Reading a Blood Panel — The DH Method
From results to a prioritised action plan · danhunter.be
1
Safety scan first
Before anything else, check every value against critical thresholds. Coaching never overrides a red flag.
Any critical value
Refer to a physician for that issue. You can still coach the person — you don't manage that marker.All clear
Proceed to interpretation.↓
2
Is the sample telling the truth?
Rule out artefacts that fake abnormal results before you act on them.
Fasted 8h+?Hydrated?Hard training <48h?Alcohol this week?Recent illness/injury?
If a result is likely an artefact (dehydration ↑ albumin/RBC/Na; training ↑ AST; non-fasted ↑ glucose/TG) → re-test under clean conditions rather than chase it.
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3
Read against optimal, not just "normal"
Lab ranges are wide and built from an unhealthy population. Flag each marker as optimal / sub-optimal-low / sub-optimal-high using the DH optimal-range card. "In range" can still be far from healthy.
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4
Connect the dots — never read one marker alone
A single marker rarely means one thing. Look at how they interact — this is where real insight lives. Check the pattern list on the right.
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5
Prioritise by leverage
Don't fix 20 things. Group findings into themes and rank them. Insulin sensitivity usually comes first — it pulls triglycerides, uric acid, ALT and cortisol along with it.
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6
Ask, then match the protocol
Refine with client context, then apply the Nutrition / Supplement / Lifestyle protocol for the top theme. Root cause > suppression.
Symptoms?Diet / energy availability?Sleep?Stress?Menses (F)?Vegetarian?
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7
Action plan & re-test
One or two highest-leverage moves per priority, sequenced. Set a re-test window (usually 8–12 weeks) and define what would trigger a referral.
The 5 rules
1. Optimal ≠ normal.
2. Never read one marker alone.
3. Rule out artefacts before acting.
4. Prioritise by leverage, not by count.
5. Know where the line is — refer.
2. Never read one marker alone.
3. Rule out artefacts before acting.
4. Prioritise by leverage, not by count.
5. Know where the line is — refer.
Patterns to check (Step 4)
Masked anaemiaHigh MCV + "normal" RBC can hide a low count.
Iron deficiencyLow ferritin + low MCV + low transferrin sat.
Ferritin vs inflammationHigh ferritin + high CRP = inflammation, not overload.
TG:HDL ratio≥2 (mg/dL) → insulin resistance, small dense LDL.
Metabolic / fatty-liver clusterTG + ALT + GGT + uric acid + glucose together.
AST:ALT (De Ritis)≥2 → alcohol or muscle, not typical fatty liver.
Low bilirubin + low uric acidAntioxidants consumed → oxidative stress.
Low T3 + high reverse T3Conversion problem (dieting/stress), not gland failure.
Low albumin + high globulinChronic inflammation hidden by "normal" total protein.
Dehydration signatureAlbumin + RBC + Na + BUN all high together.
Refer out when…
Send to a physician for:
- Any critical / panic value
- Positive thyroid antibodies
- Markedly high liver enzymes or creatinine
- Glucose ≥126 / HbA1c ≥6.5% (diabetes range)
- Suspected overload (ferritin) or anaemia of unknown cause
- Any worrying symptom, regardless of the numbers
Coaching education only — not a medical diagnostic. Use with the DH Optimal Range Card and the Interpretation Engine. © danhunter.be