Are Blood Labs Showing You The Full Picture?

In the last year I have had my vitamin D levels checked three times by my endocrinologist.

In August 2017, my levels were 97 nmol/L (converts to 38.86 ng/mL)
In January 2018, my levels were 81 nmol/L (converts to 32.45 ng/mL)
In May 2018, my levels were 92 nmol/L (converts to 36.86 ng/mL)

The lab ranges, from the lab that I visited, are 75 - 250 nmol/L (converts to 30.05 - 100.16 ng/mL) - note reference ranges can vary from lab to lab.

Each visit, when I saw the doctor, he said my levels were good. That there was nothing to worry about and to carry on.

As a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner, I know better.

First let me explain lab ranges so that you can have a better understanding of what to look for on your own tests.

The first, and one of the most important points I will make is, that lab reference ranges are based on the average population, which is a sick population.

Secondly, the lab reference ranges are also very broad. I could have had a reading of 76 and the doctor would still have said I was fine and that there was nothing for me to worry about.

When looking at lab ranges from a functional stand point (something I have been trained to do), you are looking at ranges that are seen in a disease-free population and that have not been associated with an increased risk of disease or dysfunction.

So going back to my ranges above...

Having shared with you what I know as true about lab ranges, do you think that my vitamin D levels are fine? And that I have nothing to worry about?

Now let's take a look at how my results look from a functional standpoint.

The optimal ranges for Vitamin D are between 60 - 80 ng/mL.

As you can see I am far below these ranges, yet my doctor, despite my symptoms, tells me that there is nothing wrong with me and that what I am feeling is all in my head. That I don't need to do anything and that he will continue to monitor me and when my levels drop, that is when he will take action.

So, based on the current medical system, which you will hear me call a sick care system (can you see why!), I would only be taken seriously when the labs out of range. He is waiting for an issue, not using a proactive approach, and not listening to what my body is trying to tell us. Sound familiar?

Recently, I began more training with FDN (Functional Diagnostic Nutrition). I started the Advanced training in Blood Chemistry Markers, so that I can interpret blood chemistry from a functional point of view, for myself and for my clients. 

Without digging deeper to find answers, I am (was) setting myself for cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, osteoporosis, tooth decay, poor immune function and reproductive system disorders. 

Having this knowledge has given me the insight to know that I am safe to increase the amount of vitamin D3 that I was supplementing, from 5,000 UIs to 10,000 UIs daily , which should help me to stop and/or reverse the above conditions. 

I also increased the amount of vitamin K2 I take - because you need to take K2 with D3 otherwise you could end up with dangerously high calcium levels and blood vessel calcification.

We'll see if taking these supplements increase my vitamin D levels come December, when I go for my next round of blood test.

Have you had recent blood tests where your numbers are close to the bottom or top of the range, you have unexplainable symptoms, yet your doctor says there is nothing wrong with you? It could be that your doctor is like mine. Stuck in an old paradigm and system that treats labs results, instead of treating you and your symptoms.

If this is the case, I can help. Apply for a complimentary health strategy session to find out how. You've got nothing to lose other than 30 minutes of your time and I promise that this call will not be a high pressured sales call or that you'll feel obligated to work with me. It's just an opportunity for you to discuss what's going on with your health, what struggles you face and how I might be able to help you. When was the last time your doctor gave you that much time?

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