Optimal Health is More Than Just Normal Blood Work Results
- Kate and Amanda
Many people don’t realize that just because your blood work comes back as “normal” doesn’t always mean that everything is alright.
Have you ever gone to the doctor because you’ve been dealing with some new symptoms, only to have blood work come back as “normal”? This has been the case for me in the past on multiple occasions, so I completely understand how crappy it can make you feel! Personally, I even had one gynecologist tell me that my lack of periods for the last 5 years were “all in my head” 😳
The reality here is “normal” blood work rarely tells the whole story of what’s going on in the body!
Blood tests are typically used to measure the levels of certain substances in the blood, like hormones, cholesterol, glucose, and electrolytes, as well as markers of inflammation and other important indicators of health. While these tests can tell us a lot about our physical well being, they don’t take into account the other factors that contribute to wellness, like:
- Lifestyle
- Diet
- Stress, and
- Environment
In the example that I shared about not having a period for 5 years, the ONLY consideration was my blood work. There was no conversation about any of the lifestyle factors, so although as a result I can’t tell you what the real issue was, I can tell you there was a LOT of stress in my life during those 5 years! (Which hearing that the problem was all in my head didn’t help!)
This experience was before I understood the body and women’s hormones. Before I found holistic and natural health options. From a holistic perspective, when someone is dealing with symptoms or health challenges, there’s always a cause. Finding the root cause is the first step that’s so important and often overlooked. Finding the cause is exactly how we at Aligned Natural Health can help!
Blood work can provide us with a general indication of someone’s health, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. In order to get a true picture of someone’s health, we need to take into account lifestyle factors, mental health, and sometimes even environmental factors. It’s only then that we can begin to understand the root cause of someone’s health challenges and take steps to address them.
From a holistic perspective, natural methods can be used to help regulate hormones. These methods include dietary changes, stress reduction, lifestyle modifications, and nutritional supplements.
Making dietary changes can help balance hormones. This includes eating a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and lean proteins. It is also important to limit processed foods and sugar intake as they can disrupt hormone balance.
Reducing stress levels is also important to regulate hormones. This can be done through activities like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing.
Lifestyle modifications such as getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly, and avoiding toxins can also help balance hormones.
Finally, taking nutritional supplements can help in replenishing nutrients the body needs. Working with a practitioner to find the exact, right supplements for YOU and YOUR body can help avoid the need for guessing and wasting money on unnecessary supplements that can actually make you feel worse.
If you’ve had your blood work come back normal but you’re still dealing with persistent symptoms, take the next step and explore holistic health to get help finding the cause of your issues. Book an assessment below!