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My bloods are normal but I still have symptoms: how to push for answers

By Kerri Hopkins · 5 min read · 20 October 2026

You have done the right thing. You went to the GP, you had the tests, and you were told “everything is normal”. But you still feel awful. It is easy to start wondering whether it is all in your head. It is not.

You are not alone

When the government asked women about their experiences for the Women's Health Strategy for England, 84% of respondents said there had been times when healthcare professionals had not listened to them. Women said they were told that heavy and painful periods were “normal”. Feeling dismissed is common, and it is not your imagination.

In April 2026 the government published a renewed strategy. It describes heavy or painful periods as a “missed vital sign”, and proposes routine questions about periods and how they affect daily life, to help spot problems such as anaemia, iron deficiency, endometriosis and fibroids sooner. It also refers to “Jess's Rule”, which asks GPs to “reflect, review and rethink” when a patient has come back three times. These are plans, so your own experience may differ, but they show that being listened to is now a stated priority.

What “normal” means

A normal result means it falls within the range the lab uses. That does not mean nothing is wrong:

• Labs use different ranges, and you can be unwell near the edge of one.
• Blood tests only show some things. Many conditions need other tests. For example, the NHS says endometriosis can take a long time to diagnose and may need several tests, including scans and sometimes keyhole surgery. PMOS (also called PCOS) may need hormone tests and an ultrasound. The renewed strategy puts the average time from a first doctor visit to an endometriosis diagnosis at about 9 years and 4 months, which is why keeping a diary and asking again matters.
• Many symptoms overlap, so one test rarely gives the full answer.

How to prepare

1. Keep a symptom diary. What, when, how bad, and how it affects your daily life. Include your cycle.
2. Ask for the numbers. Not just “normal”, but the actual results and the range, so you can see where you sit.
3. Ask what was tested, and what was not. “Which tests have been done? Which have not?”
4. Write down your top three questions. Put the most important first.
5. Take someone with you, or ask a friend to listen in.

What to say

• “I understand the tests are normal, but my symptoms are still affecting my life. What could be causing them?”
• “What else could we check?”
• “What is the plan if this does not improve?”
• “Could you note in my records that I raised this?”
• “Could you refer me to a specialist?”

If you are still not getting anywhere

• Ask to see a different GP at the practice. You do not need to give a reason.
• You can ask for a second opinion or a referral. Your GP does not have to agree, but they should have a reason if they refuse. In England you may also be able to choose where you are referred.
• If you are refused, ask for the reason in writing, and speak to the practice manager.
• If you are still unhappy, you can make a complaint. The practice's complaints process is the first step.
• If you are struggling emotionally, tell your GP. Feeling dismissed takes a toll.

You know your body. Asking questions is not being difficult, it is being a good patient.

See also my guides on iron and ferritin and preparing for your GP appointment.

Sources

GOV.UK: Women's Health Strategy for England · GOV.UK: Renewed Women's Health Strategy for England (April 2026) · NHS: Endometriosis · NHS: PMOS (PCOS) · Finally Seen: How to request a second opinion (a private document service, not an NHS source)

BioHer provides educational information only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and it does not replace your GP or other healthcare professional. If symptoms feel urgent or severe, call 111 for urgent advice, or 999 in an emergency.