Why 'Normal' Isn’t Always Optimal: Understanding Your Blood Test Results

“Your results are normal.”

It’s meant to be reassuring, right? But what happens when everything looks normal on paper, yet you still feel exhausted, foggy, anxious, or just not yourself?

If you’ve ever left a doctor’s office thinking, “But I still don’t feel right,” you’re not imagining things. Let me explain why that happens (and why it’s one of the most common things I hear as a naturopath!).

Normal… But for Who, Exactly?

Here’s the deal: pathology labs create normal ranges based on averages across the general population, not necessarily healthy, thriving individuals, but a broad mix of people, many of whom may already have underlying symptoms or imbalances.

Translation? You could technically fall within the “normal range” and still be feeling flat, sluggish, hormonal, anxious, and inflamed — because “normal” doesn’t mean optimal.

What’s the Difference Between Normal and Optimal?

Normal means you fall within the statistical average. You might be scraping the lower or upper limits, but unless your results are flagged, they’re marked as fine.

Optimal means your body is functioning at its best — energy flows, hormones are balanced, digestion’s humming along, and your system feels strong, resilient, and in sync.

In my practice, we’re not just looking for numbers that tick a box. We’re searching for what’s ideal for you — based on science, how you feel, and your unique health story.

Real-Life Example: Iron Levels

Let’s take iron — one of the most misunderstood blood tests:

• Your lab might say a ferritin level of 30 is fine.

• But optimal energy, hair growth, and immunity? Research suggests many people feel best when ferritin is closer to 70–100 and above, especially for women.

So technically, you’re “normal”… but still battling fatigue, brain fog, hair loss, or low immunity.

Why This Matters for Your Health

When we only focus on lab averages, we risk missing the early whispers your body is sending. That means:

✔ Fatigue that gets dismissed
✔ Hormonal imbalances left unchecked
✔ Gut issues that linger
✔ Mental health struggles that feel unexplained

You deserve more than just normal — you deserve to feel your best.

What We Do Differently

As a naturopath, I combine your test results with your symptoms, history, lifestyle, and how you actually feel. Together, we look beyond the numbers to:

✔ Uncover root causes of imbalance
✔ Aim for optimal, not just “within range”
✔ Support your body naturally to restore balance and vitality

The Bottom Line

If you’ve ever felt brushed off because your results were “normal,” you’re not alone. Your intuition matters. Your symptoms matter. And optimal health is possible when we take the whole picture into account.

Ready to explore what optimal looks like for you? Book your personalised consult today — let’s get you thriving, not just scraping by.

Like this post? Share it with someone who’s been told they’re “normal” — but knows deep down, there’s more to the story.