Ever looked at your blood test report, seen everything marked “normal,” and still felt off? You are not alone. Nutritionist Rashi Chowdhary is calling out the hidden gaps in how we read our lab results. In a recent Instagram video, she explains how standard lab ranges might actually be covering up real health issues, especially in women. “Because most lab ranges aren’t based on what’s healthy, they’re based on an average,” she says, pointing to a crucial yet often overlooked truth.
The Issue with Standard Lab Ranges
Rashi emphasizes that laboratories like LabCorp, Quest, Mayo Clinic, ThyroCare, SRL, or even Metropolis in India build their reference ranges from sick populations. She clarifies that when results show thyroid or B12 levels are normal but you still don’t feel well, it’s not just in your head. The system is flawed as it compares you to the average, not the optimal.
The Solution
Rashi advocates for moving away from chasing normal ranges and focusing on optimal reference ranges and functional medicine reference ranges. These, she explains, are more accurate in reflecting real well-being and health.
Key Blood Tests for Women
Rashi highlights the importance of tracking five basic blood tests for optimal ranges to ensure wellbeing, hormonal balance, and metabolic health. These include insulin levels, thyroid function, progesterone, estrogen, and prolactin.
Optimal Ranges
She provides insights into the optimal ranges for key hormones like insulin, thyroid hormones, and the ideal ratio between progesterone and estrogen. These ranges are crucial for ovulation, hormonal balance, and overall wellbeing.
Importance of Monitoring
Rashi stresses the significance of these ranges in detecting early signs of insulin resistance, thyroid issues, hormone imbalances, and more. She encourages individuals to seek these optimal ranges for better health outcomes.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the nutritionist advises individuals to refer to these optimal ranges for a more comprehensive understanding of their health status during lab testing.
