So, you have your blood test results in hand, but how to make sense of them? If your markers are in normal range, what does that even mean? Normal compared to what? Maybe your primary care physician isn’t giving you much of an answer. If you’re confused, that’s ok! And if you’re skeptical of the ranges to which you’re being compared, good! Below you’ll find a detailed list of “optimal ranges” that are much better to assess your results. First, a few very important points:
Standard Ranges Have Flaws
Standard ranges may alert us to glaring problems if our blood marker is way off point, but they don’t necessarily tell us when we’re healthy. The ranges are based on statistics, in this case two standard deviations from the mean of “apparently healthy” people—i.e. the average population. We know “apparently healthy” doesn’t mean much especially if you take a look at the average U.S. population this day in age. Non-communicative diseases are at an all-time high among other ailments. So when your blood marker falls in the “normal range” it’s not bad, but it’s also not as much insight as you want! Normal doesn’t imply healthy. I know you don’t want “just average,” you want better. (Note – there are exceptions and some standard ranges are indeed totally fine to go by, and those will not have optimal ranges listed.)
Strive For Optimal
On the other hand, optimal ranges are used by most functional and holistic practitioners, and those of us who are really looking to understand and fine-tune our health. These ranges can give us a more accurate read on our current health situation, an idea of an “ideal state” of health. They can give us answers when the conventional approach failed us—comforting for many who were once at a loss while being told by their doctor “you’re normal” while you sit there thinking, “But doc, I’m not, I know it!” For example, someone may be suffering from hypothyroidism but since their TSH is 4.0, a normal doctor may see that as just fine—not the case with optimal ranges. We start digging. I like using optimal ranges to help my clients heal, get to that next level, and to build a more individualized and thoughtful plan of action.
A Word of Caution
Optimal ranges are much tighter so don’t freak out if your blood markers are not all within optimal—that’s ok and it’s rare that I see anyone have all “perfect” markers. It’s also really easy to get obsessed with chasing perfect numbers—don’t do that. We can only do our best so if you’re an obsessive type or worrier be careful to avoid getting wrapped up in needing perfection. If you fall out of range it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re sick or even in trouble. This is also where symptoms come into play—if you feel fine but maybe you’re numbers aren’t perfect then chances are, you’re ok.
Meanwhile, it’s best to have a professional help interpret your results because there are also trends and patterns we look for, not just isolated numbers, in how we interpret the data. At the end of the day, I do believe optimal ranges can truly help us take charge of our health at another level.
