COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 331
● Dr. Zachary: RBC references (p.3325) + advanced
micronutrient sections
● Weatherby & Ferguson: RBC/WBC synergy in patterns
Looking at the Whole Picture
In functional blood chemistry, evaluating anemia and RBC indices
alongside key micronutrients like B12, iron, and folate helps
uncover the root causes of oxygen transport issues and energy
imbalances.
Markers such as MCV, MCH, and RDW provide insight into red
blood cell size and uniformity, guiding us toward specific nutrient
deficiencies4microcytic patterns often point to iron deficiency,
while macrocytic patterns may suggest B12 or folate insufficiency.
Functional medicine aims to look at patterns and how multiple
markers relate (e.g., low MCV + low ferritin = likely iron deficiency),
rather than interpreting labs in isolation.
By connecting these patterns with related nutrient markers (like
ferritin, serum B12, and homocysteine), practitioners can move
beyond isolated lab values to form a cohesive, systems-based
understanding.
By combining these markers with related lab values, we get a
clearer picture of what’s going on and can create more
personalized, effective care plans.
Gut Barrier & Food Reactivity
Cyrex Gut Barrier
Arrays 2 (intestinal permeability), 3 (wheat/gluten), 4
(cross‐reactive foods), 10 (multiple food immune reactivity).
Required Reading:
331
