Are You Normal?

What if I told you that your lab values might need to be looked at through a different standard.

'Normal' lab values are a statistical average taken from the broad population, not a benchmark for optimal health.

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Based On Averages, Not Ideals.

Normal ranges are built from the average results of a large population, not a group of healthy people in excellent physical health. This average can be influenced by factors like the rising obesity rate, which moves the baseline for "normal" over time.

Also these broad ranges are not always sensitive enough to detect dysfunction before it turns into a diagnosed disease.

You can be within the normal range, but still be unwell and on the path to a more serious condition.

"Normal" Dysfunction.

These dysfunctions wouldn't necessarily result in an abnormal blood test reading even though they can significantly affect your quality of life and potentially move toward an actual disease, if left unassessed.

Do you suffer from any of these?

• Fatigue & low energy

• Digestive problems like bloating, heartburn, constipation, or gas

• Allergies

• Lower immunity

• Infertility

• Pain & inflammation, muscle aches, stiffness

• Sluggish thyroid

• Erectile dysfunction, low libido, menstrual irregularities, menopause-related problems

• Sleep disturbances

• Anxiety, depression

• Climbing weight, hard to loose excess weight

• Hypertension, cardiovascular issues

• Cognitive issues

Many of these issues won't affect biomarker levels that will read as high or low on a blood test, but they are important to consider and to begin steps to address them before serious problems occur.

If we only look at blood test results that fall out of the "normal" range, we miss valuable information that could improve our quality of life as we age.

We can test in the normal range yet be overweight, suffer from low testosterone, and be deficient in vitamin D.

I believe that no one would consider that to be healthy!

We can therefore present unhealthy but "normal" blood test results for months or even years and only receive treatment once our dysfunction has finally moved into a diagnosed disease state where then it can be medicated.

Is This Healthcare?

This is our present sick-care model of medicine and my passion for both responsibility and accurate information so we can address our health outcomes is why I do what I do.

What Can I Do?

1. Be consistent in yearly blood work or even better, test every 6 months.

2. Know the optimal ranges of your blood biomarkers and what changes in lifestyle practices you need to adopt.

3. Be kind and forgiving with yourself, Rome wasn't built in a day and where you are today has probably taken decades to happen.

4. Be willing to pay out of pocket for some tests that will be crucial in addressing exactly where you presently fall. FYI.- Generally, insulin levels are NOT tested, yet science is pointing toward keeping a tight control on our insulin levels to avoid this cascade of problems:

   Stubborn weight gain

   Elevated insulin resistance leading to type 2 diabetes

   Fatty liver disease

   Inflammation and many more.

The longer we avoid paying attention to insulin levels, the longer our health suffers, and the harder it becomes to break this cycle.

Fasting insulin should be <8mIU/mL

2-hour insulin should be <50mIU/mL

When insulin levels are above 8mIU/mL there is already an increased risk of metabolic disease which includes insulin resistanace, PCOS, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and cardiovascular issues.

Exercise Can Move Your Needle.

Move your body for 15 minutes every day, because everyone has 15 minutes to move and it can make a huge difference in health outcomes.

People who did 15 minutes of moderate exercise a day have a 14% lower risk of death than those that don't move at all.

Exercise doesn't have to be hours at the gym every day. Begin with just 15 minutes every day and work toward increasing your time over the next month. This will have a massive impact on your health.

Think About This.

• Normal lab values just means that you're not broken enough to fix - that's it.

• Normal doesn't mean optimal.

• Normal doesn't mean thriving.

• Normal just means you're in the same boat as 80% of the population.

Let's flip this narrative and become optimal!

We are in the final months of 2025.

May you get serious about your health now, instead of adding more insult to injury by eating everything from Halloween through New Years.

This is your friendly, compassionate reminder that you don't need a gym membership, expensive gadgets, or a program to transform your health.

Simple, consistent habits practiced every day will make a profound difference.

Try This.

1. Remove added sugars and ultra-processed foods for the next 2 months to address inflammation, disrupted metabolism and poor gut health. These pseudo-foods affect everything from immunity to brain function and without them, your body can begin to heal and work better.

2. Try walking every day, especially after your biggest meal. This habit improves circulation, strengthens your cardiovascular system, supports healthy metabolism, and boosts your mood by regulating stress hormones.

3. Make sleep non-negotiable because when we sleep, our body gets repaired, toxins in our brain are cleared, and our hormones are balanced. When sleep is poor, even the best diet and exercise can't compensate.

Give your body what it needs to thrive by making simple changes for lasting results.

Need Some Help?

I can offer my professional eyes on your lifestyle and food choices and help you find the daily habits that are creating roadblocks toward your best health ever.

You can sign-up here for a Nutrition Audit.

Click on this link, then click on Services and scroll down to Nutrition Audit.

https://www.janlindquistntp.com

Thanks for reading,

Jan