Pathological Versus Functional Ranges

 

There are two main types of ranges in the field of blood chemistry analysis: a pathological range and a functional range.

The pathological range is used to diagnose disease, while the functional range is used to assess risk for disease before disease develops. The references that are provided with laboratory test results are referred to as the “the pathological range.” If the test results are out of range, it usually indicates the potential for pathology or disease.

It is important to understand the main difference between the functional and pathological range is the degree allowed within their normal ranges. For example, the functional range for glucose may be 85-100 mg/dl, but the pathological range may be 65 -110 mg/dl. Levels above the pathological range may indicate diabetes. Levels above the functional range, but before they reach the extremes of the pathological range, may indicate insulin resistance and future risk for developing diabetes.

Essentially, looking at the functional levels offers a comprehensive view of health and operation within the body systems.

Our Tests

 

Conventional medical training is concerned with the diagnosis of disease instead of preventative medicine. Therefore, patients are usually not informed and consulted regarding the parameters of the functional range. Healthcare providers that practice preventive medicine are those most inclined to incorporate consulting patients when their levels present outside of the functional range. If biomarkers can be managed before they fall within the pathological range, preventive medicine can be practiced. Why not prevent a problem that you can see coming, rather than waiting until the problem has arrived?

 

Breakdown of Annual Blood Lab Markers

Test Marker	Infinity Wellness Center Tests	Conventional Tests
EBV, Epstein Barr Virus	✅	❌
CD 57	✅	❌
White + Red Blood Cell Count	✅	✅
Hemoglobin + Hematocrit	✅	✅
MCV, MCH, MCHC	✅	✅
Platelets, Lymphocytes, Monocytes	✅	✅
Eosinophilis, Basophilis	✅	✅
GGT	✅	❌
SGPT (AST), SGOT (ALT)	✅	✅
Lipid Panel: Cholesterol, Triglideride, HDL, LKL, VLDL, Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio	✅	✅
TSH (thyroid)	✅	✅
Free Thyroxine Index (FTI/T7)	✅	❌
T4 (thyroxine)	✅	❌
T3, T3 Uptake, Free T3	✅	❌
Antithyroidglobulin Ab	✅	❌
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Ab	✅	❌
Uric Acid, BUN	✅	✅
Creatinine, BUN/Creatinine ratio	✅	✅
Sodium, Potassium	✅	✅
Chloride, Magnesium	✅	✅
Calcium, Phosphorus	✅	✅
Calcium/Albumin Ration	✅	✅
Total Protein	✅	✅
Albumin, Globulin, A/G ratio	✅	✅
Total Bilirubin	✅	✅
Alkaline Phosphatase	✅	✅
LDH	✅	❌
Serum Iron	✅	❌
Ferritin	✅	❌
Blood Typing: ABO Grouping, RH Factor	✅	❌
CRP (C Reactive Protein) High Sensitivity	✅	❌
Homocysteine	✅	❌
Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy	✅	✅

 

Many traditional healthcare providers do not embrace the concept of a functional range. Our belief is that care should be provided before the disease is present. In our office, we run a number of blood test panels, stools panels, and more, to look at the functional range in your body. We then work together to bring hormone, mineral, and vitamin levels back into the functional range, so your body can function at an optimal level. We usually address what the western medical community calls a “low normal” or a “high normal” and see huge changes in a person’s vitality with restored energy and enthusiasm for life when these levels return to functional.

For more information on getting your functional blood chemistry analysis report or a stool test to examine GI function, take a look at the Functional Medicine Tests we run.

In January 2023, we are running a lab special! Check it out in our Wellness Store.

Apply to work with us and get your labs run and evaluated by our team: Apply Here.