The Functional Medicine Approach to Unexplained Symptoms

Unexplained symptoms—like fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, or digestive issues—can be deeply frustrating when traditional lab results come back “normal.” This disconnect often stems from how conventional medicine defines “normal”: lab reference ranges are based on statistical averages, not optimal health. So even if your results fall within the accepted range, they may not reflect what’s ideal for your body2.

Standard tests also tend to look at isolated markers at a single point in time, missing dynamic patterns and interactions between systems. For example, hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day and across cycles, and a single blood draw may not capture imbalances that affect sleep, energy, or mood. Similarly, conventional panels often overlook micronutrient deficiencies, gut health indicators, mitochondrial function, and subtle inflammatory responses—all of which can contribute to persistent symptoms2.

Functional medicine takes a broader, systems-based view. It uses advanced testing and detailed histories to explore how different areas of the body—like the gut, hormones, immune system, and detox pathways—interact. This approach helps uncover root causes that traditional methods might miss, offering a path forward for people who feel unwell despite being told they’re “fine.”