Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis
Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis, or FBCA, is a powerful tool for Naturopathic Doctors to assess clients, identify imbalances and balance the body early.
The prevailing myth about blood chemistry analysis is that it’s a diagnostic tool only used for determining the presence or absence of disease. This, however, isn’t true.
What Is Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis?
“Normal” Isn’t Optimal
Under allopathic approaches, a practitioner might take one blood test, note that a given biomarker isn’t low or high enough to indicate the presence of disease, and reassure the patient that everything looks normal — even if that patient is still experiencing dysfunction like fatigue, pain or inflammation. However, this kind of black-and-white thinking — where the client is either healthy or sick with a clinical condition — leaves many dysfunctional, unhealthy clients to suffer.
That’s because the broad reference ranges used by the laboratories that analyze blood samples are based on averages, not on actual health. These ranges are calculated based on the average values found within roughly 95% of a sample population. When faced with these broad ranges, an allopathic practitioner might conclude that a biomarker falls within normal limits.
Functional Blood Chemistry: Optimal Ranges for Optimal Health
Functional health practitioners use blood chemistry analysis by looking at much tighter, optimal ranges that represent the ideal level for a given biomarker. These ranges are empirically correlated with real health outcomes, and by tracking their clients’ progress toward or away from those ranges, practitioners help guide their patients toward optimal health — not merely “normal” health
To make even greater use of functional blood chemistry’s optimal ranges, practitioners can track their client's blood test results over time and observe as biomarkers shift towards or away from the optimal range. When a biomarker strays above or below that range, practitioners can use this as a sign that an intervention is needed, whether that’s the recommendation of supplements, food and lifestyle changes, or any other type of intervention.
Functional Health Reports Personalized for Each Client
Based on your test results a personalized report will be professionally generated just for you which will include:
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Blood Test Results - This report lists the results of your tests and whether or not a given biomarker is outside of the optimal range or standard lab range. You will also receive a brief description of why each biomarker might be elevated or decreased.
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Functional Body Systems Assessment - an algorithmically derived assessment of dysfunction risk for each major functional body system such as the immune, cardiovascular and others.
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Macronutrient & Individual Nutrient Status - Using the results of your blood test, see the likelihood of dysfunction based on your overall macronutrient status like vitamin, mineral and protein intake, digestion, absorption, assimilation and cellular uptake.
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Health Improvement Plan - The Health Improvement Plan report summarizes the top areas covered by the Functional Health Report that require attention. Each major area links to a detailed description and individual explanation of why it's an area of concern and what might be behind the results.
What Should I Expect?
During this consultation, you will spend less time establishing care based on your history and instead review recent labs with Dr. Brandon for more specialized suggestions based on your results and how they fall within our Optimal reference ranges.
Similar to our Wellness Consultation, clients will be provided with a comprehensive plan of the necessary herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, and/or homeopathic remedies needed for positive outcomes.
*If you have lab results older than 6 months, we encourage you to call our office and speak with Dr. Brandon to request the purchase of one of our bloodwork packages to have drawn before your consult so that Dr. Brandon can assess your most updated bloodwork.
Consults are available as early as (1-2) weeks after lab tests are drawn, as labs do take 7-10 days to finalize.
How much does the Functional Lab Review cost?
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Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis - $162
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For established clientele after their initial evaluation or for clients that want a functional blood chemistry report based on labs ordered from another physician.
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To review functional blood chemistry analysis report and establish specialized recommendations for lifestyle changes, herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, and/or homeopathic remedies needed for positive changes.
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