COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 858
The human body is not a set of isolated parts4it is an ecosystem.
Symptoms may manifest in one system, but originate in another
(e.g., fatigue from nutrient depletion secondary to poor digestion).
Understanding root causes means looking across systems: nutrient
status, immune patterns, inflammation, detox capacity, and organ
reserve.
Examples:
Low ferritin + elevated MCV + fatigue ² consider B12 or folate
deficiency, not just iron.
High eosinophils + low secretory IgA + skin rashes ² possible
gut-based immune dysregulation.
Using RBC/WBC Patterns as a Foundation
Red and white blood cell markers are often overlooked4but they
can reveal early signs of functional imbalance.
RBC Insights:
MCV, MCH, MCHC ² assess B-vitamin status, oxygen transport,
cell hydration.
RDW ² reflects cell variability; elevated levels may signal nutrient
deficiencies or inflammation.
WBC Insights:
Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils ²
provide a map of immune function.
Pattern recognition: low neutrophils + high monocytes = possible
chronic infection or detox burden.
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