Why 'Normal' Lab Results Don't Mean You're in Optimal Health

Have you ever been told by your doctor that your lab results are ‘normal’—but you still feel tired, inflamed, or just… off?

You’re not alone. Many people experience symptoms that affect their daily lives, yet their blood work doesn’t show anything ‘wrong.’ Here’s why ‘normal’ doesn’t always mean optimal and how to truly uncover what’s happening in your body.

woman doing a lab work — Is your blood lab normal, but you still have chronic symptoms that are persistent?

How Are Lab Ranges Determined?

Most people assume that if their blood test results fall within the ‘normal range,’ they’re in good health. But what many don’t realize is that lab reference ranges are based on the average population that the lab serves. Who gets tested the most?

Generally, people with health concerns—those experiencing metabolic disorders, inflammation, or chronic illness.

When labs calculate their reference ranges, they average out these results. So if the majority of the tested population has less-than-ideal health, the normal range shifts accordingly.

a bell curve image — Where is your health at?

This means that what’s considered ‘normal’ today might have been flagged as problematic decades ago when the population was healthier. Think of it like this:

Let’s say you live in an unhealthy town where most people have metabolic dysfunction. Your doctor tells you that your lab results are fantastic—because your numbers are better than the town’s average. But does that really mean you’re in great health? No! It just means you’re slightly better off than a generally unhealthy population. This is why relying on ‘normal’ lab ranges can be misleading.

The Problem with ‘Normal’ Labs

If the population your lab serves is largely dealing with chronic health issues, the reference ranges will reflect that. This can create a false sense of security. Here’s an example:

If most people getting tested have higher blood sugar levels due to poor diet and metabolic dysfunction, the lab’s ‘normal’ range for glucose might shift higher over time.
If you’re developing insulin resistance but your levels fall within this ‘normal’ range, your doctor may say everything looks fine—when in reality, you’re on the path to a metabolic disorder.

Two boys stand in front of a trailer. One wears a yellow shirt and hat, the other a navy tracksuit. The setting is a sunny, rural road. — Are your health better than the average in your town?

This is why ‘normal’ lab results don’t always mean optimal health. You could be trending toward disease without realizing it simply because your numbers aren’t flagged as ‘abnormal’ yet.

Optimal vs. Normal: What’s the Difference?

Normal ranges are based on the average population—which, as we’ve established, isn’t necessarily a picture of vibrant health. Optimal ranges, on the other hand, are based on what’s truly best for long-term health and disease prevention.

For example:

A ‘normal’ fasting blood sugar level might be 99 mg/dL, but an optimal range for metabolic health is closer to 75-85 mg/dL.
A ‘normal’ TSH level might be 4.0 uIU/mL, but optimal thyroid function is often closer to 1.0-2.0 uIU/mL.

This is why functional practitioners like me focus on optimal health markers rather than just settling for ‘normal.’

The Best Way to Uncover What’s Really Going On

If blood work alone isn’t giving you answers, what’s the solution? The best approach is to pair blood chemistry with Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA).

Blood Labs show real-time markers, giving you insight into what’s happening right now in your body.
HTMA reveals long-term trends—showing how your body has been functioning over the past 3+ months. It helps identify mineral imbalances, adrenal function, and even heavy metal toxicity.

Together, HTMA + Blood Labs provide a powerful way to uncover the root causes of fatigue, inflammation, brain fog, hormonal imbalances, and more. Instead of guessing, you get data-driven insights to understand what’s truly happening in your body.