I am certain that most/all of you have seen your laboratory blood tests on a report that provides your levels and then to the right, the range of numbers that is considered “normal”. If you have any results that are outside these parameters they will appear in a different color and labeled as “abnormal”. When I go over the results with patients I often need to allay lots of their anxieties when explaining why the “abnormal” readings are not anything to worry about.
There are many levels that we monitor from a health standpoint that are subject to a “normal” range, such as:
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Cholesterol levels
- Vitamin D levels
- Renal function testing
- Liver enzymes
- Weight
There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of “things” we measure in our bodies that are subject to “normal” parameters.
We may start with a VERY abnormal testing, such as a blood pressure of 180/120 and therapy brings this down to let’s say 142/88. Even though the 142/88 is not “normal” it is certainly not nearly as dangerous/problematic as that original 180/120. Similarly, a diabetic patient with a starting fasting blood sugar of 320 is still not “normal” at 130, but this is a MUCH better/healthier reading than the original.
Concerning weight, the “normal” BMI is less than 25. However, for the person starting with a BMI of 36 (obesity range) that sheds weight and brings the BMI down to 27 (overweight range) even though 27 is not “normal”, that person has done a GREAT job in improving his/her health.
The point: Despite not making it to the “normal” range, there are many improvements we can make to our health that will bring us LOTS of health benefits despite still being in the “abnormal” range. Everything does NOT have to be “normal” for us to improve our health and quality/quantity of life.
And although I do not normally listen to music from the 1950’s the other day I heard a song while watching a movie that did make me smile.
Here goes…
