Hey guys!
The other day I asked Dr Ken Berry a question on his live broadcast. He told me that most doctors today don’t even know what Normal numbers are 
My doctor has told me that I DON’T have hyperinsulinemia because my test came back “Normal”. Anyone from experience know what Normal is?
I can post my numbers if needed. He also said my thyroid numbers were Normal as well.
The tests to get are fasting (12+ hour) blood glucose, insulin, and HbA1c, though there are others. Typically, they never give you fasting insulin.
Do you have these results?
As for thyroid, that’s complex. I recommend reading this series:
What constitutes the “normal” range depends on the laboratory’s testing methods, particularly on which particular test they used for the item in question. Your lab report should display a “normal” range for each test, right next to the measured value. If it does not, then you should complain to your physician about the laboratory.
The normal range for certain values is in dispute. For instance, the pharmaceutical companies keep lowering the “normal” level for LDL, so that more people can be prescribed statins. There is also some question about levels for thyroid function and vitamin C, since the reference ranges appear to be different for carb-burners and ketonians.
I’m surprised your doctor actually ordered a test for fasting insulin, since most don’t bother.
@Kyla_Siler Greetings Kyla - and welcome to the forum!
I’ll refrain from pretending I know what “normal” is …because of variations in methods across testing labs, because the best science is still a moving target on certain key metrics, because certain biomarkers discussed around here can change significantly from hour to hour when it comes to our individual food/energy cycles (they’re supposed to), and because no two of us are the same - genetically and epigenetically.
Having said all this, what are your eating habits? How are you feeling? Do you have particular symptoms of concern? Bloodwork can be helpful to “get to the bottom of things” … but the context really matters. And so, just looking at bloodwork without considering how your overall health is progressing over time can lead you down a lot of confusion and grief (and bad medicine).
Perhaps you can share a bit about what prompted your interest in Ken Berry’s broadcast?
Best wishes!
There’s no such thing as normal, only “normally normal”. I was told my Thyroid was fine (nope) and couldn’t get any thyroid meds to test that theory, so I self sourced some and holy crap was I right! Was burning fat off like it was my job!
Other hormones are the same way, I only feel awesome when my testosterone is on the very high end of the chart (or way off the charts for that) and my urologist at the time would only keep me in “range” which was a waste of my time. So I went to an optimization doc and now “lab range” doesn’t mean a whole lot.
My wife had the same exact experience. Couldn’t loose fat even when doing everything right, had super low energy, sluggish thyroid, I got her set up with another place and she’s doing awesome now!
Optimization docs are the way to go, downside is ins won’t pay for them, but for what you get it’s really not bad.
My deductible is so high now I have to pay for office visits myself anyway. The exception is one annual “wellness checkup” which insurance pays for.
Not to mention that what’s “normal” for people on high carb may or may not be what’s normal for people on low carb or keto or carnivore. Or for people who have been keto/carnivore for years.
I do high deductible as well, for my place at least, the initial consultation and bloodwork is only $115 (you’re getting their discount) and then my prescriptions, so if you figure in copays and those random lab bills that come after the fact from doctors offices and labs, it’s actually pretty doable. Only downside for me is I’m on some expensive “goodies” so no getting around that, but having a doc that doesn’t care about lab ranges and going for optimal targets instead of lab ranges is awesome.
I do like that I get the insurance-negotiated rate even if I have to pay for all of it myself.
I live in a poor state (Arkansas) and the doctors will work with you according to your budget. I had a bill for labwork the insurance wouldn’t cover and called my doctor to pay my bill. It was less than $100. They asked me how much I wanted to pay… I have been there in past years so appreciated the question.
How do you find an optimization doctor? Is there another term for them or do you do an internet search using that term?