Fasting Labs: Markers like blood glucose, insulin, and lipids are best assessed in a fasted state, first thing in the morning, to avoid fluctuations from food intake.

By ensuring that lab samples are collected at the optimal times and using the right testing methods, I’m able to get a much clearer picture of my clients’ unique biochemistry and uncover imbalances that may have been missed by their conventional healthcare providers.

Putting it All Together: A Functional Approach to Lab Testing

When a client comes to me feeling unwell, my first step is to conduct a comprehensive functional lab assessment. This typically includes:

• Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA): This test provides insight into your body’s unique mineral status and how it’s responding to stress.
• Expanded Thyroid Panel: In addition to TSH, I order a full panel including free T4, free T3, and thyroid antibodies to get a complete picture of thyroid function.
• Fasting Insulin and Glucose: These markers are crucial for evaluating blood sugar regulation and insulin sensitivity.
• Inflammatory Markers: Tests like hs-CRP, homocysteine, and ferritin help identify underlying inflammation.
• Comprehensive Hormone Panel: I use the Dutch test to assess sex hormones, cortisol, and their metabolites at multiple points throughout the cycle.
• Gut Health Assessment: The GI-MAP test provides a deep dive into the health of your gut microbiome.

By taking this comprehensive, functional approach to lab testing, I’m able to uncover the root causes behind my clients’ persistent symptoms – even when their “normal” labs have left them feeling dismissed or misunderstood.

Reclaiming Your Health: The Path Forward

If you’ve been told your labs are “normal” but you still don’t feel right, I encourage you to seek out a functional health practitioner who can take a deeper dive into your unique biochemistry. Through comprehensive testing and a personalized, root-cause approach, we can uncover the imbalances that are contributing to your symptoms and develop a targeted plan to help you feel your best.

Remember, “normal” doesn’t always mean optimal. By working with a practitioner who understands the nuances of functional lab testing and interpretation, you can finally get the answers and relief you’ve been searching for.