Why we look at functional lab ranges and not just pathological ranges.

There are two main types of ranges in the field of blood chemistry analysis: a pathological range and a functional range. The pathological range is used to diagnose disease; the functional range is used to assess risk for disease before the disease develops. The references that are provided with laboratory test results are referred to as "the pathological range," because if the test results are out of range, it usually indicates potential for pathology or disease.

The main difference between the functional range and the pathological range is the degree of deviation allowed within their normal ranges. For example the functional range for glucose may be 85 - 100 mg/dl, but the pathological range may be 65-110 mg/dl. Levels above the pathological range may indicate diabetes. Levels above the functional range, but before they reach the extremes of the pathological range, may indicate insulin resistance and future risk for developing diabetes.

When I have a patient tell me that they have already had their doctor run labs and they are "normal," I cringe. Rarely are the labs normal from a functional perspective. The pathological lab values provided on the lab results are actually based on a "bell curve analysis" of all the people that have been to the lab over "x" amount of time. If you go to the same lab in two different cities you will find that the reference ranges are actually different. It is important to have a doctor who looks at functional ranges so you are not considered "normal" or "healthy", because your lab tests fall in the same range as the majority of the sick people that have been to that lab. The sicker the population gets the wider, and more un-useful the lab reference ranges become.

Why don't most healthcare providers embrace the functional range?

Most doctors believe that care should only be provided when disease is present. This view is generally formed from conventional medical training which ignores the philosophies of preventative medicine and nutrition. Traditional medical training teaches physicians to evaluate blood chemistry in comparison to ranges that determine pathology. If pathology is not present, the patient is considered "healthy."

The main difference between healthcare providers who embrace or reject functional ranges basically boils down to the definition of health. Some healthcare providers define "health" as the absence of disease, and therefore if you are not diseased then you must be "healthy." Other healthcare providers define "health" as being free of disease but also having adequate energy levels, healthy digestion, ideal physiological function, etc.

We use the functional range when evaluating our patients. We get incredible results with very difficult cases because we are willing to take a step back and look at the WHOLE person, not just a diagnostic label. When we see shifts out of the functional range we are going to analyze that in conjunction with a detailed history and physical examination. Glancing down at a lab report and saying everything is "normal" because all the values fall within the "pathological reference range," is antiquated and a huge disservice to the patient.

We take a complete functional approach when we see patients. That is why we get results with difficult neurological and endocrine disorders because we don't look at things in isolation.

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