What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Hormones
Hormone Health | May 15, 2025 | By Jessica Silver, APRN, FNP-C
When patients come to me after years of struggling with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and mood swings, they often share the same frustrating experience: "My doctor ran tests and said everything is normal."
This scenario plays out thousands of times daily across the country, leaving patients feeling dismissed, hopeless, and resigned to living with debilitating symptoms. But here's what your doctor isn't telling you: "normal" lab results don't always mean optimal hormone health.
The Problem with "Normal" Lab Ranges
Standard laboratory ranges are statistical averages based on the population that lab serves. These ranges are incredibly broad and simply identify disease states rather than optimal function. For example, a typical TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) reference range might be 0.5-4.5 mIU/L, but research shows that many people experience significant thyroid symptoms when their TSH is above 2.5.
Similarly, testosterone levels in men are considered "normal" if they fall anywhere between roughly 300-1000 ng/dL depending on the lab. This means a 45-year-old man with testosterone at 310 ng/dL (barely above the bottom of the range) would be told his levels are "normal," despite this being more typical of an 80-year-old man and far from optimal for vitality and well-being.
The Missing Hormones in Standard Testing
Another critical issue is that conventional doctors typically order incomplete hormone panels. For example:
- Thyroid testing often includes only TSH, missing Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies that provide crucial information about thyroid function
- Sex hormone testing frequently measures only total hormone levels without assessing free (bioavailable) hormones or metabolites
- Adrenal function is rarely evaluated despite the profound impact stress hormones have on overall hormone balance
This incomplete testing creates a fragmented picture that misses critical imbalances affecting your health.
The Interconnected Hormone Web
Perhaps the most significant oversight in conventional hormone care is treating each hormone system in isolation. Your endocrine system functions as an interconnected web where changes in one hormone affect many others.
For example:
- Thyroid hormones affect estrogen metabolism
- Insulin resistance impacts testosterone and estrogen balance
- Cortisol imbalances influence thyroid function and sex hormone production
- Estrogen and progesterone affect thyroid hormone availability
When doctors evaluate and treat hormones in isolation, they miss these crucial connections and the root causes of your symptoms.
Beyond Blood Tests: The Symptoms That Matter
While lab testing provides valuable information, your symptoms offer equally important insights into your hormone health. Unfortunately, many doctors dismiss symptoms when lab values appear "normal."
At ReNu'd You, we recognize that your lived experience matters. When patients report classic symptoms of hormone imbalance—like fatigue, weight changes, brain fog, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and low libido—we take these seriously, even when standard lab tests appear normal.
The Comprehensive Approach to Hormone Health
True hormone optimization requires a more thorough approach:
- Comprehensive testing that evaluates all relevant hormone markers
- Interpretation based on optimal ranges rather than just statistical "normals"
- Assessment of hormone interactions and their collective impact
- Validation of your symptoms as meaningful indicators of hormone function
- Personalized treatment plans that address your unique hormone patterns
This approach often reveals significant imbalances that conventional testing misses, allowing for targeted treatment that resolves persistent symptoms.
Your Path to Optimal Hormone Health
If you're struggling with symptoms despite "normal" lab results, don't give up hope. Comprehensive hormone evaluation often uncovers the hidden imbalances causing your symptoms.
At ReNu'd You, we specialize in looking beyond standard testing to identify and treat the root causes of hormone-related symptoms. Our telehealth approach makes this comprehensive care accessible regardless of your location.
Don't settle for feeling "less bad" when you could feel truly well. Schedule a consultation today to discover what your doctor isn't telling you about your hormones.
