Functional Bloodwork Review: What it is & Why it’s different
I remember sitting in several doctors offices, laying out the details of my daily life that were being impacted by how I felt physically.
Fatigue.
Dizziness.
Mood swings.
Insomnia.
Fast pulse.
Shakiness.
Bloating.
Something was off and I knew it.
As I reflect on that season of my life today, I am continually disappointed to remember that not a single doctor I saw recommended we run baseline labs – let alone comprehensive ones. Instead – I was given a prescription and wished “best of luck” as I walked out the door without answer (well, not with those exact words, but that’s truly how it felt).
10 years of my life passed where I felt generally unwell on a daily basis. A whole decade. The low-grade, chronic symptoms lingered as I bounced from doctor, to practitioner, to other doctor. When I finally ran labs with a functional doctor – I had a whole list of markers out of range that contributed to what I was feeling.
My curiosity was instantly sparked; I wanted to know more. I was so fed up with the system I had been through that I decided I needed to learn it all for myself and become my own health advocate. I decided to go school to learn about holistic nutrition, and continued my education by enrolling in a holistic blood chemistry course. This where I learned how to look at lab work through a functional lens, rather than conventional.
And it was LIFE CHANGING, which is why I specialize in it now. I want to share this with as many people as possible so they can finally understand why they continue to feel bad when everything looks normal – why they can’t focus at work, or why they can’t seem to drag themselves out of bed in the morning without that cup coffee, or why they feel so irritable every gosh darn day,
There is always, ALWAYS, a reason behind our symptoms – it’s our body’s way of getting our attention, like a check engine light. Understanding signs and symptoms and functional blood chemistry has truly changed my life, my family’s life, and those of my clients – and I know it can do the same for you!
THE ISSUE WITH STANDARD LAB TESTING
The reference ranges for lab values in bloodwork are based on statistics that are pulled from a large sample population. The samples are pulled from both men and women, infants and elderly, and different races. The collected data is then analyzed and the ranges are set based on the findings.
This means, as you can expect, the lab values have quite a broad range, as opposed to a window of focus that points to optimal health status.
Truly, a 32 year old woman should have different thyroid lab values than that of her menopausal mother. However, both of these women might have values that fall within a “normal” range based on conventional analysis.
An infant or toddler’s CBC who is continually growing should look different than that of their father’s.
A breastfeeding mother’s liver enzymes may be elevated in the postpartum period (which is normal due to lactation), but would need to be flagged on a 25 year old man’s workup.
See what I mean? You can’t compare apples and oranges.
THE PERKS OF FUNCTIONAL BLOOD CHEMISTRY
Functional bloodwork review is amazing because it goes beyond traditional blood testing methods by utilizing a narrower range of values that points to OPTIMAL health. Instead of focusing solely on identifying diseases or detecting abnormal levels AFTER symptoms are present or you’re facing a clinical diagnosis, functional blood chemistry focuses on prevention and optimization. Furthermore, functional blood chemistry includes:
1. A comprehensive approach: Conventional bloodwork analysis typically focuses on specific biomarkers such as cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and hormone levels in order to diagnose. In contrast, functional labs consider these numbers while also doing the investigative work required for identifying contributing causes. We use use blood chemistry to evaluate nutrient status, metabolic health, hydration levels, mineral balance, hormonal status, inflammatio, oxidative stress, chronic infections, toxic load, detoxification capacity, and of course diet and lifestyle. This comprehensive analysis provides a more complete picture of an individual’s health, allowing for early detection and prevention of potential health issues.
2. An individualized health assessment: Test, don’t guess! Holistic bloodwork review acknowledges that everyone is unique, with varying biological makeup and lifestyle factors. By considering an individual’s medical history, environmental factors, stress levels, diet, lifestyle, age, sex, and ethnicity, we can create a customized nutritional protocol that address the person specific causes of imbalances, rather than simply manage symptoms. We are also able to then effectively monitor our progress and goals through continual testing. You should be able to both feel AND see your progress!
3. Focus on prevention and OPTIMAL well-being: Where conventional bloodwork analysis tends to focus on diagnosing or managing existing diseases or conditions, functional blood chemistry places emphasis on early detection and preventitive measures that lead to increased health and well-being. By identifying imbalances and deficiencies at an early stage using narrower reference ranges, holistic labwork offers the opportunity to address potential health risks before they manifest into serious and debilitating conditions. An example of this is testing a person’s fasting insulin. It is not uncommon for insulin to be left off of lab work in favor of fasting glucose. However, raised insulin levels will often precede elevated glucose levels, a warning sign that insulin resistance is at play. Someone can have high (hyperglycemic) insulin levels while having a normal fasting glucose. You need all the markers to compare.
4. Holistic Considerations: Functional blood chemistry recognizes the intrinsic connection between physical health and emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Stress, anxiety, and other emotions can have a profound impact on our health, which can often be seen in a lab workup. Long term stress can show up as high fasting glucose, electrolyte imbalances, abnormal CBCs, thyroid numbers, and more. Holistic bloodwork review explores imbalances within these areas so we can provide recommendations or referrals that support balance and harmony in all aspects of life.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
As you can see, there’s SO MUCH that functional labs can tell us; they are like a roadmap your body provides that helps point the way to healing. Its focus on comprehensive evaluation, individualized care, and prevention is in my eyes – truly invaluable. It has made all the difference in my personal health journey, as well as those of my clients.
If you don’t feel likeyourself and your labs always come back “normal”, let’s set up a call. I would love to be there to help guide you into better health and wellbeing.
Until next time!
*Disclaimer: Holistic bloodwork review and functional blood chemistry should not be seen as a replacement for conventional medical care or seeing an allopathic physician. It is not in any way meant to diagnose, treat, or cure. It is advised to consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any significant changes to your healthcare routine. If you have a medical condition or have an emergency you should seek medical care.
Sources and training: MBCE by Emily Morrow
