Optimal vs Normal

Many clients reach out to me with milk supply issues, not making as much as they want/need. Many have already seen their OB or PCP and have been told: “Everything looks good; maybe you just can’t make much milk”. If they couldn’t make urine, would they be brushed off? No, because making urine is a normal body function that should be able to happen without us doing much for it! Well, besides staying hydrated, as that’s always a good idea.

One of the first things I do is go through their medical history and as how they have been feeling. Not just now, not about their supply, but overall health. How did they feel before pregnancy, during and now postpartum? Are they struggling with fatigue, joint pain, depression, anxiety, hormonal swings? Yes, each symptom could have many different causes, but it helps to build the picture, to put the puzzle together.

After medical history I might suggest labs. Using their symptoms and medical history as a guide we should be able to figure out what could be an issue and ask for labs to test this theory. It is possible to order your own labs cheaply, but we can usually get the OB or PCP to order labs. That way they are covered by insurance and reduce cost. Plus this would also keep the results in the client’s medical history, which is helpful for getting care.

Now labs are an interesting thing, and very, very complex. It’s so much more than “is the number for result X good or bad”? More like “If lab A is 5, and lab B is 47 and lab C is 0.2 how do they all work together?”. Which is why it’s complex, it’s not just what a number is, but how each number works together.

Looking at thyroid labs for instance, is SOOOOO much more than just a TSH! First, there are more thyroid labs such as Free T3, Free T4, TPO Antibodies, etc, but there are also lots of other things to look at too. Things such as magnesium, selenium, and zinc affect the thyroid’s ability to function. Looking deep at all of these things really helps put the puzzle together.

Then we have the difference between “normal” and “optimal”. The range most labs are compared against is what is considered normal. Do you know where that comes from? It’s from the local population, it’s the most common numbers that are seen in the local population, but it assumes that population is healthy, and with the state of the US, that’s doubtful! Now, optimal is the number or range that will help your body function at it’s best. To help you feel good, not just to avoid death!

This isn’t just about milk supply, it is about feeling good! Every person should feel as good as they can. If their thyroid is working optimally, or their iron isn’t depleted, being a new parent (with all of it’s sleep deprivation) will be that much easier. So next time you think about your labs, not just look at a number and compare it to the range on the side, or listen to your MD when they say “all good”. Labs are a time to really study and dig deep, to help you thrive.

If you are struggling with supply and not feeling good, reach out to get started on your puzzle!