Does your doctor say your labs are “normal”?

Many people hear that from their doctor YET they still feel TERRIBLE.

Test after test after test and still no answers? That is the experience of many patients I work with and the explanation is really quite simple. It all comes down to the type of lab ranges the doctor is using to determine if a lab test result is high or low. Let’s discuss the 2 types of lab ranges. 

Why is that?

Pathological Lab Ranges

When your labs come back, they show you the lab value (test results) and the ranges that are used for that specific test to determine if the test result is high, low, or normal. Most lab test results usually include the “Interval Range” or “Reference Range” on the far right of the lab page. These are also referred to as the “Pathological Range.” 

The pathological range is a very wide range meaning if a lab value is outside of that range – something is really wrong. It is a much wider range that is only useful for diagnosing advanced diseases and conditions. 99% of doctors will use this range and thus conclude that your labs are “normal.” 

Functional Lab Ranges

Functional lab ranges refers to ranges that are much tighter. Specifically, functional ranges are usually ~1 standard deviation from the median while pathological ranges are ~2 standard deviations from the median.

These lab ranges are focused on optimal functioning, rather than pathological diseases. With functional ranges, we are looking to see how your body is functioning. The optimal range is much tighter so we can see if the body is functioning optimally or not. Many times lab results come back and they are not high enough or low enough to be outside of the pathological ranges. However, when analyzing the lab results with functional ranges, you can begin to truly see the dysfunction. This is the typical situation where patients will hear “your labs are normal,” even though they know deep down something is still wrong. 

Functional ranges are essential when analyzing ANY blood labs. They are especially necessary when it comes to analyzing thyroid labs, blood sugar markers, immune system markers, and liver markers.

Have Your Labs Come Back “Normal” Yet You Still Feel Terrible?

Schedule a FREE Consultation with dr. Miller below For a FREE lab analysis using functional lab ranges

At Freedom Health and Wellness, we address all of these things and more through a personalized and functional approach. We help people with chronic diseases and illnesses regain their health by getting to the source of their health concerns.