Your Blood Tests Are “Normal”. But Are They Actually Optimal?

You’re exhausted. Your hair is shedding. Your period has changed. You know something isn’t quite right, but your blood tests come back “normal”. So… what does that actually mean?

“Normal” doesn't mean there’s nothing to look at

Reference ranges are useful, but they don't tell us everything about you.

Your age. Your sex. Your stage of life. Your symptoms. Your health history.

Are you trying to conceive? Pregnant? Postpartum? Perimenopausal? Taking hormonal contraception? Taking medications or supplements?

Have your periods changed? Are you experiencing fatigue, hair loss, digestive symptoms or changes in your mood?

These things can all change the way we look at your results.

Take your thyroid, for example.

Looking at your TSH can give us useful information, but depending on your symptoms and individual circumstances, there may be more to consider, such as free T4, free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

And hormones are another good example.

Your reproductive hormones fluctuate throughout your cycle, so an oestradiol, progesterone, FSH or LH result doesn't mean much without knowing when it was tested and what was happening in your cycle.

Were you ovulating?

What day of your cycle were you on?

Are you taking hormonal contraception?

What symptoms are you experiencing?

Context matters.

So, what does this mean for you?

This is where naturopathic consultations can be really valuable.

We don't just look at your blood results and tick off what's “normal”.

We look at you as an individual, your symptoms, health history, cycle, lifestyle, diet, medications and your blood work, then we start putting the pieces of the puzzle together.