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Now available in B Better

Reading Labs (Interpreting Basic Blood Chemistry)
Course

Are your labs “normal”… but you still don’t feel right?
Learn to read your basic annual labs—CBC, CMP, lipids, inflammation & key vitamins—through a functional lens. See how functional vs. conventional ranges differ, prep correctly to avoid false readings, and know what to order and where so you can discuss results with confidence.

Is this you? You’ve been told “everything looks fine,” yet you have fatigue, hair changes, or brain fog; you want the right markers (not just TSH), a simple lab-prep checklist, and options to order labs if your provider won’t.

Not sure what your “normal” labs mean? Start here—one clear framework to interpret CBC, CMP, lipids, inflammation, and act with confidence.

2.9 hours

of training

Start Today

Instant access

End the Confusion. Read Your Labs with Confidence.


Whether your labs come back “normal” or full of numbers you don’t understand, this course gives you a calm, step-by-step way to read CBC, CMP, lipids, inflammation, and key vitamins through a functional lens—so you know what’s meaningful, what to recheck, and what to discuss with your clinician.

What You’ll Walk Away With

  1. Clarity on what your CBC/CMP/lipids actually mean—beyond “in range.”
  2. Confidence prepping for labs (fasting, meds/supplements, hydration) so results are reliable.
  3. A simple discussion plan for your next appointment: what to ask, what to re-test, and what to add to the panel.
  4. Pattern awareness over time (iron status, liver/kidney stress, glucose trends, inflammation) so you can track real progress.

What You’ll Gain Inside the Course

  • Functional vs. conventional ranges—where they differ and why it matters for symptoms.
  • Decision trees for each panel: when numbers suggest retest correctly, add a marker, or discuss further.
  • Lab-prep checklists to avoid false highs/lows
  • What to order & where if you need access options, plus sensible re-test intervals.
  • Case examples that tie results to real-world choices you can act on with your clinician.

What’s Inside the Interpreting Basic Blood Chemistry Course

This is a practical, modular reference—not a long lecture. You’ll learn to read CBC, CMP, lipids, inflammation, thyroid basics, and key vitamins through a functional lens: where optimal ranges differ from standard ones, what typical patterns drive highs/lows, when to recheck, and which add-on markers to consider next.

Your Course, Your Way

Jump straight to the marker you need—ferritin, ALT/AST, triglyceride:HDL, B12, vitamin D, and more—without watching end-to-end. Each marker page shows what it measures, optimal vs. conventional ranges side-by-side, the most common causes of highs/lows, and a simple decision path (recheck → add a marker → discuss with your clinician) so you can act with confidence.
Module 1: Read Labs the Right Way (Start with clarity & reliability)
Learn how functional and conventional ranges differ, why “normal” can still miss patterns, and the simple order to review any report. You’ll see where to start, when a value deserves a recheck, and which add-on markers make the next step clear.
Module 2: CBC: Oxygen, Infection, Nutrient Clues (Find anemia vs B12/folate fast)
Make sense of RBC, Hgb/Hct, MCV/MCH/MCHC, RDW, platelets, and the WBC differential. Spot anemia patterns (iron vs B12/folate), hidden inflammation or infection signals, and when the picture suggests adding ferritin, B12, or folate and setting a re-test window.
Module 3: CMP: Liver, Kidneys, Electrolytes, Glucose (Spot liver/kidney stress at a glance)
Read ALT/AST/ALP/bilirubin together for liver patterns, and BUN/creatinine/eGFR for renal stress. Understand sodium, potassium, CO₂ in context, and when glucose trends warrant checking fasting insulin or repeating under better conditions.
Module 4: Iron Status & Fatigue Workup (Confirm deficiency vs overload quickly)
Use ferritin, serum iron, TIBC, and transferrin saturation to separate deficiency from overload and inflammation effects. Learn common reasons these markers swing high or low, how to confirm the pattern, and sane re-test intervals before making changes.
Module 5: Lipids & Ratios That Matter (See insulin-resistance patterns early)
Go beyond total/LDL/HDL/TG and calculate triglyceride:HDL, non-HDL, and remnant cholesterol to see metabolic risk more clearly. Know when to add ApoB or Lp(a), what patterns point to insulin resistance, and how often to re-evaluate.
Module 6: Inflammation & Metabolic Signals (Know when “normal” still matters)
Use CRP and ESR appropriately, and read HbA1c alongside fasting glucose for trend-level insight. Learn when a “normal” number still deserves action, when to delay re-testing, and which markers to add if signals don’t match symptoms.
Module 7: Thyroid Basics in Bloodwork (Ask for the right add-ons)
Start with TSH in context and know when Free T4 and Free T3 are helpful. Recognize patterns that look “fine” on paper but fit symptoms, and when it’s reasonable to request antibodies or expand the workup.
Module 8: Key Vitamins & Homocysteine (Tie nutrients to symptoms)
Interpret vitamin D, B12, and folate with optimal ranges in mind and connect homocysteine to cardiovascular and nutrient status. See typical causes of highs and lows, when to confirm with a second marker, and how to choose a re-test cadence.
Module 9: Putting It Together (Cases & Next Steps) (Turn numbers into decisions)
Walk through case examples that show the decision path: recheck as is, add a marker, or bring a focused question to your clinician. You’ll leave with a simple way to track trends over time so you manage patterns, not one-off numbers.