Chart of Optimal vs. Standard Reference Ranges
Note: Some labs have unique testing methods and ranges so your results may vary. Conversions may also be needed in some cases. If you don’t have current blood labs, click here for a list of what to get.
| Marker | Optimal Range | Standard Range | Unit of Measurement |
| Glucose (fasting) | 70 – 86 | 65 – 99 | mg/dL |
| Insulin (fasting) | 0 – 5 | 2 – 19 | uIU/mL |
| HbA1c | 4.5 – 5.5 | 0 – 5.7 | % of HgB |
| BUN | 10 – 16 | 7 – 25 | mg/dL |
| Creatinine | 0.8 – 1.1 | 0.5 – 1.05 | mg/dL |
| BUN/Creat ratio | 10 – 16 | 6 – 22 | ratio |
| eGFR | 60 – 128 | 60 – 128 | min/1.73m2 |
| Sodium | 135 – 142 | 135 – 146 | mmol/L |
| Potassium | 4.0 – 4.5 | 3.5 – 5.3 | mmol/L |
| Na/K Ratio | 30 – 35 | 30 – 35 | ratio |
| Chloride | 100 – 106 | 98 – 110 | mmol/L |
| CO2 | 25 – 30 | 19 – 30 | mmol/L |
| Anion Gap | 7 – 12 | 6 – 16 | mmol/L |
| Uric Acid | 3 – 5.5 | 2.5 – 7 | mg/dL |
| Protein | 6.9 – 7.4 | 6.1 – 8.1 | g/dL |
| Albumin | 4 – 5 | 3.6 – 5.1 | g/dL |
| Globulin | 2.4 – 2.8 | 1.9 – 3.7 | g/dL |
| A/G Ratio | 1.4 – 2.1 | 1 – 2.5 | ratio |
| Calcium | 9.2 – 10 | 8.6 – 10.4 | mg/dL |
| Ca/Albumin Ratio | 0 – 2.6 | 0 – 2.6 | ratio |
| Phosphorus | 3 – 4 | 2.5 – 4.5 | mg/dL |
| Ca/Phos Ratio | 2.3 – 2.7 | 2.3 – 2.7 | ratio |
| Alk Phos | 70 – 100 | 35 – 115 | U/L |
| AST | 10 – 26 | 10 – 35 | U/L |
| ALT | 10 – 26 | 6 – 29 | U/L |
| LDH | 140 – 200 | 120 – 250 | U/L |
| Bilirubin | 0.1 – 0.9 | 0.2 –1.2 | mg/dL |
| Iron, serum | 85 – 130 | 40 – 160 | ug/dL |
| Ferritin | 30 – 70 | 10 – 232 | ng/mL |
| TIBC | 250 – 350 | 250 – 425 | mcg/dL |
| % Saturation | 20 – 35 | 15 – 50 | % |
| Lipoprotein (a) | nmol/L | ||
| Cholesterol, Total | 160 – 200 | 125 – 200 | mg/dL |
| HDL | 55 – 70 | 40 – 100 | mg/dL |
| LDL | 0 – 120 | 0 – 130 | mg/dL |
| Triglycerides | 70 – 80 | 0 – 150 | mg/dL |
| VLDL Chol. | 0 – 10 | 0 – 29 | mg/dl |
| Chol/HDL Ratio | 0 – 4 | 0 – 5 | ratio |
| Trig./HDL Ratio | 0 – 2 | 0 – 2 | ratio |
| Non HDL Chol. | <160 | mg/dL | |
| TSH | 1.0 – 2.1 | 0.35 – 4.5 | mIU/L |
| T3, Free | 3 – 3.5 | 2.3 – 4.2 | pg/mL |
| T4, Free | 1 – 1.5 | 0.8 – 1.8 | ng/dL |
| T4, Total | 6 – 11.9 | 4.5 – 12 | ug/dL |
| T3, Reverse | 8 – 25 | 10 – 25 | ng/dL |
| TPO Abs | 0 – 34 | 0 – 34 | IU/mL |
| Thyroglobulin Abs | 0 – 0.9 | 0 – 0.9 | IU/mL |
| Hs CRP, female | 0 – 1.5 | 0 – 3 | mg/L |
| Hs CRP, male | 0 – 0.55 | 0 – 3 | mg/L |
| Creatine Kinase, female | 29 – 143 | U/L | |
| Creatine Kinase, male | 44 – 196 | U/L | |
| Homocysteine, female | 0 – 7.2 | 0 – 11.6 | umol/L |
| Homocysteine, male | 0 – 7.2 | 4.3 – 15.3 | umol/L |
| Fibrinogen | 200 – 369 | 175 – 425 | mg/dL |
| Vitamin D, 25-OH | 50 – 90 | 30 – 100 | ng/mL |
| Vitamin B12 | 400 – 1100 | 200 – 1100 | pg/mL |
| Folate | 15 – 25 | 5.5 – 10 | ng/mL |
| Total WBCs | 5.5 – 7.5 | 3.8 – 10.8 | k/cumm |
