“Everything’s Normal… But I Feel Awful”
You’ve done the labs. You’ve made the appointments. You’ve followed every instruction, Googled every symptom, and still—your doctor looks at your results and says, “Everything’s normal.”
But you don’t feel normal. You feel exhausted. Your moods are unpredictable. Your sleep is broken, your weight is climbing, and your libido is nowhere to be found.
And here’s the truth that too few providers are willing to say: just because your lab numbers fall within a standard reference range doesn’t mean they’re optimal—or that your symptoms are in your head.
If you’re a woman in your 30s, 40s, or 50s feeling dismissed, depleted, and confused, this article is for you. It’s time to unpack what “normal” really means—and why it might be the very thing standing between you and real answers.
What Doctors Mean by “Normal”
When your doctor tells you your lab work is “normal,” they’re referring to standard reference ranges—statistical averages based on a wide population of people, many of whom may not be healthy. These ranges don’t account for age, sex, life stage, or individual biochemistry. They simply mark the outer boundaries of what’s considered “non-pathological.”
The Problem with Population Averages
- These ranges often include people who are sedentary, inflamed, or dealing with chronic conditions.
- “Normal” doesn’t equal optimal. It only means your levels aren’t considered clinically dangerous.
- Hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day and month. A single snapshot can miss the full picture.
Optimal vs. Normal
- Normal TSH range: 0.5 to 4.5 mIU/L
- Optimal TSH for many women: 1.0–2.0 mIU/L
The difference? A woman at 4.0 may be technically normal, but still feel fatigued, cold, constipated, and foggy.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic
- Institute for Functional Medicine
- Journal of Endocrinology (2022)
Symptoms Over Numbers: Why How You Feel Matters
Symptoms are your body’s language. They tell you something isn’t working, even if labs look “fine.”
Case 1: Thyroid Trouble Missed by TSH Alone
Sarah, 43, had TSH at 3.9—within range. But she had:
- Constant fatigue
- Brittle nails and hair loss
- Trouble losing weight
A full thyroid panel showed low Free T3 and high Reverse T3: classic signs of thyroid underperformance.
Case 2: Low Estrogen “In Range”
Tanya, 49, had estrogen in the low end of normal. But she was battling:
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
Her doctor said she was “fine.” A provider trained in hormone optimization recognized perimenopause and tailored bioidentical support.
Case 3: “Normal” Testosterone, No Motivation
Lisa, 38, had testosterone technically in range. Yet she felt flat:
- Zero libido
- Low energy
- No drive or muscle tone
With optimal dosing and DHEA support, she regained her spark.
Your symptoms are real data. When used alongside comprehensive labs, they can guide targeted, effective care.
The Hormone Talk You’re Not Getting
In conventional medicine, hormone conversations are often shallow—if they happen at all.
What’s Missing:
- No full thyroid panel: Just TSH, skipping Free T3, Reverse T3, or antibodies
- No cortisol rhythm testing: Ignoring stress hormone patterns that impact energy and sleep
- No assessment of DHEA, progesterone, or testosterone unless fertility is the goal
Why?
- Insurance limitations
- Time constraints in 10-minute visits
- Lack of functional medicine training
- Dismissal of “non-disease” symptoms as aging or stress
The Risk
Being told “you’re fine” leads many women to:
- Question their reality
- Accept daily suffering as normal
- Miss early opportunities for hormone support and prevention
What Optimal Looks Like: A Functional Medicine Approach
At Silk Life Medical, we believe optimal is the new normal. We combine advanced diagnostics with compassionate care to get to the root of your symptoms.
We Test:
- Thyroid: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and antibodies
- Sex Hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, SHBG, DHEA
- Adrenals: 4-point cortisol testing
- Blood Sugar & Insulin: Fasting insulin, glucose, A1C
- Nutrients & Gut: B12, magnesium, vitamin D, GI markers
We Consider:
- Monthly cycles, sleep patterns, stress load
- Gut-brain axis and inflammatory load
- Nutrient cofactors that support hormone conversion
We Optimize:
- Hormone ratios, not just totals
- Timing and rhythm of hormone secretion
- Treatment that evolves with your symptoms and life stage
Symptoms are never brushed off. They are a key part of your clinical story.
