Optimizing Health with Bloodwork
Introduction
It’s all too common for women to visit the doctor and feel dismissed. But on those occasions when we are heard and taken seriously, the typical response is to order a standard, often limited, panel of blood tests to figure out what might be wrong. This panel usually consists of some combination of complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), TSH marker, lipid panel, and Vitamin D, at best. Even getting these tests run can be a challenge. And to make matters worse, the ranges that labs and doctors use to interpret these results are often not very helpful. These ranges are broad and compare you to the average population—which, as I often tell my clients, is problematic, considering our population is becoming sicker. Bloodwork is frequently viewed in black-and-white terms: either you're very sick or you're fine.
Now, don’t get me wrong—I love doctors. They save lives every day and have an enormous impact on our health. But when it comes to preventative care and addressing patient concerns in-depth, they sometimes fall short. It's often not their fault. They're crunched for time and may not have the resources or education to focus on preventative health. They don’t have the bandwidth to check if you’re getting 10,000 steps a day, eating balanced meals, or managing your emotional well-being.
The Functional Health Approach to Bloodwork
As a functional health coach, one of the most powerful tools I’ve added to my toolkit is the ability to interpret standard bloodwork from a functional perspective. That means the bloodwork you get done annually by your doctor can be brought to me to uncover deeper insights, red flags, and healing opportunities. The key difference? I’m not diagnosing diseases or illnesses—I’m looking at your health holistically. I care about you as a whole person, digging into your medical history and lifestyle habits, and offering recommendations from a functional, holistic viewpoint.
What Does Functional Bloodwork Look Like?
When I run bloodwork, I don’t just stop at what your doctor typically orders. I recommend at least 70 markers to get a comprehensive view of your entire system. Your body isn’t a collection of isolated parts—it’s a beautifully interconnected system, and we need to look at it that way to ensure the whole orchestra plays in harmony.
About two weeks after your blood and urine samples are collected, I receive the results, review your intake forms, and create a custom protocol tailored to your needs. This all comes together in a take-home document, and we’ll go over it in detail during a 75-minute lab review session. In these sessions, I remind my clients that I’m not diagnosing anything. Additionally, I use functional ranges—what’s optimal for the human body rather than comparing you to the general population. I look for trends, not just whether you’re in or out of range. Even if you're about to go out of range, that provides valuable information. We're searching for red flags and patterns. For example, if several out-of-range markers point to liver stress or a B12 deficiency, it’s safe to assume these may be contributing to your symptoms or overall health challenges.
The Root Causes I Commonly See
Root causes can vary, but I often see patterns like dehydration, liver or kidney stress, adrenal fatigue, nutrient deficiencies (like B vitamins), inflammation, chronic infections, insulin resistance, and more.
I have had a client with chronic acne see major changes in her skin health by addressing the healing opportunities we saw on her blood work – clear dehydration and mineral imbalance. Another client experiencing digestive discomfort completed her blood draw, and we were able to identify gut-related bacterial and parasitic loads that were causing some of her immune markers to go out of range.
Why Bloodwork Is a Game Changer
One of the best things about bloodwork is that it is relatively affordable—about $255 compared to other functional labs that often cost over $350. It also offers a detailed look at how your body is functioning and highlights areas for improvement.
When I ran my blood work, I uncovered chronic infections, adrenal stress, dehydration, mineral imbalances, kidney and liver stress, patterns indicating exposure to metals or mold, GI stress, and a need for B vitamins—all from one test! This gave me a wealth of information and opportunities for healing. I embarked on a six-month healing journey without needing to be poked and prodded multiple times.
Is Bloodwork Right for You?
Yes, bloodwork is right for everyone because it is such an incredible window into your overall health. Even the basic bloodwork your doctor will run for you can provide you with great information. I always recommend looking for a functional practitioner if you hear the following from your doctor: “I know you say you have symptoms, but everything looks good on your bloodwork,” or something to that effect. Bloodwork is powerful when you use the right lens to look at it. It can help you transform and optimize your health or at least get you headed in the right direction.
Conclusion
Bloodwork is one of the most accessible yet underutilized tools for gaining insights into your health. When viewed through a functional lens, it becomes a powerful resource for identifying underlying imbalances and guiding you toward optimal wellness. Whether you're experiencing symptoms or simply want to be proactive about your health, a functional interpretation of your bloodwork can uncover valuable information that might otherwise go unnoticed. Taking the time to understand your body on a deeper level can open the door to long-lasting, meaningful change—and set you on the path to feeling your best.
With support,
Isabella