| RBC, female | 3.9 – 4.5 | 3.8 – 5.1 | m/cumm |
| RBC, male | 4.2 – 4.9 | 4.2 – 5.8 | m/cumm |
| Hemoglobin, female | 13.5 – 14.5 | 11.7 – 15.5 | g/dL |
| Hemoglobin, male | 14 – 15 | 13.2 – 17.1 | |
| Hematocrit, female | 37 – 44 | 35 – 45 | % |
| Hematocrit, male | 40 – 48 | 38.5 – 50 | % |
| MCV | 82 – 89.9 | 80 – 100 | fL |
| MCH | 28 – 31.9 | 27 – 33 | pg |
| MCHC | 32 – 35 | 32 – 36 | g/dL |
| Platlets | 155 – 385 | 140 – 400 | k/cumm |
| RDW | 11.7 – 13 | 11 – 15 | % |
| MPV | 7.5 – 11.5 | fL | |
| Absolute Neutrophils | 1500 – 7800 | cells/uL | |
| Absolute Lymphocytes | 850 – 3900 | cells/uL | |
| Absolute Monocytes | 200 – 950 | cells/uL | |
| Absolute Eosinophils | 15 – 500 | cells/uL | |
| Absolute Basophils | 0 – 200 | cells/uL | |
| Neutrophils | 40 – 60 | 40 – 74 | % |
| Lymphocytes | 24 – 44 | 14 – 46 | % |
| Monocytes | 0 – 7 | 4 – 13 | % |
| Eosinophils | 0 – 3 | 0 – 3 | % |
| Basophils | 0 – 1 | 0 – 1 | % |
| Magnesium | 2.2 – 2.5 | 1.5 – 2.5 | mg/dL |
| IGF 1 | varies | ng/mL | |
| Zinc, adult | 60 – 130 | mcg/dL |
| Hormones* | |||
| DHEA sulfate, female | 350 – 430 | 65 – 380 | ug/dL |
| DHEA sulfate, male | 400 – 500 | 280 – 640 | ug/dL |
| Total testosterone, female | 15 – 70 | ng/dl | |
| Total testosterone, male | 500 – 700 | 250 – 1,027 | ng/dl |
| Free testosterone, female | 1.4 – 2.2 | 0 – 2.2 | pg/mL |
| Free testosterone, male | 10 – 26.5 | 6.6 – 26.5 | pg/mL |
| SHBG, female | 17 – 124 | nmol/L | |
| SHBG, male | 10 – 50 | nmol/L | |
| Cortisol, AM | 4 – 22 | mcg/dL | |
| Cortisol, PM | 3 – 17 | mcg/dL | |
| Progesterone, female | varies | ng/mL | |
| Estrogens, female | varies | pg/mL | |
| Estrogens, male | 60 – 190 | pg/mL | |
| Estradiol, female | varies | 19 – 528 | pg/mL |
| Estradiol, male | 10 – 30 | 0 – 54 | pg/mL |
| FSH, female | 3.0 – 20 | mIU/mL | |
| FSH, male | 1.6 – 8 | mIU/mL | |
| LH, female | 2.0 – 15 | mIU/mL | |
| LH, male | 1.5 – 9.3 | mIU/mL | |
| Prolactin, female non-pregnant | 0 – 20 | ng/mL | |
| Prolactin, male | 2 – 18 | ng/mL |
*Hormone values and ranges may vary based on lab, age, sex and for females the time of month in the cycle. I also prefer testing hormones via urine or saliva (not blood) for better accuracy and insight; the DUTCH test is preferred.
| Autoimmunity | |||
| CCP AB IGG | <20 Neg | ||
| ANA Screen | |||
| ANA Pattern | |||
| ANA Titer | <1:40 Neg; 1:40 – 1:80 Low Ab level; >1:80 Elevated Ab | ||
| C3C | 90 – 180 | mg/dL | |
| C4C | 16 – 47 | mg/dL | |
| CH50 | 31 – 60 | U/mL | |
| DNA DS Antibody | < or = 4 Neg | IU/mL | |
| Ribosomal P Antibody | <1.0 Neg AI | ||
| SM Antibody | <1.0 Neg AI | ||
| SM/RNP Antibody | <1.0 Neg AI | ||
| Sjogren’s Antibody A | <1.0 Neg AI | ||
| Sjogren’s Antibody B | <1.0 Neg AI | ||
| Thyroid Peroxidase Abs | <9 | IU/mL | |
| SCL – 70 Abs | <1.0 Neg | ||
| RF | <14 | IU/mL | |
| Cardiolipin Ab IGG | < or = 14 Neg | ||
| Cardiolipin Ab IGM | < or = 12 Neg | ||
| Cardiolipin Ab IGA | < or = 11 Neg | ||
| Lupus Anticoagulant |