When “Normal” Labs Don’t Tell the Whole Story: Finding Validation on Your Health Journey

As a board-certified allergy/immunology/lifestyle medicine physician and a life coach, I’ve dedicated my career to helping people navigate the complex world of immune system disorders –– from allergies and autoimmune diseases (like my own Sjogren’s and dysautonomia) to mast cell activation and everything in between!

And in my work –– both as a doctor and a patient –– I see a common thread: feeling unheard and unseen. Have you ever poured your heart out to a doctor, describing debilitating symptoms, only to be told, "Your labs are normal"? Or, even worse, "It's probably just stress"? If so, you are not alone.

The Disconnect: Why Normal Labs Don’t Always Mean You’re Fine

Our current healthcare system, especially the insurance-based model, relies heavily on objective data – lab tests, imaging, numbers. While these tools are valuable, they don’t always tell the whole story, especially when it comes to the immune system.

Here’s why:

• Not all labs are created equal: Many standard lab ranges are based on studies of primarily white male populations –– not exactly representative of everyone!
• The immune system is complex: It’s a vast communication network, constantly adapting and responding. Dysfunction can be subtle, involving complex cellular interactions that routine tests just aren’t designed to detect.
• Short appointments hinder in-depth conversations: It’s hard to unpack those nuances and complexities in a 10-15 minute visit!

So, “normal” labs don't mean nothing’s wrong –– it could mean the tests didn’t capture the full picture, or that more specialized testing is needed.

Listen to Your Body: It’s Talking To You!

Your body speaks through symptoms. Fatigue, pain, brain fog, rashes, digestive issues, breathing problems – these are all signals! It’s your immune system trying to tell you something.

I learned this lesson myself. During medical training, I became a master at ignoring my body’s signals – pushing through exhaustion, dismissing aches, even delaying bathroom breaks (hello, intern year UTI!). But ignoring those whispers doesn’t make them go away. Eventually, in my case, they became screams I could no longer ignore (severe liver inflammation anyone?)!

This disconnect – this culture of ignoring – can contribute to burnout and chronic illness. Listening to your body isn’t weakness, it's wisdom. It requires creating space for self-reflection and noticing those subtle changes before they become overwhelming.

The Power of Validation: True Healing Begins with Belief

When a patient shares their symptoms, believing their experience is crucial –– even if the science isn’t clear yet! Dismissing symptoms because they don’t fit neatly into diagnostic criteria or correlate with “normal” labs is incredibly damaging. It erodes trust, invalidates their reality, and delays healing. I’ve been dismissed myself. It takes time, curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to look beyond the surface – all things I’m so committed to in my practice, as both a doctor and a fellow patient.

Fostering Validation: Solutions for Patients & Doctors

For Patients:

• Keep advocating for yourself!
• Keep a detailed symptom journal.
• Seek second (or third!) opinions.
• Share your story – your voice matters!
• Bring an advocate to appointments.

For Professionals:

• Cultivate deep listening skills.
• Acknowledge limitations of current tests.
• Approach complex cases with curiosity.
• Trust patients’ lived experiences.
• Advocate for systemic change – we need more time with patients!

Listen, Believe, Heal: Your Body Knows Best

True healing begins when we listen to our bodies, respond with kindness and compassion (and without judgment!), and believe the reality of our experiences.

Need Support? You’re Not Alone!

Connect with others in my free Facebook groups (Becoming Immune Confident Community and Success with Sjogren's Sisterhood) and download my free Immune System Disorders Pre-Appointment Workbook!

Have you felt dismissed or invalidated on your health journey? What helped you finally feel heard?

Share your experience and insights – let’s support each other! And don’t forget to subscribe for more!