Why Your Blood Tests Keep Coming Back 'Normal' — But You Don’t Feel Well
You've done all the right things. You’ve gone to your GP, asked for blood work, and waited (sometimes weeks) for the results.
Then comes the frustrating conclusion:
“Everything looks normal.”
But deep down, you know something isn’t right. You still feel exhausted, foggy, inflamed, bloated, or flat — and now, on top of it all, you’re questioning your own experience.
If you’ve ever been told your results are “fine” while your body feels anything but, you’re not alone — and you’re not imagining it.
When “Normal” Isn’t Optimal
Blood tests are valuable, but they have limitations. The standard reference ranges used in most pathology labs are based on population averages — not on what’s optimal for you as an individual.
What this means:
A test result within the “normal” range doesn’t always mean your levels are ideal.
“Normal” can include people with poor health or chronic illness.
Hormonal shifts, especially during perimenopause, may be technically normal but completely out of balance for your body.
In clinical practice, this gap between normal and optimal explains why so many women are dismissed, misdiagnosed, or left to “just deal with it.”
Common Symptoms That Get Overlooked by Standard Blood Work
If your labs are clear but you’re still feeling off, you might be experiencing:
Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
Weight gain or bloating with no dietary changes
Mood swings, anxiety, or low mood
Brain fog or memory lapses
Irregular cycles or worsening PMS
Poor sleep, especially waking between 2–4 am
Dry skin, hair shedding, or brittle nails
These symptoms often fall through the cracks in standard testing — especially for women in their 30s to 50s, navigating hormonal transitions.
5 Reasons Standard Blood Tests Miss the Bigger Picture
1. Reference Ranges Are Too Broad
The "normal" range for things like thyroid hormones, iron, or vitamin D is wide — but what’s optimal for you may sit at the higher or lower end. For example:
A TSH of 4.0 might be “normal,” but many women feel best between 1.0 and 2.0.
Iron or ferritin may be technically within range but still too low for energy, mood or hormone metabolism.
2. Incomplete Testing
Many GPs run basic screens but don’t check deeper markers. For example:
A thyroid test that only checks TSH misses crucial markers like Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies.
A hormone panel that ignores progesterone can miss perimenopause entirely.
3. Timing Is Off
Hormones fluctuate throughout the month. If tests aren’t done at the right time (for example, Day 21 of your cycle for progesterone), the results can be misleading or meaningless.
4. Functional Imbalances Don’t Show Up Yet
Functional medicine looks at how well your systems are working — not just whether disease is present. Often, symptoms appear years before diseases are diagnosed. Traditional blood tests may not show early-stage dysfunction.
5. No One’s Interpreting the Patterns
Numbers in isolation don’t tell the full story. You need a practitioner who can interpret trends across multiple systems and connect your symptoms to what’s happening inside.
What We Do Differently at Urban Sense Wellness
When women come to me after being told everything is “normal,” I don’t start from scratch — I build on what’s already been done, and then go deeper.
Our 3-Step Approach:
Step 1: Investigate
Thorough case history — including symptom timelines, diet, stress, sleep, and cycle patterns
Functional testing if needed: hormone panels, gut health assessments, thyroid function, and nutrient status
Review of existing blood work through a functional lens (what’s optimal, not just what’s normal)
Step 2: Integrate
Tailored natural treatment plans
Targeted nutritional support and herbal medicine
Lifestyle strategies based on your life, not a generic protocol
Step 3: Restore
Ongoing reviews to track progress and fine-tune your plan
Education, support, and real results over time — not quick fixes
Explore how we work on our
Naturopath Consultations page
Testing That Goes Beyond the Basics
Some of the functional and pathology testing we offer as part of your care plan includes:
Comprehensive hormone panels
Nutrient and thyroid assessments
Advanced gut microbiome testing
Genetic testing (3X4 or FitGenes)
Oligoscan mineral and heavy metal analysis
Metascan body composition analysis
Each test is recommended based on your personal needs, not a one-size-fits-all package.
Learn more about our testing under Naturopath Consultations and Who I Work With.
You Know Your Body Best
If you feel off — even when your test results don’t reflect it — that matters. Your experience matters.
The problem isn’t that nothing’s wrong. The problem is the tools being used are too limited to see the full picture.
That’s where personalised, integrative care makes all the difference. You deserve to be listened to, supported, and guided with respect for your body’s unique rhythms and needs.
Ready to Get Real Answers?
If you’re done feeling dismissed and want clarity on what’s really going on beneath the surface:
→ Book a consultation
→ Explore the programs
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