Microbiome Moment: When "Normal" Isn't Optimal: What Your Labs Can Reveal About Digestion

I was sitting in the GI doctor's office when I heard, "Well, your labs look normal, and your colonoscopy didn't reveal anything that really explains your chronic constipation."

I left with a diagnosis of IBS-C (IBS with constipation).

Have you ever been told, “Your labs look normal,” but you still feel bloated, tired, or can’t lose that last 10 pounds?

You’re not alone. I can’t tell you how many times I heard that phrase working in conventional medicine — and now, as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, I hear it from clients all the time.

Everything looks fine on paper… yet their body is clearly saying otherwise.

It’s so important for us to stop and listen. The symptoms we experience are our body’s way of speaking to us…letting us know that something’s off.

Most “normal” lab ranges aren’t based on what’s optimal for your health — they’re based on population averages. And when you start to interpret those same results through a functional lens, you can uncover powerful clues about how well your digestion and metabolism are really working.

Let’s talk about what your everyday bloodwork might be trying to tell you about your gut.

Normal vs. Optimal

When you see a reference range on your lab report, it’s comparing your numbers to a large population, many of whom are already dealing with chronic illness, stress, or nutrient deficiencies.

So when your doctor says your results are “normal,” it often just means you’re not outside the average. But average isn’t always healthy, and it definitely isn’t optimal.

In my practice, I look for optimal ranges. These are the values that reflect strong digestion, steady energy, and balanced metabolism. This functional approach can turn an “everything looks fine” report into a clear guide for what your body actually needs.

What Functional Lab Analysis Can Reveal

Even your standard labs — the ones you already get through your primary care provider — can reveal important clues. Here’s what they can tell us:

1. How well you’re digesting and absorbing nutrients
2. How effectively you’re metabolizing fats and detoxifying
3. Whether chronic or systemic inflammation may be playing a role in your symptoms
4. Signs of microbiome imbalance or the need for liver and digestive support

A Real-Life Example

One client came to me exhausted, bloated, and frustrated that her labs were “normal.” But when we looked more closely, a few things stood out to me. Her total protein, alkaline phosphatase, and one of her lipid markers were all on the lower end of the range.

From a functional perspective, this was telling a story: her digestion wasn’t breaking down and absorbing nutrients effectively, and her liver and gallbladder likely needed more support to process fats.

We focused on gently improving her stomach acid, adding digestive support to help her better absorb protein and fat-soluble nutrients, and including more nutrient-dense foods in her meals. Within a few weeks, her energy improved, her bloating went away, and she started feeling like herself again — all without another prescription or elimination diet.

Why This Matters

You don’t always need expensive functional testing to start understanding your body. Sometimes, the information is already right there, you just need someone who knows how to look at it differently.

That’s what I love about this work. My background as a nurse taught me how to analyze data, and my work in nutritional therapy taught me how to uncover the why behind it.

A Different Way to Look at Labs

Here’s how I approach lab reviews in my practice:

• I look for patterns, not just individual numbers.
• I compare what’s “normal” to what’s optimal.
• I connect those markers to symptoms — so you can understand what your body’s trying to tell you.
• Most importantly, we turn that information into small, realistic steps that help you feel better.

If your labs have ever said “normal,” but you still don’t feel that way — it’s not all in your head. Your digestion, nutrient absorption, and energy may just need a little support.

📥 Want to start supporting your digestion right now?
Grab my FREE 5-Day Gut Rescue Plan — complete with simple, doable steps to help your gut (and energy) feel better this week.
Get it here.

💬 Want to chat more about what this could mean for you?
Click here to schedule a free discovery call so we can discuss how your symptoms might be holding you back and what we can do to help you feel like yourself again.

Here’s to finding what optimal feels like.

xo,

MaryRose

The Microbiome Mom

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_{Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is intended for inspirational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Nothing in this blog is intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. Consult with your healthcare provider before making any dietary, lifestyle, or supplement changes, and do not forego or delay seeking medical attention based on the information shared in this blog. Please always consider your personal situation and do your own research.}