Your Health Markers: Functional vs Conventional Ranges in Inflammation & IBD

Recipe

5 May

Written By Bree Skoczek

1. Conventional vs Functional Ranges

Conventional ranges are designed to detect active disease or severe inflammation. They often miss subtle imbalances.
Functional ranges are narrower and focus on optimal health, helping us identify early signs of inflammation before it triggers flare-ups.

💡 Example:

CRP (C-reactive protein)
- Conventional: <10 mg/L = “normal”
- Functional: <1 mg/L = optimal (anything above 1 can suggest low-grade, hidden inflammation).

2. Why Optimal Ranges Matter for Gut Health

You can experience IBD symptoms even when conventional labs appear “normal.”
Functional ranges highlight subtle inflammation that can drive fatigue, gut irritation, and flare risk.
Staying within optimal ranges supports remission, healing of the gut lining, and long-term resilience.

📊 Examples:

Calprotectin (stool test)
- Conventional: <250 µg/g = “normal”
- Functional: <50 µg/g = optimal for gut repair and reduced flare risk.
Vitamin D
- Conventional sufficiency: >30 ng/mL
- Functional: 50–80 ng/mL = optimal for calming the immune system and lowering inflammation.

3. Lifestyle Factors That Influence Inflammation

Your daily choices directly affect your lab markers and gut health:

Nutrition: Anti-inflammatory foods (omega-3s, colorful veggies, whole foods) help repair the gut and reduce flares. Highly processed foods, excess sugar, and alcohol can drive inflammation.
Stress & Mindset: Chronic stress increases cortisol, disrupts the gut lining, and worsens inflammation. Relaxation practices and nervous system support can lower flare frequency.
Sleep: Deep, restorative sleep helps regulate immune responses and repair tissue. Poor sleep raises inflammatory markers like CRP.
Environment: Medications (NSAIDs), toxins, smoking, and certain food sensitivities can trigger inflammation and worsen symptoms.

4. Smart Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider

“Am I in the optimal range for inflammation markers, not just the conventional one?”
“What do my CRP or calprotectin levels mean for my gut health today?”
“How do lifestyle factors—like diet, stress, and sleep—affect these markers?”
“Can we track my results over time to watch for trends instead of waiting for a flare?”
“Are there natural or integrative strategies that can help reduce inflammation and support remission?”

✨ Bottom line: Functional medicine helps you move from ‘normal’ to optimal. For IBD and inflammatory conditions, this means calming the fire, protecting your gut lining, and restoring long-term vitality.