🧪 What Your Lab Tests Really Mean (and Why You Should Care)

Catie Chung PhD RN
Apr 18
3 min read

Hey there! ☕️ Pull up a chair, because we’re about to demystify one of the most confusing parts of healthcare: lab results.

Whether you’re managing a chronic condition, checking in on your hormones, or just trying to stay on top of midlife wellness 🧘‍♀️—knowing what your lab numbers mean is next-level self-care.

🧬 Why Lab Tests Matter

Lab tests are like your body’s check engine light. 🔧 They help detect small issues before they become big ones—and we all know midlife doesn’t have time for big ones.

Think of them as:

Early-warning signs 🚨
Maintenance indicators 🛠️
Health empowerment tools 💪

As Gen Xers juggling work, caregiving, and hormonal mood swings, we deserve to feel confident and informed when we see those test results. ✨

🧪 The Most Common Lab Tests (and What They Tell You)

Here’s a breakdown of what usually gets tested—and why it matters:

🩸 Complete Blood Count (CBC): Checks red & white blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets—great for spotting anemia, infections, and more.
💓 Lipid Panel: Measures cholesterol (HDL = good, LDL = bad) and triglycerides. Important for your heart health.
🍭 Blood Glucose Test: Screens for blood sugar issues and helps monitor or diagnose diabetes.
🦋 Thyroid Function Tests: Evaluates thyroid hormone levels—because fatigue, mood swings, and weight changes might not just be "midlife."
🧪 Liver & Kidney Function Tests: Measures how well your detox and filtration systems are doing. Vital stuff.

🧠 How to Read Lab Results Without Being a Healthcare Pro

When you get your lab report, you’ll usually see a "reference range" next to each number. Here's what that means:

✅ Within Normal Range: You’re in the clear (for now).
🔽 Below Normal: Could mean a deficiency, organ issue, or something to monitor.
🔼 Above Normal: Might signal inflammation, infection, or a red flag that needs more testing.

BUT HERE’S THE THING 👉 Not all “normal” ranges are created equal.

⚖️ Standard Lab Ranges vs. Functional Medicine Ranges

Here’s the tea: Most lab ranges are built by taking the average results from a big chunk of the general population—and spoiler alert—that population includes people who are not feeling their best. 😬

So when your doctor says “You’re normal,” that could just mean:

You're average… for a group of people who might be dealing with diabetes, fatigue, inflammation, or early chronic illness.
You're not “sick enough” to need medication (yet).
You're on the edge, but still technically in the safe zone.

Functional medicine looks at those same lab results but through a tighter lens. Instead of asking “Are you surviving?” it asks:🧠 Are you thriving?💪 Are your numbers optimal—not just passable?

👉 For example:

A standard TSH (thyroid) range might be 0.5–5.0
A functional medicine practitioner might say optimal is 0.5–2.0

That smaller window helps catch imbalance earlier—especially important if you’re dealing with symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, brain fog, or weird weight changes that “don’t show up in your labs.”

✍️ What to Do After You Get Your Lab Results

You’ve got the numbers—now what? Here’s how to turn them into power moves:

🎯 Your Next Best Steps:

📥 Request a copy of your results and save it in your personal health folder (digital or print—whatever works).
🔍 Ask questions. Don’t leave the office until you understand what each result means for you.
📊 Compare to functional ranges. Especially if you’re having symptoms and being told everything is “fine.”
🧘 Track trends over time. One result is a snapshot; trends are the real story.
🍎 Make one healthy tweak. Whether it’s food, sleep, movement, or meds—small changes, big difference.
🧑‍⚕️ Schedule follow-ups. Stay on top of re-testing or next steps if something’s off.
🧭 Trust your gut + science. Use your lived experience and your lab data to guide choices.

🛋️ Bottom Line from the Front Porch

Understanding your labs isn't just about numbers—it's about owning your health story. You're the CEO of your body. The labs? Just part of the dashboard.

So take a breath, pour another cup of coffee, and know that you’ve got this. 💯

xoxo,

Catie