Why ‘Normal’ Blood Tests Don’t Always Mean You’re Fine.
Ever been told your blood tests are ‘normal’, but you still feel like absolute rubbish?
You’re exhausted, foggy, moody, or constantly getting sick - but apparently, everything looks good on paper?
You’re not alone.
And honestly? This happens way too often.
The Problem with Standard Lab Ranges.
Here’s the thing:
Standard lab reference ranges are based on population averages - and let’s be real, the average person getting tested isn’t exactly thriving.
Just because you fall within these ranges doesn’t mean you’re functioning at your best.
There’s a big difference between being “in range” and being optimal.
A Real-Life Example (That Might Sound Familiar).
Let’s talk about one of my recent clients:
Male, early 40s
Struggling with fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, restless legs, and getting sick all the time
He’d had his blood tests done, and his GP told him everything was fine.
But when I looked at them? I was shocked.
His B12 was sitting at 242 pmol/L
His active B12? 57 pmol/L
Technically within this labs reference range but considered ‘low’ in research ranges (Hannibal et al., 2016) - and scarily low for a meat eater.
At these levels, you’re already at risk of:
Fatigue
Brain fog
Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
And the big one: irreversible nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
Peripheral Neuropathy Can Start at These Levels.
Research shows neurological damage can occur even at B12 levels below 250–300 pmol/L (Lindenbaum et al., 1988).
So, while the labs said “fine,” his body was screaming otherwise.
But Wait… There’s More (Vitamin D Edition)
His vitamin D? Scraping by at 54 nmol/L.
Technically “normal” - but barely.
And the kicker? These tests were taken in summer - the season of peak vitamin D exposure.
At that level, vitamin D can impact:
Immune function
Mood regulation
Energy levels
Muscle strength and pain
Again - not flagged, but definitely not optimal.
Why Standard Ranges Are So Misleading
Lab ranges are based on the average results of the people who get tested - and who gets these tests? Mostly people who are already unwell or trying to figure out what’s wrong.
They’re also designed to catch disease states, not optimise your health.
That means:
An 18-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man are judged by the same reference ranges - even though their bodies and needs are totally different.
This Is Why I Take a Bio-Individualised Approach.
Your bloods need to be read in context - through the lens of your symptoms, your body, and your life.
And more importantly?
When markers are borderline low, we need to ask: why?
Is it malabsorption?
Could it be coeliac disease (which I wouldn’t rule out here, considering his iron levels)?
Is it autoimmune?
A genetic SNP affecting B12 metabolism?
You have to follow the breadcrumbs - because that’s how we get to the root cause.
And that’s how we get you feeling better.
Feeling Dismissed by ‘Normal’ Bloods?
Don’t settle for average. Aim for optimal.
I offer 1:1 consults where we go deeper, interpret your bloods differently, and connect the dots between your symptoms and your lab results.
Let’s get you some real answers.
Jess - Melbourne Naturopath
Reference
Allen L. H. (2008). Causes of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. Food and nutrition bulletin, 29(2 Suppl), S20–S37. https://doi.org/10.1177/15648265080292S105
Hannibal, L., Lysne, V., Bjørke-Monsen, A. L., Behringer, S., Grünert, S. C., Spiekerkoetter, U., Jacobsen, D. W., & Blom, H. J. (2016). Biomarkers and Algorithms for the Diagnosis of Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Frontiers in molecular biosciences, 3, 27. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2016.00027
Lindenbaum, J., Healton, E. B., Savage, D. G., Brust, J. C., Garrett, T. J., Podell, E. R., Marcell, P. D., Stabler, S. P., & Allen, R. H. (1988). Neuropsychiatric disorders caused by cobalamin deficiency in the absence of anemia or macrocytosis. The New England journal of medicine, 318(26), 1720–1728. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198806303182604
