What Your Labs Should Be Telling You (But Your Doctor Never Explained)

Corinne Curran, FNP-C, Vitality Health + Wellness

Have you ever been told:

“Your labs are normal.” Yet you still feel tired, bloated, moody, or stuck with stubborn weight you can’t lose?

You’re not crazy. You’re not lazy. You’re just being underserved by generic lab testing and rushed explanations.

At Vitality Health + Wellness, we don’t settle for “normal.”We go deeper—because your symptoms deserve answers.

The Problem with “Normal” Labs

When most primary care offices run labs, they use standard reference ranges—aka the averages from the general population. But here’s the issue:

• Most lab ranges are too wide

• They don’t reflect optimal health

• They miss patterns of early dysfunction (like insulin resistance, thyroid imbalance, or hormone shifts)

So yes—your results might be “within range”…but they’re not actually serving you.

Let’s Break Down What We Look At (That Most Don’t):

1. Functional Thyroid Testing

Most doctors only test TSH. But that’s just one signal.

At Vitality, we look at:

• Free T3

• Free T4

• Reverse T3

• Thyroid antibodies (TPO, TGAb)Because if your TSH is normal but your Free T3 is low—you’ll still feel tired, gain weight, and struggle to lose it.

  
  

2. Advanced Hormone Panels (for women & men)

If you’ve been dismissed for “hormonal symptoms” just because your estradiol or testosterone came back in range—you’ve been failed.

We look at:

• Progesterone, estradiol, DHEA, testosterone

• Ratios between hormones, not just levels

• Cortisol patterns + how stress is impacting your metabolism

Did you know? Low progesterone (common after age 30!) can cause anxiety, irritability, and sleep disruption—even if your estrogen is “normal.”

3. Inflammation + Metabolic Health Markers

We check for:

• hs-CRP (low-grade inflammation)

• Insulin & C-peptide

• HOMA-IR (insulin resistance index)

• Hemoglobin A1c

• Homocysteine (linked to brain fog, methylation, mood)

These numbers help us predict disease early—and guide weight loss, hormone therapy, and supplement support before problems escalate.

4. Nutrient + Gut Health Clues

Many of your symptoms could be tied to micronutrient depletion or digestive dysfunction—even if your CBC is “normal.”

That’s why we also evaluate:

• Vitamin D

• B12

• Ferritin (iron storage)

• Zinc, magnesium, potassium

• Liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT for detoxification)

• GI-MAP testing when needed

This Is What Functional Medicine Does Differently

Instead of asking:

“Is this lab normal?”

We ask:

• “Is this lab optimal for you?”

• “Does this result match how you’re feeling?”

• “What pattern is this showing us?”

It’s root-cause medicine. It’s data-backed. It’s personalized.

Real Example:

A patient came in feeling exhausted, bloated, and stuck. Her PCP said her labs were “fine.”We ran:

• Full thyroid panel → Low Free T3

• Hormones → Low progesterone, high estrogen

• Insulin → Elevated fasting insulin

• Ferritin → Low (but not anemic)

With targeted support (meds, supplements, and a real plan), she lost 18 lbs, regained her energy, and felt herself again in 3 months.

Want Answers? Here's What We Offer:

Functional Lab Packages:

• Women’s & Men’s Wellness Panels

• Gut, adrenal, and detox testing

• Methylation + nutrient optimization panels

Includes:– Personalized review with Corinne Curran, FNP-C– Supplement plan– Optional GLP-1 or hormone therapy recommendations– Available in-office or via telehealth

Final Thought

You deserve more than 10 minutes and a "you're fine."You deserve answers, clarity, and a plan that actually works.

Book your consult now or text 909-329-3255 to get started.

Because your health is vital—and your labs should reflect that.