Normal Isn’t the Goal: How Optimal Biomarkers Unlock Precision Wellness and Health Optimization

Your lab results aren’t just numbers — they’re a story. “Normal” ranges only rule out overt disease. “Optimal” ranges unlock energy, focus, and longevity..

A Story: When “Normal” Biomarkers Aren't Good Enough

A patient recently came to me complaining of feeling unusually sluggish. He was still getting through his day, but mornings felt like a constant uphill battle. He told me, “This just isn’t me.” He wanted to understand why.

We ran a broad panel of labs, and two results stood out: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)—biomarkers that reflect liver stress or damage. His results were ALT 30 U/L and AST 45 U/L.

On paper, these fell within the standard laboratory reference ranges: ALT 7–55 U/L and AST 8–48 U/L. Technically, his liver function tests were “normal.” But in reality, for a young, otherwise healthy male, those numbers were far from ideal. For optimal health, we want both ALT and AST to be under 17 U/L.

When we dug deeper, we discovered the culprit: a nightly habit of one or two beers to unwind after work. While socially “normal,” months of this routine had started taking a toll on his liver—and likely also on his sleep quality, hormones, and overall energy.

Together, we created a plan. He would gradually cut back his alcohol intake week by week and explore other stress-relief strategies: breathwork, meditation, stretching, and even a hot bath at the end of the day. At first, it wasn’t easy, but within six weeks, he had reduced his alcohol consumption to just two drinks per week.

When we rechecked his labs, the transformation was clear: his ALT and AST both dropped into the optimal range (<17 U/L). Even more importantly, his energy rebounded—he finally felt like himself again.

This case highlights the true power of aiming for optimal, not just “normal,” lab results. By holding biomarkers to a higher standard, we can detect subtle dysfunction that would otherwise slip under the radar. In this case, we not only restored his day-to-day energy, but also likely prevented a habit from devolving into long-term liver damage or even cirrhosis decades down the road.

Why “Normal” Biomarkers Fall Short of Achieving Precision Wellness and Health Optimization

It’s important to remember that what shows up as “normal” on a lab report doesn’t necessarily mean healthy. Reference ranges are created by averaging the values of the general population. The problem? The general population is not a model of good health. In fact, research shows that over 93% of U.S. adults have some degree of metabolic dysfunction (1). If “normal” is drawn from a pool where nearly everyone is metabolically unwell, then “normal” becomes a very low bar.

Normal ranges are also designed to catch overt disease, not subtle dysfunction. In other words, they tell us whether you’re sick—not whether you’re thriving. That’s why a typical primary care visit often runs a limited panel with broad cutoffs: it’s designed to rule out acute illness, not to optimize your long-term health trajectory. But if your goal is to feel energized, prevent chronic disease, and truly thrive, you’ll want to aim for values that reflect optimal physiology—not just an absence of disease. Holding biomarkers to a higher standard helps guide precision wellness interventions, supporting health optimization.

Table: Normal vs. Optimal Labs and Biomarkers

Below is a comparison of standard laboratory reference ranges versus optimal ranges for key biomarkers related to metabolic and overall health. While traditional lab ranges are designed to flag disease, optimal ranges—based on emerging research and clinical experience—aim to define the levels associated with peak physiological function and long-term vitality. The optimal ranges shown in the table below draw from insights gathered and published by Dr. Casey Means in her book “Good Energy”(2).

Lab/Biomarker	Normal Range	Optimal Range
Triglyceride	<150 mg/dL	<80 mg/dL
HDL	>40 mg/dL (men), >50 mg/dL (women)	50–90 mg/dL
Fasting glucose	<100 mg/dL	70–85 mg/dL
Waist circumference	<40 in (men), <35 in (women)	<37 in (men; <35 in for Asian/Central/South American men), <31.5 in (women)
Triglyceride to HDL ratio	No standard range	<1.5 is optimal; >3 suggests insulin resistance
Fasting insulin	<25 mIU/L	2–5 mIU/L
HOMA-IR (ratio incorporating fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels)	No standard range	<2 (lower is better)
C-reactive protein (CRP)	<1 mg/dL (low risk), 1–3 mg/dL (average), >3 mg/dL (high risk)	<0.3 mg/dL (lower is better)
Hemoglobin A1C	<5.7%	5.0–5.4%
Uric acid	2.5–6 mg/dL (men), 1.5–6 mg/dL (women)	<5 mg/dL (men), 2–4 mg/dL (women)
ALT	7–55 U/L	<17 U/L
AST	8–48 U/L	<17 U/L
GGT	8–61 U/L	<25 U/L (men), <20 U/L (women; some recommend <14 U/L for women)
Vitamin D (25-OH)	20–50 ng/mL	40–60 ng/mL
LDL-C	<70 mg/dL (very high risk), <100 mg/dL (high risk), <130 mg/dL (others)	<100 mg/dL
Blood pressure	<120/80 mmHg	<120/80 mmHg

Why This Matters for You

Your lab results aren’t just numbers—they’re a roadmap for optimizing how you feel and function every day. Just as my patient’s “normal” liver enzymes masked early strain from daily habits, your biomarkers can reveal subtle signals long before symptoms appear. By identifying and addressing those early deviations, you can fine-tune your nutrition, exercise, sleep, social connection, stress management, and supplementation to support true metabolic health—not just the absence of disease.

Re-testing over time turns this process into a feedback loop for progress. Watching your numbers shift toward optimal ranges is powerful validation that your efforts are working. Small, intentional changes can translate into measurable improvements in energy, focus, and longevity—the same way that reducing a few nightly beers restored one patient’s vitality and likely prevented long-term damage.

Partner with BlissElla to Take Control of Your Health

Your labs tell a story—and at BlissElla, we help you understand it. Instead of waiting until “normal” numbers become an overt problem, we focus on optimizing your biomarkers now so you can feel your best every day.

At BlissElla Physiologic Arts, we bring physician-led precision care directly to you—on your schedule, in the comfort of your own home. No waiting rooms, no rushed visits—just personalized, data-driven health optimization designed around your life.

Curious which labs might need the most attention? Try our Free Biomarker Quiz—a quick, symptom-based assessment that highlights which biomarkers may be out of balance and worth checking first. It’s an easy way to turn how you feel into actionable insight.

Explore our Common Lab Pricing List to see how accessible testing can be, and discover how simple it is to start building your own roadmap to optimal health.

Your body is always sending signals—let’s measure, understand, and optimize them together.

For ongoing insights, practical wellness tips, and real patient success stories, follow us on Instagram at @blissandella.

📬 Ready to get started? Reach out to BlissElla Physiologic Arts at blissellaphysarts@gmail.com or (857) 728-8871 to schedule your visit or learn more about our concierge lab and wellness services.

Disclaimer: The information on this site is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not create a physician–patient relationship with BlissElla Physiologic Arts, PLLC and/or the medical providers working for this practice. Always consult your personal healthcare provider before making medical decisions. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

References:

1.     O'Hearn M, Lauren BN, Wong JB, Kim DD, Mozaffarian D. Trends and disparities in cardiometabolic health among U.S. Adults, 1999-2018. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;80(2):138-151.

2.     Means C. Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Health You Can’t See. Penguin Life; 2024.