Blood tests - More than Meets the Eye

Blood test

If easily available and less than 6 months old, I recommend new clients bring their blood test results to our first appointment. This first session is primarily about deciding what are the first steps to take to address my new client's health goals. Blood results can provide key information that will better inform us as to which steps are the best. There is often a myriad of options available so the more data available, the better and more informed the decision making. And this usually means better and quicker results. (If the blood results are not readily available or recent, we can still proceed with treatment. The blood results are one factor in determining treatment, but by no means the only or most important.)

Often though, people will tell me that their doctor has said these results are normal and no further action is needed. So why would I need to review them as well?

There are four main reasons

1. There is a difference between "normal" and "optimal" results. There is a straightforward consideration by the medical community in terms of blood results: normal or abnormal. I too want to see your results in the normal range. But I take it one step further and consider whether your results are optimal, which is often more conservative than the normal range. For example, the normal Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) range is typically 0.5 to 3-5 mIU/L, whereas the optimal range is 1-2.

In my eyes, less than optimal results require further action. Often by doing so, we can uncover issues that drive your symptoms (often called subclinical) or may become a bigger problem later if not addressed. So both approaches are right, just different.

2. There are relationships between results that can indicate nutritional deficiencies, types of infections, inflammation, genetic anomalies, etc. So by evaluating these relationships, I can discern even more information as to how best to support your health goals. An example of this is when evaluating iron levels, I often also look at key makers in the red blood cells results to determine if there is a genetic issue or nutritional deficiency that may be impacting your iron levels. In these cases, iron supplementation may be warranted but B vitamins are equally important.

3. There are markers that are not considered by the medical community as requiring action. For example, consistently high bilirubin levels may be indicative of Gilbert's Syndrome, an enzyme deficiency that allows for bilirubin levels to accumulate in the body which often leads to gastric upset and some mood issues. One of the key makers I evaluate in all my gut clients, especially those with diarrhoea.

4. Things get missed - we are human so mistakes are made. So having another set of eyes evaluating your results is a good way to catch anything that may have been missed. For the record, I too have missed results that were found by another practitioner, so I know how easily this can happen. And boy do I carefully look at zinc results now!

Need more information?

I have the utmost respect for our medical community so in no way I am meaning to disparage what or how they evaluate blood results. My approach simply allows for another layer of information to better inform treatment plans. Many of my clients have been suffering from gut issues for years and years, so the more information available, the better able we are to achieve a healthier happier fully functional gut.

Feel free to get in touch or book into an initial 60 minute, online consultation.