Why “Normal Labs” Don’t Mean You’re Healthy
- LeNae Goolsby
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
If you’ve ever been told, “Your labs look normal” — while you still feel exhausted, foggy, or unlike yourself — you’re not alone. For many women over 35, this frustrating cycle is all too familiar. The truth is that “normal” labs don’t always mean optimal health. In fact, the conventional healthcare system often overlooks the subtle imbalances that can drastically affect your energy, hormones, mood, and quality of life.
That’s where functional medicine changes the story.
What “Normal” Really Means in Lab Work
When your doctor orders bloodwork, the results are compared against what’s called the reference range. This range is based on the averages of the general population — not on what’s actually optimal for vibrant health.
Here’s the catch: if the average population is tired, stressed, overweight, or dealing with chronic illness, then “normal” reflects that. So yes, you may technically fall within the reference range, but that doesn’t mean your body is thriving.
Example:
A “normal” thyroid test might not pick up the subtle hormone shifts that cause fatigue, brain fog, or weight resistance.
A “normal” blood sugar reading may not reveal the early warning signs of insulin resistance that make it harder to lose weight or maintain steady energy.
In functional medicine, normal is not the goal. Optimal is.
Why Women 35+ Need More Than “Normal”
As women enter their mid-30s and beyond, their bodies go through profound hormonal and metabolic shifts. These changes don’t always register as “abnormal” on standard lab panels, but they create symptoms that impact daily life.
Some of the most common complaints I hear from women are:
“I’m so tired, even after sleeping 8 hours.”
“My brain feels like it’s in a fog.”
“I can’t lose weight no matter what I try.”
“My moods are all over the place.”
Conventional labs may dismiss these symptoms as “just aging” or “stress.” But in reality, they can be signs of underlying imbalances in thyroid, cortisol, insulin, or sex hormones that require a deeper look.
Functional Medicine: Looking for the Root Cause
Instead of asking, “Are your labs normal?”, functional medicine asks:
Where are your numbers in relation to optimal health?
What patterns do your labs reveal when viewed together?
How do these results connect to your symptoms, lifestyle, and history?
This root-cause approach shifts the focus from “band-aiding” symptoms to uncovering what’s actually driving them.
For example:
A woman struggling with weight resistance might have “normal” thyroid labs — but when we look deeper, we see elevated reverse T3 (a metabolic brake) triggered by chronic stress.
Another woman may have “normal” estrogen, but it’s not balanced with progesterone, leading to sleep disruption, heavy cycles, or mood swings.
This kind of pattern recognition is what functional medicine excels at — and it’s why women who’ve felt dismissed elsewhere finally feel seen here.
The Role of the Mind-Body Connection
Numbers alone don’t tell the full story. The way you think, the stress you carry, and the beliefs you hold about your health play a powerful role in how your body functions.
That’s why my approach integrates empowered mind-body coaching inspired by my book Think and Live Longer. When you address not only what’s happening physically, but also the mental and emotional patterns that hold you back, you create a foundation for lasting transformation.
What This Means for You
If you’re tired of being told “everything looks fine” while you know deep down something is off, it’s time for a different path. Functional medicine doesn’t stop at “normal.” It digs deeper, looking at your labs, your lifestyle, and your mindset to design a personalized plan that helps you:
Restore steady energy throughout the day
Clear brain fog and regain mental sharpness
Balance hormones naturally
Break through weight resistance
Feel confident and empowered in your own skin
“Normal” should never mean barely getting by. You deserve optimal health, not just a number on a chart.
At Infinite Health Functional Medicine Center, our mission is to help women 35+ move beyond the limits of conventional care — and step into vitality, balance, and longevity.
👉 Ready to stop settling for “normal” when you don’t feel normal? Book your Initial Consult ($397) today and take the first step toward uncovering the root cause of your symptoms.
Comments