Normal vs. Optimal Lab Values
Have you been told by your physician that your blood work looks “normal” yet you know something isn’t right?
Normal lab values are collected from the average population, and if your results fall within those values, you are assumed to be “normal”. This is a black and white approach to diagnosis: you either tick the boxes for the disease or you don’t.
By using optimal over normal values, we see imbalance and dysfunction before they reach the out-of-range value, providing a truly preventative approach.
Using a narrower range of lab values allows functional medicine practitioners to identify and treat imbalances sooner, meaning you get answers and feel better quicker.
In addition to using optimal over normal lab values, functional medicine utilizes a wide variety of testing to gather information overlooked in traditional approaches. Your nutritional, genetic markers can be tested as well as your heavy metal and toxin exposure. Your unique gut microbiome can be evaluated too. The objective is to provide you with a comprehensive, informative look into your body, combined with your subjective, lived experience and use that information to reach your health goals.
Here’s a few examples of non-invasive, at-home, functional medicine tests I recommend to patients:
Metabolix by Genova
What is it?
An at-home blood drop, cheek swab and urine sample test
What does it show?
A broad look at macro and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids and antioxidants), organic acids which contribute to energy production on a cellular level, detoxification systems and toxic exposures.
Who is it for?
Unexplained fatigue, mood swings, ADHD, depression, athletes, anyone wishing to optimize their health
What will you learn?
Identify problems with your metabolism, issues related to the use of nutrients, signs of oxidative stress and cellular damage. With this information, you can make specific changes to your nutrient intake, activity level and type, supplement routine and if further tests, like the GI 360, are indicated for you.
GI 360 by Doctor’s Data
What is it?
A multi-day, at-home stool test evaluating a wide range of markers like the diversity and population of your gut microbiome, type and quantity of parasites, pathogenic bacteria, fungus, yeast, pancreatic output and markers for gut permeability (link to article on leaky gut).
Who is it for?
Anyone experiencing any kind of digestive issues (bloating, constipation, gas, acid reflux, IBS) Autoimmune conditions, skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, hives, acne, dandruff) depression and anxiety
What will you learn?
If you can benefit from probiotics, and if so, which ones and how much strands. Identify the presence of pathogenic bacteria, yeast, fungus or parasites and how to treat them with herbs and supplements. How well you’re food is being digested and if you need enzyme support. If any, and how much, inflammation is present in your gut and how to best treat it.
What is it?
A month-long, at-home, dried urine test to evaluate the body’s production and use of reproductive and stress hormones, organic acids, melatonin levels and detoxification pathways.
Who is it for?
Women in perimenopausal, with sleep disturbances, menstrual changes, fertility challenges
What will you learn?
Your body’s individual rise and fall of hormones over an entire month, if and what you need to supplement with for hormonal balance. Your cortisol levels over full day and what herbs and lifestyle changes will best support you. Your melatonin levels, health and function of your detoxification processes. Oxidative stress present, which may have a negative impact on energy production on a cellular level.
