Blood Tests: Reference Range vs. Optimal Range in Sacramento
Has your doctor told you “your blood test results are completely normal” — but instead of feeling relieved, you felt worse, knowing something was wrong but unable to get answers? You’re not alone. And the reason may be simpler than you think: the reference ranges used by conventional labs are designed to avoid a diagnosis, not to optimize your health. At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center in Sacramento, CA, we do blood testing differently. Call (916) 446-2591 to experience the difference.
FREE 15 Minute ApptThe Problem with Standard Reference Ranges
Some tests just shouldn’t be graded on a curve.
“Normal” laboratory reference ranges used by standard labs are designed with one primary goal: identifying and diagnosing disease states. The ranges are calculated to include approximately 95% of the sampled population within the “clinically normal” range. On the surface, this sounds reasonable — but here’s the critical problem: as the population becomes progressively sicker, the definition of “normal” shifts to match a sicker baseline. When the average American is overweight, sleep-deprived, deficient in Vitamin D, and carrying a chronic inflammatory burden, being “normal” relative to that population is not something to celebrate.
As Dr. Godby writes: “Is it good enough for you to be compared to the rest of the sick population and be judged as ‘normal’ by conventional medicine — or do you have more lofty goals, like sleeping well; being headache-free, at a healthy weight; having energy to live your life; having bowel regularity; a short-term memory; a libido; stable blood sugar; not craving sugar — and actually feeling joy?”
What Are Optimal Ranges?
Optimal ranges are tighter, more demanding reference values based on the lab values associated with true health, vitality, disease prevention, and optimal physiological function — not just the absence of diagnosable disease. They are used by naturopathic and functional medicine doctors who are trained to spot the patterns of emerging disease on blood tests, not just frank pathology.
At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center, Dr. Godby uses OptimalDX software to evaluate every blood panel against optimal ranges, producing a detailed personalized report that identifies where your results fall relative to true health — not just the sick-population average. This means we can catch meaningful imbalances and create targeted interventions years before they would become a conventional diagnosis.
View Dr. Godby Adult Essential Panel Results Tracking Form
A Practical Example: Vitamin D
Standard conventional labs typically flag a Vitamin D (25-OH) level as “deficient” only when it falls below 20 ng/mL — and consider anything above that as “normal.” But mounting research shows that optimal Vitamin D levels for immune function, bone density, cancer prevention, cardiovascular health, and mood are in the range of 60–80 ng/mL. A patient with a Vitamin D level of 22 ng/mL would be told “your levels are fine” — yet they’re operating at a fraction of their potential and may be at significantly elevated risk for chronic disease.
This same principle applies across dozens of markers in your blood work — from thyroid function and iron to magnesium, homocysteine, blood sugar, and inflammatory markers.
How We Approach Blood Testing at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center
At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center, our comprehensive blood panels are evaluated with three purposes in mind:
- Preventing disease — catching patterns and trends before they become diagnoses
- Optimizing health — identifying imbalances that are holding you back from feeling your best
- Educating you — giving you actionable information about lifestyle, diet, and supplementation changes that can make a real difference
Visit our Blood Test Panels & Pricing page to view our available panels, or call (916) 446-2591 to schedule your functional blood test evaluation at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center in Sacramento, CA.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reference Ranges vs. Optimal Ranges
What is the difference between a lab reference range and an optimal range for blood tests?
A lab reference range is a statistical value calculated to include approximately 95% of a sampled population — designed to identify disease. An optimal range is a tighter set of values associated with genuine health, vitality, and disease prevention. At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center, Dr. Godby evaluates all blood panels against optimal ranges using OptimalDX software, identifying meaningful imbalances that standard testing would declare “normal.”
Why do I feel unwell even when my blood tests come back “normal”?
Because “normal” in conventional medicine means you’re within the range of the general population — which is increasingly unhealthy. You may have Vitamin D at 25 ng/mL, TSH at 3.8, or fasting blood sugar at 95 — all “normal” by standard ranges but clearly suboptimal by functional standards. These are exactly the kinds of patterns our naturopathic doctors at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center are trained to identify and address.
What is the OptimalDX software that Dr. Godby uses?
OptimalDX is a specialized clinical software that allows practitioners to evaluate blood work against optimal, science-based ranges rather than standard reference ranges. It produces a detailed, easy-to-understand report that shows where each of your markers falls relative to optimal health — not just the disease/no-disease binary of conventional labs. Every patient who has blood work done at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center receives a personalized OptimalDX report reviewed in full by their naturopathic doctor.
What specific markers are evaluated against optimal ranges at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center?
All markers on our blood panels are evaluated against optimal ranges, including CBC with differential, comprehensive metabolic panel, thyroid (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3), lipid panel, Vitamin D, B12/folate, iron/ferritin, magnesium (RBC), CRP (inflammation), homocysteine, fasting glucose and insulin, HbA1c, and many more depending on the panel selected. Visit our Blood Test Panels & Pricing page for full panel details.
Can optimal range blood testing help prevent serious disease?
Yes — and this is one of its most important applications. Many serious chronic diseases — including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, thyroid disorders, and certain cancers — have patterns on blood tests that are visible years before symptoms develop or a formal diagnosis would be made by conventional medicine. By identifying these patterns early and intervening with targeted natural therapies, we can change the trajectory of disease before it becomes serious.
How is Dr. Godby’s approach to blood testing different from a conventional physician?
Dr. Godby approaches blood testing as a detective — looking for patterns and connections that tell a story about your health. He evaluates results against optimal ranges, considers how multiple markers interact, and creates personalized intervention plans based on his findings. Unlike a conventional physician who may simply look for values outside the reference range, Dr. Godby is looking for what is standing between you and your best health.
How do I get started with optimal range blood testing at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center?
Call (916) 446-2591 to schedule your consultation. We’ll review your health history and goals, recommend the most appropriate panel for your needs, and review your results in full with a personalized action plan. Visit our Blood Test Panels & Pricing page or our Important Questions About Blood Tests page to learn more.