How to Advocate for Yourself
You deserve more than a shrug and a printout that says “within range.”
Ask Your Provider:
- Can we do a full thyroid panel?
- What are my Free T3, Reverse T3, and TPO antibodies?
- Can we check estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA?
- What do you consider optimal?
Labs to Request:
- TSH + Free T3 + Reverse T3 + TPO/thyroglobulin antibodies
- Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, SHBG, DHEA
- Cortisol (4-point or saliva test)
- Fasting insulin, glucose, A1C
Consider a Second Opinion If:
- You’re told your symptoms are “just stress” or “aging”
- No action is taken despite persistent issues
- You feel dismissed or unheard
Conclusion
If you’ve been told you’re “normal” but you feel anything but—you are not alone. And you are not imagining it.
Lab numbers are helpful, but they are not the full picture. You deserve a provider who listens to your symptoms, understands hormonal nuance, and partners with you to feel your best—not just survive.
Feel ignored? We hear you. Book a call and get real answers from someone who listens.
References
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Thyroid function tests and hormone evaluation.
Institute for Functional Medicine. (2023). Hormone assessment and optimization.
Harvard Health Publishing. (2023). Normal vs. optimal lab values.
Journal of Endocrinology. (2022). Functional hypothyroidism and lab limitations.
Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Women’s hormone health: A functional perspective.
PubMed. (2021). Estradiol fluctuations and symptom burden in perimenopausal women.
Journal of Women’s Health. (2022). Testosterone in women and energy regulation.
NIH. (2023). Cortisol rhythms and fatigue syndromes.
North American Menopause Society. (2022). Hormonal care beyond menopause.
American Thyroid Association. (2023). Updated guidelines on thyroid evaluation.
“Everything’s Normal… But I Feel Awful”
You’ve done the labs. You’ve made the appointments. You’ve followed every instruction, Googled every symptom, and still—your doctor looks at your results and says, “Everything’s normal.”
But you don’t feel normal. You feel exhausted. Your moods are unpredictable. Your sleep is broken, your weight is climbing, and your libido is nowhere to be found.
And here’s the truth that too few providers are willing to say: just because your lab numbers fall within a standard reference range doesn’t mean they’re optimal—or that your symptoms are in your head.
If you’re a woman in your 30s, 40s, or 50s feeling dismissed, depleted, and confused, this article is for you. It’s time to unpack what “normal” really means—and why it might be the very thing standing between you and real answers.
What Doctors Mean by “Normal”
When your doctor tells you your lab work is “normal,” they’re referring to standard reference ranges—statistical averages based on a wide population of people, many of whom may not be healthy. These ranges don’t account for age, sex, life stage, or individual biochemistry. They simply mark the outer boundaries of what’s considered “non-pathological.”
The Problem with Population Averages
- These ranges often include people who are sedentary, inflamed, or dealing with chronic conditions.
- “Normal” doesn’t equal optimal. It only means your levels aren’t considered clinically dangerous.
- Hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day and month. A single snapshot can miss the full picture.
Optimal vs. Normal
- Normal TSH range: 0.5 to 4.5 mIU/L
- Optimal TSH for many women: 1.0–2.0 mIU/L
The difference? A woman at 4.0 may be technically normal, but still feel fatigued, cold, constipated, and foggy.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic
- Institute for Functional Medicine
- Journal of Endocrinology (2022)
Symptoms Over Numbers: Why How You Feel Matters
Symptoms are your body’s language. They tell you something isn’t working, even if labs look “fine.”
Case 1: Thyroid Trouble Missed by TSH Alone
Sarah, 43, had TSH at 3.9—within range. But she had:
- Constant fatigue
- Brittle nails and hair loss
- Trouble losing weight
A full thyroid panel showed low Free T3 and high Reverse T3: classic signs of thyroid underperformance.
