What Your Blood Work Really Says About Your Health

Blood work isn’t just numbers – it’s your body speaking in data. Here’s how to understand what those results might really mean for your health.

Why Blood Work Matters and Why It’s Often Incomplete

When your doctor orders blood work, it’s usually with a specific purpose in mind ruling something out, checking a treatment’s progress, or confirming a suspected condition. But here’s the catch: most panels are basic by design. They’re meant to check the most urgent boxes, not to give a full picture of your health.

That means you can walk away with “normal” results while still feeling anything but normal.

What Your Doctor Might Overlook

Doctors focus on numbers that are out of range. If your results land just inside the “normal” window, they may be dismissed,  even if they’re trending in the wrong direction or outside your personal baseline.

For example:

• Thyroid panels are often limited to TSH, missing markers like Free T3 or Reverse T3 that could reveal hidden imbalances.

• Iron levels might be “fine” according to the lab range, but not optimal for energy, cognition, and hormonal balance.

• Vitamin D may be technically normal but too low for immune resilience and bone health.

These details make a difference, and it’s understandable that they get missed when you don’t have the time or space to fully discuss your symptoms..

Red Flags vs. Patterns to Track

One high or low reading isn’t always cause for alarm. What matters most is often the pattern over time.

Red Flags:

• Sharp changes from your usual baseline

• Critical highs or lows that require immediate follow-up

• Results paired with new or worsening symptoms

Patterns to Watch:

• Gradual shifts in iron, B12, or vitamin D over several tests

• Consistent “low-normal” thyroid function with fatigue and weight changes

• Inflammatory markers creeping up without clear explanation

💡 Tip: Keep your own copy of every lab report. Over time, you’ll start to see trends that a single test can’t reveal.

How to Advocate for Deeper Testing

You have the right to understand your health fully and that includes asking for tests beyond the basic panel.

Here’s how to start the conversation:

• “Can we run a more complete thyroid panel, including Free T3 and Reverse T3?”

• “I’d like to check my ferritin levels along with standard iron.”

• “Could we add markers for inflammation like CRP or homocysteine?”

• “I’ve had these symptoms for a while - what else could we check to find the root cause?”

• “I’m concerned about Lyme disease. Could we order a Western Blot in addition to the standard ELISA test?” (The ELISA test can miss early or chronic Lyme, so adding a Western Blot may provide a clearer picture.)

If your doctor is hesitant, you can request the tests be ordered “self-pay” or work with a practitioner who specializes in functional or integrative medicine.

How I Support Clients with Interpretation

I’m not here to replace your doctor, I’m here to bridge the gap between “here are your results” and “here’s what you actually do next.”

When we review your labs together, we:

• Look at your numbers in context with your symptoms, history, and lifestyle

• Track patterns over time to see whether you’re improving or declining

• Identify areas where deeper testing might be helpful

• Translate medical jargon into clear, actionable steps

I also coordinate with your care team so your doctor’s plan is easier to follow and so your real-life habits align with your medical needs.

The Bottom Line

Your blood work is a story in numbers but only if you read beyond the headlines. By noticing trends, asking for more complete testing, and working with someone who can translate the results into a plan, you can move from “reactive” health care to proactive, empowered living.

Let's Chat

📅 Book a Lab Review Session if you want a clear, personalized understanding of your latest results and a strategy for what to do next.