COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 111
Functional blood chemistry analysis represents a paradigm shift in
how we interpret laboratory data. Rather than focusing solely on
pathology, it seeks to identify patterns of physiological dysfunction
before disease develops [1,2,7].
Key characteristics of the functional approach include:
Optimal Reference Ranges
Narrower ranges based on values associated with optimal
function rather than statistical averages [1,2]
Pattern Recognition
Looking at relationships between biomarkers to identify functional
imbalances [1,3]
Early Intervention
Addressing subtle shifts before they progress to disease [2,3,7]
System-Oriented
Organizing biomarkers according to body systems and functions
[1,7]
The Problem with "Normal"
The concept of "normal" reference ranges presents several
significant limitations [2,3]:
Statistical vs. Optimal
Conventional reference ranges are predominantly statistical
constructs. They typically include 95% of the population, with 2.5%
falling above and 2.5% below the range. This means that "normal"
is simply what's common in the population being tested - not
necessarily what's optimal for health [1,2,7].
Shifting Standards
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