Case 2: Low Estrogen “In Range”
Tanya, 49, had estrogen in the low end of normal. But she was battling:
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
Her doctor said she was “fine.” A provider trained in hormone optimization recognized perimenopause and tailored bioidentical support.
Case 3: “Normal” Testosterone, No Motivation
Lisa, 38, had testosterone technically in range. Yet she felt flat:
- Zero libido
- Low energy
- No drive or muscle tone
With optimal dosing and DHEA support, she regained her spark.
Your symptoms are real data. When used alongside comprehensive labs, they can guide targeted, effective care.
The Hormone Talk You’re Not Getting
In conventional medicine, hormone conversations are often shallow—if they happen at all.
What’s Missing:
- No full thyroid panel: Just TSH, skipping Free T3, Reverse T3, or antibodies
- No cortisol rhythm testing: Ignoring stress hormone patterns that impact energy and sleep
- No assessment of DHEA, progesterone, or testosterone unless fertility is the goal
Why?
- Insurance limitations
- Time constraints in 10-minute visits
- Lack of functional medicine training
- Dismissal of “non-disease” symptoms as aging or stress
The Risk
Being told “you’re fine” leads many women to:
- Question their reality
- Accept daily suffering as normal
- Miss early opportunities for hormone support and prevention
What Optimal Looks Like: A Functional Medicine Approach
At Silk Life Medical, we believe optimal is the new normal. We combine advanced diagnostics with compassionate care to get to the root of your symptoms.
We Test:
- Thyroid: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and antibodies
- Sex Hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, SHBG, DHEA
- Adrenals: 4-point cortisol testing
- Blood Sugar & Insulin: Fasting insulin, glucose, A1C
- Nutrients & Gut: B12, magnesium, vitamin D, GI markers
We Consider:
- Monthly cycles, sleep patterns, stress load
- Gut-brain axis and inflammatory load
- Nutrient cofactors that support hormone conversion
We Optimize:
- Hormone ratios, not just totals
- Timing and rhythm of hormone secretion
- Treatment that evolves with your symptoms and life stage
Symptoms are never brushed off. They are a key part of your clinical story.
How to Advocate for Yourself
You deserve more than a shrug and a printout that says “within range.”
Ask Your Provider:
- Can we do a full thyroid panel?
- What are my Free T3, Reverse T3, and TPO antibodies?
- Can we check estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA?
- What do you consider optimal?
Labs to Request:
- TSH + Free T3 + Reverse T3 + TPO/thyroglobulin antibodies
- Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, SHBG, DHEA
- Cortisol (4-point or saliva test)
- Fasting insulin, glucose, A1C
Consider a Second Opinion If:
- You’re told your symptoms are “just stress” or “aging”
- No action is taken despite persistent issues
- You feel dismissed or unheard
Conclusion
If you’ve been told you’re “normal” but you feel anything but—you are not alone. And you are not imagining it.
Lab numbers are helpful, but they are not the full picture. You deserve a provider who listens to your symptoms, understands hormonal nuance, and partners with you to feel your best—not just survive.
Feel ignored? We hear you. Book a call and get real answers from someone who listens.
References
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Thyroid function tests and hormone evaluation.
Institute for Functional Medicine. (2023). Hormone assessment and optimization.
Harvard Health Publishing. (2023). Normal vs. optimal lab values.
Journal of Endocrinology. (2022). Functional hypothyroidism and lab limitations.
Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Women’s hormone health: A functional perspective.
PubMed. (2021). Estradiol fluctuations and symptom burden in perimenopausal women.
Journal of Women’s Health. (2022). Testosterone in women and energy regulation.
NIH. (2023). Cortisol rhythms and fatigue syndromes.
North American Menopause Society. (2022). Hormonal care beyond menopause.
American Thyroid Association. (2023). Updated guidelines on thyroid evaluation.
