When Normal Isn’t Optimal:
5 Things to Explores to Better Understand Your Body
Your labs might look "normal"—but your body doesn’t feel that way. Sound familiar?
In traditional medicine, lab tests often focus on diagnosing active disease. In functional medicine, we look at patterns and trends to catch imbalances earlier, before they progress.
This guide is here to help you have empowered conversations with your healthcare team, while also understanding how a root-cause approach can give you deeper insight into your body’s needs.
Use these reflections and questions to better understand your results, explore new angles, and advocate for care that fully supports your health journey
The 5 Empowered Considerations
1. Where do my results fall within the range, and what does that mean for me personally?
Lab ranges are based on population averages—not necessarily what’s optimal for you. Ask about where you land in the range and what that means in the context of your unique health history and symptoms.
Functional medicine looks at "optimal" rather than just "normal." Trends matter.
2. How do these labs connect to the way I’m feeling?
Your symptoms tell a story. Even if labs fall within range, they might not explain why you feel fatigued, foggy, or off balance. Open a conversation about how your test results align (or don’t) with your lived experience.
In functional medicine, symptoms are clues that guide deeper investigation.
3. Are there additional tests or markers that could provide a clearer picture?
Standard panels check major concerns, but they might miss early imbalances. Explore if advanced testing—like nutrient panels, hormone tests, inflammatory markers, or gut health assessments—could add more clarity.
Functional medicine expands testing to reveal what basic labs might overlook.
4. What lifestyle changes can I make now to support my health?
Even if there’s no clear diagnosis, nutrition, stress management, movement, and sleep can all play a big role in how you feel. Ask your provider what steps you can take today to support your well-being.
Functional medicine emphasizes lifestyle as powerful, proactive medicine.
5. What is the plan if my symptoms persist?
Understanding next steps helps you feel more in control. Clarify what follow-up looks like if you continue experiencing symptoms, and ask about timelines for reassessment.
In functional medicine, we monitor progress over time, looking for shifts and improvements beyond single test results.
Your health is a partnership. Use these reflections to stay curious, open-minded, and proactive. And remember: "normal" doesn’t always mean optimal. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into your labs and your body's signals, I’d love to help.
If you want to connect the dots on your labs and symptoms, let’s review them together.
What happens on your Clarity Call:
We’ll get straight to the point—what’s going on in your body, what’s been keeping you stuck, and where you actually want to be.
We’ll explore if working together is the right next move (no pressure, just real talk).
You’ll leave with clarity on your best next step, whether that’s a deeper dive with me or another route that makes sense for you.
No overwhelm, no guessing—just answers, insight, and a clear direction forward.
Your body is talking. Let’s make sure it’s heard.
2025 © Copyright Integrative Wellness NP. All Rights Reserved.