Blood Tests / Functional Versus Normal Range

[TeknoLen]

I recently had a blood test that included Comp Metabolic Panel, CBC with Diff/Platelet, Iron, TSH etc. Thankfully, all of my scores were back within the "normal" range as reported by LabCorp. However, some of my scores were close to either the top end or bottom end of the lab range. Those of us familiar with TSH for instance, know how the functional range (preferred) can be dramatically different from the lab-normal range. Does anyone know if there are functional ranges published for these other diagnostic blood tests? I have a follow-up visit with my doctor next month so I plan to ask him then, but in past experience he just defers to the lab range as normal. Thanks.

[Nadia2009]

I am in the process of educating myself on optimal levels vs normal ranges on blood tests using the internet. For example, my vit b12 is "normal" in the 300s (198-615 in Canada) but I have symptoms of vit b12 deficiency. My new holistic doctor wants vit b12 at least at 600.

Maybe a naturapathic doctor will be able to tell you what are the functional levels.

If you don't mind, I'd like to know what are the functional range for the TSH and t3 t4.. I am just waiting for some results.

[TeknoLen]

Good suggestion, I will call my ND to see if he has functional ranges. Otherwise, I have not found anything else yet on Comprehensive Metabolic Panel functional ranges. For the more common thyroid tests, I found one book that indicates the following, although the book was silent on how these ranges were calibrated:

TSH

Functional Range: 1.8-3.0 mU/L

Typical Lab Range: 0.5-5.5 mU/L

Total T4

Functional Range: 6-12 ug/d

Typical Lab Range: 5.4-11.5 ug/d

Free T4

Functional Range: 1.0-1.5 ng/dL

Typical Lab Range: 0.70-1.53 ng/dl

Free T3

Functional Range: 300-450 pg/mL

Typical Lab Range: 260-480 pg/mL

Good luck with your results!

[Nadia2009]

Good suggestion, I will call my ND to see if he has functional ranges. Otherwise, I have not found anything else yet on Comprehensive Metabolic Panel functional ranges. For the more common thyroid tests, I found one book that indicates the following, although the book was silent on how these ranges were calibrated:

TSH

Functional Range: 1.8-3.0 mU/L

Typical Lab Range: 0.5-5.5 mU/L

Total T4

Functional Range: 6-12 ug/d

Typical Lab Range: 5.4-11.5 ug/d

Free T4

Functional Range: 1.0-1.5 ng/dL

Typical Lab Range: 0.70-1.53 ng/dl

Free T3

Functional Range: 300-450 pg/mL

Typical Lab Range: 260-480 pg/mL

Good luck with your results!

Oups, I didnt see this post earlier. But I can't compare with my own results because we use different systems and units in Canada.