What We Look for in Your Bloodwork (and How We Read It Differently)

Discover how functional medicine goes beyond standard lab ranges to reveal early imbalances, root causes, and a path toward real healing.

Introduction: Why 'Normal' Bloodwork Doesn’t Always Mean You're Healthy

Have you ever been told, “Your labs are normal,” even though you feel anything but?

You’re exhausted, gaining weight, anxious, or constantly bloated—but your doctor says everything looks fine. You leave the office feeling confused, frustrated, and dismissed.

This experience is common. Standard lab interpretations often overlook early dysfunction because they rely on statistical averages, not optimal health ranges. They ask: Is this disease present now? Not: Is your body thriving?

Functional medicine changes that. We look for patterns, early warning signs, and deeper meaning in your labs—even if you're technically "in range." Your bloodwork can tell a story—if you know how to listen.

Part 1: The Difference Between 'Normal' and 'Optimal' Lab Ranges

✅ Conventional Lab Ranges

These are based on the average results of the general population—including people with undiagnosed illness, inflammation, obesity, or chronic disease.

If you fall within this wide range, you’re considered “normal”—even if you’re only one decimal point away from dysfunction.

✅ Functional Medicine Optimal Ranges

These are narrower, based on where the body functions best—balanced hormones, steady energy, strong immunity, good sleep, and mental clarity.

We’re not just checking if you’re sick. We’re asking:

• Are you headed toward burnout, autoimmunity, or hormone dysfunction?

• Is your body compensating for stress or nutrient depletion?

• Are there patterns across labs pointing to early dysfunction?

This shift from disease detection to health optimization is a game-changer.

Part 2: The Blood Tests We Use in Functional Medicine

Here’s what we evaluate—and how we interpret them differently:

🧪 CBC with Differential (Complete Blood Count)

Conventional use: To rule out infection or anemia.

Functional insights:

• Low-normal WBC? Possible chronic infections or immune suppression.

• High eosinophils? Could signal parasites or allergies.

• Low hemoglobin with normal ferritin? Check for inflammation blocking iron usage.

🧪 CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel)

Conventional use: To assess liver, kidney, and blood sugar function.

Functional insights:

• ALT/AST in range but >20? May reflect liver burden from toxins or estrogen.

• Slightly low albumin? Could mean poor protein intake or gut malabsorption.

• Glucose "normal" at 99? That's a red flag for early insulin resistance.

🧪 Lipid Panel with Advanced Markers

Conventional use: To check cholesterol and cardiovascular risk.

Functional insights:

• Low total cholesterol (<150)? Potential hormone or vitamin D synthesis issue.

• High triglycerides with low HDL? Classic sign of insulin resistance.

• Particle size (advanced panel)? Small dense LDL is more dangerous than standard LDL.

🧪 Thyroid Panel (with Free T3, Reverse T3, Antibodies)

Conventional use: Only TSH is typically tested.

Functional insights:

• TSH of 3.8 may be “normal,” but we consider >2.5 a potential issue.

• Free T3 low but TSH okay? You may not be converting thyroid hormone properly.

• Reverse T3 elevated? Your body may be under stress, blocking active thyroid use.

• Positive TPO antibodies? Autoimmune thyroid (Hashimoto’s) may be brewing.

🧪 Inflammatory Markers

CRP (C-reactive protein):

• <1 mg/L = optimal

• 1–3 = mild inflammation

• 3 = active systemic inflammation

Homocysteine:

• Elevated levels can indicate B12, B6, or folate deficiencies, methylation issues, and cardiovascular risk.

🧪 Nutrient Panels

We often test for:

• Ferritin (iron storage): Low = iron deficiency; High = possible inflammation.

• Vitamin D: Optimal = 50–80 ng/mL, not just >30.

• B12: Low-normal (<500) may still cause fatigue and brain fog.

• Magnesium: Serum magnesium is tightly regulated—RBC magnesium gives better insights.

We correlate symptoms, lifestyle, and other markers to assess true nutrient status.

Part 3: How We Use Bloodwork to Find the Root Cause

Unlike conventional medicine, functional medicine doesn’t look at labs in isolation. We connect the dots across multiple systems to reveal root causes.

🔍 1. Patterns of Dysfunction

We don’t just ask, “Is your TSH high?” We ask:

• Is your TSH creeping upward AND your ferritin trending downward?

• Is your blood sugar rising while triglycerides and CRP are also up?

• Is there a low-normal B12, low albumin, and low hemoglobin?

These patterns tell a story of inflammation, gut issues, adrenal stress, or poor detoxification—even when each individual lab looks “ok.”

🔋 2. Nutrient Depletion from Stress or Gut Issues

• Low magnesium + elevated cortisol = burnout in progress

• Low B12 + high MCV = possible gut malabsorption or lack of intrinsic factor

• Low iron with heavy periods = hormone imbalance and poor absorption

🔁 3. Subclinical Thyroid or Insulin Resistance

Your TSH, glucose, and insulin might be in the “normal” range—but your energy, weight, mood, and cycles tell a different story.

We identify subtle shifts before they become disease—and support you proactively.

Part 4: Real Examples of Functional Blood Analysis in Action

🌟 Case 1: Leah, 37 – Fatigue + Hair Loss

• Conventional labs: Normal TSH and ferritin

• Functional findings:

  • Free T3: Low

  • Ferritin: 35 (normal lab range is 12–150, but optimal is 70–90)

  • Elevated reverse T3

Plan: thyroid support, iron optimization, adrenal care
Outcome: Energy and hair restored in 3 months

🌟 Case 2: Brian, 42 – Brain Fog + Weight Gain

• Labs:

  • Glucose: 98

  • Triglycerides: 180

  • HDL: 38

  • ALT: 29

Functional view: early insulin resistance, fatty liver risk
Plan: low-glycemic nutrition, metabolic support, liver detox
Outcome: 18 lbs lost, blood sugar normalized, brain clarity returned

🌟 Case 3: Jasmine, 28 – Anxiety + PMS

• Labs:

  • B12: 420

  • Homocysteine: 12.5

  • CRP: 2.8

Functional insights: poor methylation and high inflammation
Plan: methylated B vitamins, anti-inflammatory diet, stress support
Outcome: anxiety and mood swings resolved, cycle normalized

Part 5: What to Do with the Information—Personalizing the Plan

Once we decode your bloodwork, we create a personalized protocol tailored to your root cause patterns.

✅ This may include:

• Targeted supplements: B12, iron, magnesium, omega-3s

• Gut support: if signs of malabsorption or inflammation

• Thyroid/adrenal balance: if hormonal patterns suggest stress

• Liver support: if detox or hormone metabolism is impaired

• Lifestyle changes: to regulate blood sugar and inflammation

We don’t treat the lab—we treat you. But your labs help us understand where your system needs the most support.

Conclusion: Your Labs Are Talking—Are You Listening?

If you’ve been told your bloodwork is “fine,” but you still feel off… there’s more to the story.

Functional medicine bridges the gap between disease and health—between surviving and thriving. We don’t wait for you to get sick. We listen, investigate, and optimize based on your body's signals.

📅 Ready to understand your bloodwork in a whole new light?
Schedule your functional lab consultation and let’s get to the root of what your body is trying to tell you.