Functional Lab Ranges vs. Medical Lab Ranges
Functional Lab Ranges focus on identifying patterns and imbalances that indicate suboptimal health, which is why we often discuss, "putting together the pieces of your puzzle." On the other hand, Medical Ranges are primarily designed to diagnose or rule out disease.
Functional Ranges are narrower, emphasizing optimal health and detecting early warning signs before symptoms appear. They consider individual factors like age, gender, lifestyle, and genetics to tailor care to each person. In contrast, Medical Ranges are based on broad population averages, including both healthy and unhealthy individuals, which may overlook subtle imbalances.
Functional Ranges empower proactive, preventative care by addressing root causes, whereas Medical Ranges often focus on reactive treatment after a disease has developed. This distinction makes Functional Lab Ranges ideal for those seeking to optimize wellness and prevent chronic health issues.
optimal health vs. disease detection
Functional Ranges
prevention focused
Designed to detect patterns and trends that indicate suboptimal health before disease develops. Helps identify areas where the body is not functioning at its best.
Narrow thresholds
Based on what is considered ideal for optimal health and wellness, often including tighter thresholds to catch imbalances earlier.
Proactive
Emphasizes identifying and addressing imbalances before they lead to disease, enabling proactive health strategies.
individualized
Considers individual factors like age, gender, lifestyle, and genetics when interpreting lab results, tailoring care to the person.
root cause
Highlights subtle imbalances and patterns that may indicate underlying dysfunctions in the body’s systems.
identifies trends
Looks at patterns and trends to understand how your health is evolving, even if values fall within "normal" ranges.
optimal wellness
Seeks to optimize health and function, even if there’s no disease present, helping patients feel their best.
Comprehensive
Includes in-depth panels like micronutrient levels, hormones, microbiome health, and inflammation markers for a holistic view.
Medical Ranges
Disease detection focused
Primarily used to diagnose or rule out diseases and conditions once symptoms are present. Narrowly focuses on identifying disease states.
broad reference ranges
Determined by averages from a population, often including both healthy and unhealthy individuals, which can overlook early signs of imbalance.
Reactive
Values must fall outside the range to prompt further investigation or treatment, typically addressing disease after it manifests.
standardized
Standardized to fit the general population, often overlooking individual variability in what's considered healthy.
symptom monitoring
Primarily used to confirm or monitor existing conditions rather than explore potential root causes.
tunnel-vision
Relies on snapshot measurements, often disregarding subtle shifts unless they cross into abnormal territory.
pathology
Used to diagnose and manage diseases, focusing on maintaining levels within acceptable limits rather than achieving optimal wellness.
Basic
Focuses on standard tests like CBCs, cholesterol, and glucose levels, which may miss deeper imbalances.