46: Your Labs Are ‘Normal’—But Are You Healthy? – The Truth About Optimal Ranges with Dr. Aaron Hartman

In this mini-episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman explains the crucial difference between “normal” and “optimal” lab values —a distinction that can make or break your long-term health strategy. While conventional lab ranges may label your results as “normal,” they often overlook early signs of dysfunction. Dr. Hartman dives into key health markers including glucose, liver enzymes, white blood cells, cholesterol, and thyroid function , showing how striving for optimal values can offer earlier, more effective paths to prevention and wellness. Listeners are encouraged to take a proactive approach to lab interpretation, engage with their healthcare providers, and even consider AI-supported tools to better understand their numbers—always in collaboration with medical guidance. Show Highlights: ✅ Why “normal” isn’t always healthy ✅ Optimal lab ranges for glucose, thyroid, WBCs, and more ✅ How standard lab reference ranges are created—and why they may mislead ✅ Early signs of imbalance to catch before symptoms appear ✅ How to talk to your doctor about deeper lab analysis ✅ Using AI tools as a guide—not a diagnosis In This Episode, You Will Learn: ✅ The difference between population averages and personalized optimal health ✅ The key markers Dr. Hartman reviews closely in functional medicine ✅ What to do when your labs are “normal,” but you still feel off ✅ The power of curiosity, data, and advocacy in modern health Resources & Links: 🌐 Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com 🌐 LinkedIn – Dr. Aaron Hartman: Connect Here 📺 YouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: Watch Here 🎧 Closing Call to Action: 👉 Want more clarity on your labs? Subscribe to Made for Health , send your lab-related questions for future episodes, and empower yourself with real data-driven wellness.