You’re Not Broken. You’re Misinterpreted.

Functional Medicine is detective work. It’s the kind of work most doctors don’t have time for — not because they don’t care, but because they’re trained to triage, diagnose, and manage disease within tight time constraints.

They glance at your blood work, see it falls “within range,” and move on. “Your labs are normal. You’re fine.”

But you don’t feel fine. You feel exhausted after a full night’s sleep. Your jeans no longer fit even though your diet hasn’t changed. Your hair is thinning. Your focus is gone. Your cycle is off. Your gut is unpredictable. Something’s off — and you know it.

Here’s the core problem: Conventional lab reference ranges are built from averages of the general population — and that population is largely unwell.

So when your TSH is 4.0, or your HbA1c is 5.7, your doctor may say “it’s still normal.” But normal compared to whom? Would you want to compare your health to the sickest person still technically alive?

Functional Medicine doesn’t settle for “not sick.” It asks: Is this optimal? Is this balanced? Is this moving you toward vitality — or further from it?

Let’s break down 5 of the most misunderstood blood markers and what they actually mean:

1. TSH at 4.0
   

   Lab says: “Normal”
   You feel: Cold, tired, losing hair, gaining weight
   Functional range: 1.0–2.5
   Why it matters: TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) rises when your thyroid starts struggling. High-normal TSH often points to early thyroid dysfunction, often driven by nutrient depletion (selenium, iodine, iron) or autoimmunity (Hashimoto’s). Waiting for it to cross the “disease” threshold misses the opportunity for early, proactive support.

2. HbA1c at 5.7
   

   Lab says: “Not diabetic yet”
   You feel: Cravings, fatigue after meals, brain fog, weight gain around the middle
   Functional range: 4.9–5.3
   Why it matters: This is insulin resistance in motion. It’s a metabolic warning sign. Your cells are becoming numb to insulin, leading to blood sugar swings that affect your energy, mood, sleep, and hormones. You may still “pass” the test, but your body is already out of balance.

3. Ferritin at 15
   

   Lab says: “Not anaemic”
   You feel: Heavy fatigue, brain fog, brittle nails, hair loss
   Optimal range for women: 60–100
   Why it matters: Ferritin reflects iron storage — and iron is critical for oxygen transport, mitochondrial function, and hair growth. Even if your haemoglobin is fine, low ferritin means your cells are gasping for energy.

4. Vitamin D at 30
   

   Lab says: “Not deficient”
   You feel: Low resilience, frequent colds, PMS, low mood
   Functional range: 50–80
   Why it matters: Vitamin D is technically a hormone, not just a vitamin. It modulates immune function, mood, calcium absorption, and hormonal balance. The standard threshold is about avoiding rickets — not achieving thriving health.

5. CRP at 3.0
   

   Lab says: “Within normal limits”
   You feel: Achy, inflamed, puffy, fatigued
   Optimal range: <1.0
   Why it matters: CRP (C-reactive protein) reflects systemic inflammation. Even a mildly elevated CRP contributes to aging, hormonal resistance (especially to thyroid and insulin), and increased risk of chronic disease.

Here’s what all this means: You’re not broken. You’re just being assessed with the wrong lens.

Functional Medicine isn’t an alternative. It’s advanced interpretation — of symptoms, timelines, and data. It doesn’t treat numbers. It connects dots.

🧬 I don’t diagnose disease or promise healing. I help you see what’s out of balance, and what to do about it. I will give you the map. You decide to take the journey.

Because the ultimate goal isn’t just to get you back to “fine.” It’s to help you feel like you again: → Energised. Clear. Confident. Strong. Glowing. Fully present in your life.

Does it resonate with you ? Are you ready to stop guessing?