COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 138
such as hydration, diet, lifestyle, blood sugar regulation, immune
function, liver health, gut function, and hormonal balance. In
some cases, additional functional testing may be recommended
to gain further insight.
Integrating CBC and Urinalysis for Deeper Insight
When viewed together, CBC and urinalysis can offer valuable
insight into how the body manages stress, inflammation, hydration,
nutrient balance, and metabolic function. Rather than focusing
on isolated numbers, interpreting these patterns as part of a
broader systems picture can help guide more personalized,
nutrition- and lifestyle-focused support.
In general, urine reflects the blood level of many analytes. When
blood levels of a substance are elevated and kidney function is
intact, that substance is typically excreted through the urine. If it's
not, this may suggest impaired renal function. Some solutes, like
glucose, only appear in urine when blood concentrations exceed
a specific threshold4around 180 mg/dL for glucose, for instance.
Below are four common patterns that emerge when these two
foundational labs are reviewed side by side.
Dehydration or Early Kidney Stress
CBC Pattern:
● Elevated hematocrit
● Elevated hemoglobin
Urinalysis Pattern:
● High specific gravity (concentrated urine)
Functional Insight:
This pattern may reflect reduced plasma volume due to
dehydration or the body’s compensatory water-conserving
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