The Truth About Hormones & Health

Lea Brainard
Apr 7
4 min read

Updated: May 17

Why “Normal” Lab Ranges Aren’t Always Enough—and What Functional Medicine Can Teach Us About Optimal Hormone Balance

When it comes to our health, hormones are the behind-the-scenes conductors of everything, from mood and metabolism to sleep and sexual function. Yet for many people, especially those experiencing fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, or low libido, the standard medical response is frustratingly dismissive: “Your labs look normal.”

But what if normal isn’t the same as optimal? What if the ranges used to determine “healthy” hormone levels are based more on statistical averages than on what actually helps us feel and function at our best?

These are questions that Dr. Neal Rouzier explores in his groundbreaking book Normal Isn’t Optimal. Through decades of research and clinical practice, he makes a compelling case: we’re vastly underestimating the role of hormones in long-term health—and misinterpreting what it means to have “normal” levels. Let’s break down the truth about hormones and health, and why a more functional, evidence-based approach might be the key to unlocking energy, clarity, and resilience at ANY age.

1. Understanding the Role of Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate nearly every biological process in the body. Produced by glands like the thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, testes, and pancreas, they help facilitate:

Energy production and metabolism
Mood regulation and cognitive function
Growth, repair, and immune response
Reproductive health and sexual function
Sleep-wake cycles and stress adaptation

When hormones are in balance, we feel steady, focused, and energetic; however, when even one part of the system falls out of sync, the ripple effects can show up in subtle, and not-so-subtle, ways.

2. The Problem with “Normal” Lab Ranges

If you’ve ever had your hormones tested and been told “everything looks fine,” yet still felt off, you’re not alone.

“Normal isn’t optimal. Just because your labs fall within the average doesn’t mean your body is functioning at its best.” — Dr. Neal Rouzier, Normal Isn’t Optimal

The standard ranges most labs use are based on broad population averages—not functional health. They reflect what’s common, not necessarily what’s ideal. And that distinction matters

3. The Functional Medicine Approach: Treating the Person, Not the Numbers

Functional medicine shifts the focus away from disease management and toward root cause resolution. That includes understanding how hormones interact with your unique lifestyle, stress load, genetics, and environment.

Functional providers consider not just whether your numbers are “in range,” but whether they support optimal energy, mood, cognition, metabolism, and longevity.

4. The Case for Hormone Optimization

Dr. Rouzier and others in the functional medicine world advocate for carefully monitored bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) when clinically appropriate, not just for symptom relief, but also for long-term protection.

“We’re not talking about superdosing. We’re talking about restoring hormones to where they were when you felt your best—often in your 20s or 30s.” — Dr. Neal Rouzier

Research supports the benefits of optimized levels of:

Estradiol in reducing osteoporosis and cardiovascular risk
Testosterone in improving mood, muscle tone, and libido
Progesterone in supporting sleep, brain function, and emotional resilience

5. Common Signs Your Hormones May Be Out of Balance

Hormonal shifts can look different for everyone, but common symptoms include:

In Women:

Irregular periods or heavy bleeding
Sleep issues or night sweats
PMS, anxiety, or irritability
Low libido, fatigue, or brain fog

In Men:

Low energy or motivation
Loss of muscle mass
Mood swings or depression
Decreased sex drive or ED

You don’t have to “just live with it.” These symptoms are signals - not inevitabilities.

6. Testing & Treatment: What to Expect

Functional Testing May Include:

Free and Total Testosterone
Estradiol, Progesterone, DHEA-S
TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3
Cortisol (saliva/urine)
SHBG, FSH, LH
Blood sugar + inflammation markers

Treatment Options:

Personalized BHRT (bioidentical creams, troches, or pellets)
Nutritional support and detox pathways
Lifestyle coaching (sleep, stress, movement)
Targeted supplements for adrenal and thyroid health

7. Safety, Myths & What the Research Really Says

One of the biggest barriers to treatment is fear -particularly around hormone therapy in women. But the data has evolved. When prescribed appropriately, bioidentical hormones are safe and protective.

Misinterpretations of past studies have led to unnecessary alarm. Newer research—and decades of clinical application—show us that optimizing hormones can actually reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.

8. Ready to Explore What’s Possible?

If you’ve been told your labs are “normal” but you don’t feel like yourself, it might be time to explore a new approach: one that puts your vitality, not just your lab results, at the center of the conversation.

At Ashtoria Wellness<https://www.ashtoria.com/fuctional-wellness>, we specialize in root-cause hormone evaluation and personalized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Whether you're navigating perimenopause, low testosterone, thyroid issues, or just not feeling like yourself, our team can help.

Book a consultation today →<https://www.ashtoria.com/booking>

Your body is talking—are you listening? Don’t settle for feeling “fine.” With the right support, you can feel strong, clear, and vibrant again.

To learn more about our integrative functional wellness program, memberships, and services, visit us at Ashtoria Functional Wellness Services<https://www.ashtoria.com/fuctional-wellness> or call 901-310-3530.

Written By: Lea Brainerd, PA-C, CAQ-Psy,MSPAS,PCC