Your Blood Tests Are Only Part Of Your Solution

Pathology reviews are an integral part of every consultation at Renew Health Co. because understanding your results is the key to understanding your health.

Many people don’t realise that blood tests are actually the last place that signs of dysfunction appear. By the time something shows up in your results, your body has already been working hard to compensate for an imbalance for quite some time.

That’s why we don’t simply look for what’s “out of range.” We're looking for clues to understand what might be quietly manifesting because our goal is to prevent health problems, not treat them once they've manifested.

Three blood sample tubes with yellow caps on a medical chart background

Beyond Normal: Why "Normal Ranges" Create a False Sense of Security

The standard reference ranges used by most GPs are based on population averages - not on what’s optimal for vibrant, balanced health.

In other words, you don’t want to be “normal,” because normal simply means you fall somewhere within the average of everyone tested - including people who are unwell.

At Renew Health Co., we interpret your results using functional and optimal ranges. This gives us a clearer picture of what your body truly needs to prevent issues before they arise, not just treat them once they do.

What We Look For In Your Results

These are the subtle shifts that are often overlooked or dismissed with reassurance that "everything is fine", because they still sit inside the standard range - but they're trending toward imbalance.

Results That Are "Screaming"

These are markers that sit far outside optimal range and need attention right away. They’re your body’s way of waving a red flag that something deeper is going on. For example:

  • Very high CRP or ESR may show unresolved inflammation.
  • A sharp drop in iron and ferritin can signal poor absorption or hidden blood loss.
  • Extremely low Vitamin D can affect hormone health, mood, and immunity.

These results give us clear direction on what your body needs support with immediately.

Preventative Patterns

These are the subtle shifts that often get dismissed as “fine” because they still sit inside the standard range - but they’re trending toward imbalance. For example:

  • A rising fasting insulin with normal glucose may reveal early blood sugar dysregulation.
  • A ferritin level that’s technically normal but steadily decreasing could hint at iron depletion before anaemia sets in.
  • Thyroid markers (TSH, Free T3, Free T4) sitting on the edges of normal can suggest sluggish function long before symptoms worsen.

By identifying these trends early, we can act before they turn into symptoms or disease.

Correlations Across Tests

Your body’s systems don’t work in isolation, so neither should your test interpretation. We connect the dots between markers to understand "why" a result looks the way it does. For example:

  • Low ferritin paired with low zinc and B12 often points to poor digestion or nutrient absorption.
  • Elevated liver enzymes alongside high uric acid may reveal detoxification overload.
  • Thyroid changes combined with high cortisol markers can explain fatigue or anxiety that standard testing misses.

Looking at these correlations allows us to see the bigger picture - how one imbalance influences another - and tailor your plan to restore overall harmony.

The Story Between the Numbers

Every blood test tells a story about how your body is functioning day to day. We don’t just read the data; we translate it into plain language so you can understand what it means and what to do about it.

This is where functional medicine differs: we interpret results in the context of your lifestyle, symptoms, stress levels, and nutrition. It’s about recognising patterns early, supporting your body to self-correct, and keeping you well - not waiting for something to go wrong.

Why Blood Tests Are Often the Last Place Imbalance Shows Up

Most people think of blood tests as the ultimate measure of health, but in reality, blood is one of the last places that imbalance or disease will appear.

This is why, at Renew Health Co., we use your pathology results as just one piece of the puzzle. By interpreting them alongside your symptoms, lifestyle and history, we can uncover the hidden trends that standard testing alone may miss.

  • Blood is a Late Indicator

    Your body works hard to keep the blood within a tight balance, even when other tissues are struggling. This process, called homeostasis, means that by the time changes appear in your blood, the imbalance has often been present in your cells for weeks, months, or even years.

  • Homeostasis Hides Early Dysfunction

    Your body will borrow nutrients from storage, shift minerals, or alter hormone output to maintain stable blood readings. These compensations can make your results look “normal” even when you’re not feeling well.

  • Not Everything Circulates in Detectable Form

    Many markers of stress, inflammation, or toxicity happen at a cellular level and don’t always show up in standard tests. What we can measure in the blood is only a snapshot of a much bigger story.

  • Oxidative Changes After Collection

    Once a sample is drawn, exposure to oxygen and handling can alter certain values; particularly delicate nutrients or antioxidants, which may slightly distort the true picture.

  • Lag Time Before Detection

    Blood results often show the effects of imbalance after the body has already been adapting for a long time. That’s why relying on bloodwork alone can miss the earliest warning signs.

  • Standard Pathology Scope is Limited

    Conventional testing is designed for diagnosing disease, not measuring optimal wellness. It looks for dysfunction once it’s clinically significant; not while it’s developing.

What Blood Tests Should I Get Before My Consult?

Full Blood Examination

Provides a baseline view of your red and white blood cells, haemoglobin levels and general immune activity. Can indicate infection, inflammation or deficiencies.

Uric Acid

Reveals acidity in the body, kidney function, hydration and inflammation levels. Elevated uric acid can indicate risks for gout, kidney stones or cardiovascular issues.

Fasting Insulin

One of the earliest indicators of metabolic dysfunction. This test can reveal problems with blood sugar regulation long before glucose or HbA1c become abnormal.

CRP & ESR

Inflammatory markers that help identify tissue damage and inflammation within the body. Chronic elevation can signal ongoing stress or silent disease processes.

Homocysteine

Gives insight into your body’s methylation and detox pathways, while also serving as a marker of cardiovascular risk.

Full Thyroid Panel

TSH alone isn’t enough. For a comprehensive assessment, you need:

  • TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
  • Free T4
  • Free T3
  • Thyroid antibodies (to check for autoimmune thyroid conditions)

Vitamin D

Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” this is essential for:

  • Bone strength and density
  • Hormone health (including thyroid and reproductive hormones)
  • Immune resilience
  • Mental health and mood stability

Ferritin

Often thought of as an iron-storage marker, but it’s also a strong indicator of liver function. Low or high ferritin can point to issues with inflammation, liver health, or nutrient absorption.

Magnesium RBC

Unlike serum magnesium, which only reflects what’s circulating in your blood at the time, this test measures the amount of magnesium inside red blood cells. This provides a more accurate picture of your magnesium status - crucial for energy, muscle health, and nervous system balance.

Vitamin B12

Essential for nerve function, red blood cell production and energy metabolism. Borderline levels may still cause fatigue or brain fog.

Folate

Important for cell repair, DNA synthesis and methylation. Low folate can impact energy, mood, and detoxification.

Zinc

Supports immune function, skin integrity and wound healing. Low levels can reflect poor absorption or increased demand due to stress or inflammation.

Hand in a white glove holding a test tube with blood sample against a light background

Need to Organise Blood Tests Before Your Consult?

If you haven’t had blood tests in the past 3 - 6 months, we recommend organising them before your appointment. These results allow us to create a more complete picture of your current health.

While your GP can order many of these tests, it’s important to know that standard medical practice is focused on diagnosing disease - not necessarily preventing it. For that reason, some GPs may be reluctant to order certain markers if there isn’t a clear clinical need.

If you’re comfortable paying privately, i-Medical offers a convenient way to access the exact tests you’d like without needing a referral. This gives you the freedom to explore your health more deeply, and without feeling questioned about your choices.

Ready to Gain Clarity from Your Results?

Your results hold powerful clues about your current and future health. We’ll help you interpret them in a way that makes sense - empowering you to take confident, proactive steps toward balance and vitality.

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