Biomarkers
Biomarkers are measurable substances, usually proteins encoded by DNA, which provide useful information about medical conditions or disease processes. They can help establish baseline health status and provide objective goals which can be clinically monitored and used to track your progress.
Biomarkers help to make more precise diagnoses, prescribe more effective, individualized treatments, predict disease, take preventative measures and avoid unnecessary treatment.
There are two mains ways of assessing biomarker ranges: a pathological range and a functional range.
- The pathological range is used to diagnose disease.
- The functional range is used to assess risk for disease before disease develops.
Typical reference ranges provided with laboratory testing results are reported in “pathological ranges” which typically reflects any number out of this range as having an underlying potential disease process. The Institute for Human Optimization uses this information to help identify and prevent specific conditions using a proactive preventative approach to laboratory medicine.
