CW Vol 2 Ed. 40 - Know Your Numbers: Tools to Take Charge of Your Health

Blood Pressure, Labs, and Why “Normal” Isn’t Always Optimal

No one builds a bridge and just hopes for the best. Engineers measure, test, and adjust long before cracks ever show. Your health works the same way — your numbers are the measurements that keep you strong and steady.

And here’s the good news: the best kind of healthcare is the kind you never need. Knowing your numbers gives you the power to prevent problems before they start, instead of reacting after the fact.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll shine a light on the health numbers that matter most — blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, thyroid, inflammation, and more. For each one, we’ll explain what “standard” ranges mean, what “optimal” ranges look like, and most importantly, what steps you can take before a problem develops.

Your Blueprint for Prevention

Think of your health like a construction project — you wouldn’t wait until the walls crack or the bridge buckles before checking the plans. You’d use a blueprint to catch small issues early and keep the project on track.

Your health works the same way. Your numbers are part of that blueprint. They give you feedback on how your body is running — not as a grade, but as a guide.

• They help you spot small shifts before they turn into big problems.

• They help you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface, even if you feel fine.

• And they give you the power to take action now — with food, sleep, movement, and stress management — instead of waiting until medication or procedures are the only options.

👉 In short: your numbers are tools to keep you strong and steady, not scare you. The more you know how to read them, the better you can stay ahead of the curve.

Why Optimal Ranges Matter

When you get labs back, your doctor usually compares your results to a “reference range.” That range shows what’s considered average in the population — but average doesn’t always mean healthy.

• Standard = average. Built from large populations, often including people with chronic illness.

• Optimal = function. Narrower ranges drawn from people who are thriving and resilient.

• The prevention sweet spot. Spotting a trend early gives you the chance to make small, targeted changes before it escalates into disease.

Patterns Tell the Story

No single number stands alone. Blood sugar affects blood pressure. Gut health influences inflammation. Thyroid balance shapes energy, mood, and heart rate. Looking for patterns across your numbers gives a far clearer picture of health than looking at one result in isolation.

Action Box — Start Here

✅ Collect your numbers: Keep your lab reports in a folder. They’re part of your health story.

✅ Watch the trend: A “normal” result that creeps up year after year still matters.

✅ Ask better questions: When told “your labs are fine,” follow up: Fine compared to average, or fine compared to optimal?

✅ Check the basics: Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and A1C are simple to measure and powerful to track.

✅ Stay proactive: Prevention means acting early. Your numbers are tools to guide you, not judgments to fear.

Learn More

Go to the Fullscript article, written by Jessica Christie, ND, which further discusses optimal lab interpretation by clicking here, or scan the QR code.

View this newsletter here.

10/1/2025