Great, you kept them. With lab-tests, it's important to know, that normal range is usually a statistical construct only. Thereby, the lab calculates normal ranges by subtracting the upper and lower 2.5%, considered too high and too low, and determines the middle 95% as normal. From all their tested result. With the caveat, that most people get their labs tested rather sick, than healthy.
For determining rare MDs take reverence ranges out of literature, where subsequent lowest mortality was found, or out of integrative and functional clinical medicine practice. Such optimal reference ranges are what I compared it too, and thereby found problems, no MD would even mention. Because their education didn't really prepare them to, nor do they usually have the time to communicate disease prevention. Easier than treatment.
For example, my postprandial blood-glucose was consistently pre-diabetic (above 140 mg/dl), and adjusting diet accordingly could prevent a sure T2D.
As you know, individual lab-tests are only a momentary picture, and can fluctuate widely. Then there are the complexities, for example with other issues, where out of range values could momentarily even be beneficial. Individual lab errors also do occur. And due to biochemical individuality, optimal ranges still might not be your optimal ranges. You seem to be are aware too, that some values have little meaning, as with B12, if already supplementing, or serum magnesium. Where, for example, MMA or RBC magnesium, testing gives more predictive values.
To overcome all such shortcomings, one better documents all repeated lab-test in a spreadsheet, like that:
Code:
- longevity range | optimal | normal | Jul | Apr | - |
Ferritin | 119-200 | 50-90 | 24-336 ng/m | 313 | 355 | - |
Also ordering the test according to body or metabolic system, does give clues, where underlying problems need to be addressed. And as time passes, one can correlate interventions (supplements, life-style changes and medication) to improving or worsening lab markers. Especially with changes, which would take too long, and aren't felt through symptoms.
In another post, you mentioned:
It took me years to find a GP who at least tested more than usual, following most of my suggestions. Others already felt offended by such. Where I live, only MDs privately insured or paid out of the pocket would do. The 2 private MDs I trialled, didn't. And in the long term wouldn't be affordable for my low income.
Also, my former life-experiences with medical care taught me the hard way, mistakes do happen. Which only the patient has to bear with the bad-health consequences. One still needs to go to MDs, at least for diagnostics.
You are in a different situation. And my approach to monitoring lab-tests might not be feasible or practical for you. In my case, it was the means to affect multiple unlikely remissions. With the slight aid of MDs, without trusting one who can spend only minutes on my case, or temporary results only. I wouldn't even trust myself with so little consideration.
Feel free to do, as your situation allows. My approach does take time and efforts in self-education.
