“Why Am I Still Unwell?” The Truth About Conventional vs. Functional Testing for Hormone and Gut Health
A few years ago, I was deep in a cycle of hormonal chaos. I wasn’t looking for a diagnosis — I just wanted clarity. I suspected that my hormones were out of balance, or that something deeper was happening with my gut. So, I booked a doctor’s appointment, asked for a few basic tests, and… got a “no, why would you need that?”
It felt like I was asking for too much — when I only wanted to understand my body. I remember hanging up the phone confused and feeling unheard, unseen, and a little crazy for asking in the first place. But I didn’t stop there. I kept digging, paid for tests myself, and started interpreting results on my own — because no one else was going to do it for me..
That journey led me to functional medicine, and a completely different way of approaching my health. If you’ve ever felt dismissed by the system or told your labs are “normal” when you know something’s not right — you’re most certainly not the only one. And you’re not imagining it.
You’re Not Crazy — You’re Just Stuck in the Wrong System
Many millennial women are waking up to the realisation that the conventional medical model wasn’t built to support us in the way we need — especially when it comes to complex, long-term issues like hormone imbalance or gut health concerns.
If you’ve ever been told…
“Your labs are normal.”
“It’s probably just stress.”
“Let’s try the pill or an antidepressant.”
“Come back if it gets worse.”
…you’ve likely experienced the limits of conventional testing.
What Is Conventional Testing?
Conventional testing is the standard medical testing used by GPs and specialists. It’s effective for identifying acute illness or disease, but not always for catching subtle imbalances that don’t qualify as “sick enough.”
It’s designed to:
Rule out serious conditions
Check for abnormalities outside of a defined reference range
Diagnose based on black-and-white thresholds
Examples:
Thyroid testing (often only TSH)
Iron panels
Liver and kidney function tests
Basic hormone checks (if you’re lucky!!)
The problem? These tests are often interpreted in isolation, and the “normal” ranges are based on averages — not on what’s optimal for you.
What Is Functional Testing?
Functional testing takes a more root-cause, systems-based approach. It asks:
“How is this person functioning? What’s driving their symptoms?”
It looks at how your body’s systems — hormones, gut, liver, detox pathways, inflammation — are working together and dynamically.
It’s designed to:
Identify early imbalances before disease sets in
Look at patterns, not just red flags
Help you understand why you feel off — even if your conventional tests are “normal”
Examples might include:
Comprehensive hormone panels
GI mapping for microbiome health
Stress and adrenal assessments
Inflammation and detoxification markers
(We’ll get into the best ones in my next post.)
Conventional vs. Functional Testing
Purpose
CT: Diagnose disease, rule out major issues
FT: Identify root causes and imbalances
Reference Range
CT: Based on population averages
FT: Based on optimal health ranges
Approach
CT: Isolated markers
FT: Whole-body systems approach
Interpretation
CT: Normal/abnormal
FT: Functional, nuanced, trend-focused
Accessibility
GP-ordered, covered by insurance
Private or practitioner-referred, often out-of-pocket
Practitioner Type
CT: GP, specialist
FT: Functional doctor, naturopath, health coach
Ideal For
CT; Urgent or diagnostic care
FT: Chronic, unexplained, or subclinical symptoms
Why This Matters for Gut and Hormone Health
Hormones and the gut are two of the most interconnected and dynamic systems in the body — and the ones most likely to be dismissed by conventional care until a “diagnosable” issue occurs (like PCOS, IBS, or autoimmune disease).
But what about:
Cycle irregularities before you’re diagnosed with anything?
Bloating, brain fog, or fatigue that doesn’t show up on standard tests?
Symptoms that fluctuate with your menstrual cycle, stress, or digestion?
These are exactly the kind of concerns that functional testing is built to explore.
Alternate Forms of Medicine: A Complement, Not a Competition
Exploring functional medicine or alternate forms of testing doesn’t mean rejecting conventional care. It means acknowledging its limitations — and choosing to go deeper.
Alternate approaches (like functional medicine, integrative health, or naturopathy) are more likely to:
Look at your full health history
Ask about your lifestyle, stress, diet, and environment
Test more holistically
Offer personalised support, not just symptom suppression
It’s not either/or. It’s both/and — with you in the driver’s seat.
When to Consider Functional Testing
You might want to explore functional testing if:
You’ve been told your labs are normal, but you still feel off
You’re dealing with fatigue, mood swings, gut symptoms, or irregular periods
You want a proactive, personalised approach — not just a pill
You’re tired of being dismissed or told “come back when it’s worse”
You’re ready to understand your body, not just treat your symptoms
From Frustrated to Empowered
Looking back, that rejection from my GP — the “You don’t qualify for that test” moment — was actually a turning point. It forced me to ask harder questions, seek better answers, and eventually become my own health advocate.
If you’re in that same place — frustrated, tired, and starting to question the system — I see you.
You are not crazy. You are not unreasonable. And you are absolutely allowed to keep asking questions. And you should when it comes to you and your body!
So now you know what functional testing is. But how do you know which ones are right for you? That’s exactly what I’ll be covering in my next post, The Top 5 Functional Tests for Women’s Hormones.
With love and balance, my Friends x
