Nearly 17 years ago, my journey into holistic health began with a few simple but powerful lifestyle changes. I shifted my diet, drank cleaner water, incorporated movement and exercise into my daily routine, and swapped out conventional personal care and cleaning products for safer, non-toxic alternatives.
These gradual changes played a huge role in my energy, vitality, and well-being, and sparked a deep desire inside to explore health and wellness more thoroughly.
The Deeper Dive into Holistic Health
What started as a personal journey soon became a professional passion. I began pursuing educational certifications in holistic and natural health, diving deeper into the root causes of health imbalances.
Over time, I discovered the world of functional health and testing—an approach that focuses on identifying underlying imbalances through advanced functional lab testing.
I became excited about with the idea that functional tests could offer a much broader and deeper insight into my health than conventional bloodwork ever could.
I learned from health experts, educators, and course advisors who strongly advocated for these labs, often downplaying the importance of routine blood tests.
I remember listening to two well-known functional health experts on a popular podcast who dismissed routine bloodwork, calling it almost irrelevant compared to the deeper insights functional testing could provide. They claimed these routine blood tests “meant diddly-squat.”
I bought into that narrative. I believed that my health was far above average, and I didn’t need bloodwork to tell me whether I was healthy or not.
At the time, I didn’t have health insurance, and paying out of pocket for bloodwork felt like an unnecessary expense. Why bother, if routine tests weren’t going to give me the full picture?
My Mistake: Dismissing Routine Bloodwork
Fast forward to 2019, when I had completed my certifications in functional health and was deep into learning about advanced lab tests.
At the time, I was convinced that functional tests alone could tell me everything I needed to know about my health. But then, six months after graduating, I attended a webinar that completely shifted my perspective.
The guest speaker on the webinar discussed the importance of routine bloodwork, outlining why it remains a critical component of any health assessment.
They explained that while functional testing is incredibly valuable, bloodwork is a foundational tool that shouldn’t be dismissed. It’s crucial for catching early warning signs, providing a baseline for long-term health, and tracking essential markers like thyroid function, blood sugar, liver health, and more.
They also shared how affordable many online, direct-to-consumer lab services had become, making it easier for self-paying consumers like me to access these important tests.
It was an eye-opener. I realized I had neglected a crucial part of my health by disregarding routine bloodwork.
The Wake-Up Call: Bloodwork Isn’t “Diddly-Squat”
Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to order a comprehensive blood panel. Honestly, it didn’t cost an arm and a leg—just a bit of blood and a needle stick lol! When the results came back, I was surprised by what I found.
My metabolism wasn’t functioning optimally, my cholesterol levels were concerning, and my thyroid—thanks to the complete thyroid panel I ordered (vs. the one and only test TSH – which on its own is actually diddly squat) was far from optimal.
I also had imbalances in my blood sugar and insulin, and my liver markers indicated that my liver health needed some attention. The liver is responsible for hundreds of functions in our body, including metabolism, cholesterol, hormone blood sugar and thyroid health regulation.
I also knew that my years prior of unhealthy lifestyle choices, chronic dieting, stress, and the onset of perimenopause were on a collision course.
These imbalances I saw in my bloodwork were a reflection of how much my body had been trying to compensate for those years of neglect.
Perimenopause was already underway, even though I wasn’t yet experiencing the typical symptoms like hot flashes or night sweats.
But the hormonal shifts happening beneath the surface had started affecting my metabolism, blood sugar regulation, liver function, and overall health.
It’s crucial to understand that menopause is not just about hot flashes and night sweats. Even women in their early 40s, who may still be having regular cycles, can already be experiencing hormonal fluctuations and imbalances.
These changes show up in bloodwork long before the more obvious symptoms of menopause.
Bloodwork is one of the best tools to catch these early warning signs, addressing potential risks to your thyroid, liver, metabolism, and cardiovascular health before they escalate.
Here’s the real kicker: while my markers fell within the “normal” range according to conventional standards, they were far from optimal when viewed through the functional health lens.
That’s when it hit me—normal doesn’t mean optimal. And when it comes to long-term health, we want to aim for optimal.
What I Learned and What I Teach My Clients
This experience taught me a valuable lesson that I now share with all of my clients: Functional tests and bloodwork are complementary, not competing tools.
You need both to get a comprehensive view of your health. Functional tests can offer incredible insights into areas that bloodwork cannot, like mineral imbalances, gut health, and hormone fluctuations.
But it’s the bloodwork that provides a crucial baseline for monitoring your overall health and catching early signs of trouble.
Bloodwork remains essential for tracking key markers like thyroid function, blood sugar regulation, stress, energy, liver health, and cholesterol—markers that play a huge role in metabolism, energy, detoxification, and more. It’s the gateway to deeper insights, helping you understand where functional testing can provide more detailed information.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Overlook Routine Bloodwork
Routine bloodwork remains foundational in providing that initial snapshot of your health and plays a critical purpose in helping you achieve true, long-term wellness.
If you’re committed to thriving, not just surviving.
In conclusion, routine bloodwork offers a great starting point for understanding your body’s overall state.
Whether you’ve been on your health journey for years or are just beginning, bloodwork can be the missing piece that helps guide your path toward optimal health and vitality.
