Functional Medicine Lab Work: How Nurses Review, Educate, and Advocate for Better Results
Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at fxnursing.com
Lab work is a cornerstone of functional medicine, but many patients are told their results are “normal” even when symptoms persist. In this episode, Brigitte Sager explains how functional medicine interprets labs differently by looking for optimal ranges and early patterns that can reveal insulin resistance, inflammation, thyroid conversion issues, and more before a diagnosis is made. She also clarifies what’s within an RN’s scope of practice when reviewing labs, and shares practical options for helping clients access testing through prior labs, provider collaboration, and lab-ordering platforms.
Key Takeaways
Why “normal” labs may still be suboptimal in functional medicine
Early signs of insulin resistance and inflammation that often go unnoticed
Thyroid testing basics: TSH vs a more complete functional view
RN scope of practice: educating on labs vs diagnosing
When testing helps and when lifestyle-first care is enough
Practical ways nurses can support clients in accessing lab work ethically
To explore safe and effective ways for nurses to use labs in their practice, consider reading THIS ARTICLE Brigitte wrote on the topic.
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The content in these podcast episodes are for informational or educational purposes brought to you by a Functional Nurse Practitioner and does not substitute professional medical advice or one-on-one consultation with your personal healthcare practitioner. It is strongly recommended that you always consult your healthcare practitioner before undertaking any new healthcare regimen to discuss your personal health history and goals.