About Bernadette Abraham, creator of Sleep Optimization Program

Bernadette Abraham is a UAE-based functional health educator, speaker, and best-selling author of UNJUNK: How to Raise Healthy Eaters in a Processed World. She’s the founder of B Better, a practical, root-cause health platform serving a global community of families, practitioners, and high-performers.

Through B Better, Bernadette has spent 15+ years simplifying cutting-edge science into everyday habits—helping people feel and function better without the overwhelm.

She holds a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering and an M.Sc. in Exercise Science & Health Promotion, and has spoken at events like MEFIT Pro and appeared across UAE radio & TV.

Why Bernadette created this course: Too many people hear “everything’s normal” while important clues sit in plain sight. Bernadette wrote this to demystify annual labs—CBC, CMP, lipids, iron/ferritin, B12/folate, vitamin D, and basic thyroid markers—so you can spot patterns (not just single numbers), understand functional vs. conventional ranges, and track trends over time. The aim is simple: help you advocate for the right follow-ups with your doctor and take clear, safe steps to support energy, mood, metabolism, and overall health.

Instructor Credentials

  • Founder of B Better, a root-cause health education platform delivering courses, programs, expert sessions, and practical protocols to members worldwide.
  • Author of UNJUNK: How to Raise Healthy Eaters in a Processed World (2013).
  • M.Sc. in Exercise Science & Health Promotion; B.Sc. in Computer Engineering; FNTP & AFMC-certified Functional Medicine Coach.
  • Creator of signature tools, courses and programs—including Sleep Optimization, 10-Day Cleanse, Adrenal Balance, Mineral Balance, SIBO/IBS Relief, and the ever-growing A-to-Z Symptom Dictionary—now a go-to framework for parents and busy professionals seeking deeper, more consistent sleep.
  • Featured across UAE media (Radio 2, Dubai Eye, Abu Dhabi Classic, Pearl FM, Pulse 95, City7 TV, Dubai One TV, Physique TV) and co-host of a prenatal fitness & nutrition series on MBC 1; speaker at MEFIT Pro, Women’s Health & Fitness, and more; confirmed TEDx speaker (March 2026).

WHAT B BETTER MEMBERS SAY
ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Nadia H.

I have thyroid issues and was monitoring every 6 months. No one ever told me to stop my B vitamins before testing. I didn’t know it could affect the numbers. Eye-opening course.

Brian C.
It feels so good to finally advocate for myself instead of just accepting “everything looks normal”. I was able to push and ask for more markers that they didn’t want to run initially.
Sofia M.
I knew exactly what to ask at my appointment and what to look for when the results came in. I feel so empowered.
Caroline W.
This is such an amazing reference. I go straight to the marker I need and it’s so well organized. The lessons are short, so it’s quick and easy to get the answers I need.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR
B BETTER MEMBERSHIP

When you join, you don’t just get lessons; you get a clear framework to read CBC, CMP, lipids, and thyroid basics, compare optimal vs standard ranges, and know what to recheck or add next.

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Your life-changing transformation starts
with B Better Membership!

Full access to all courses, programs, experts & community — save $600 with the Yearly Plan.
Monthly Plan

$99/month


  • Chat with Experts
    Ask unlimited questions
  • 10+ Foundational Courses
    $1200+ in value
  • 8+ B Better Programs
    Step-by-step health solutions
  • Unlimited Questions in Private Forum
    Save $100s on visits
Yearly Membership – Best Value

$49/month

Billed Annually

  • Chat with Experts
    Ask unlimited questions
  • 10+ Foundational Courses
    $1200+ in value
  • 8+ B Better Programs
    Step-by-step health solutions
  • Unlimited Questions in Private Forum
    Save $100s on visits

Join risk-free. Cancel anytime.

Yearly Membership – Best Value

$49/month

Billed Annually

  • Chat with Experts
    Ask unlimited questions
  • 10+ Foundational Courses
    $1200+ in value
  • 8+ B Better Programs
    Step-by-step health solutions
  • Unlimited Questions in Private Forum
    Save $100s on visits

Join risk-free. Cancel anytime.

Monthly Plan

$99/month

  • Chat with Experts
    Ask unlimited questions
  • 10+ Foundational Courses
    $1200+ in value
  • 8+ B Better Programs
    Step-by-step health solutions
  • Unlimited Questions in Private Forum
    Save $100s on visits

Still Have Questions?

Here are clear answers to help you decide with confidence.
Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. You can cancel your membership at any time with just the click of a button in your account settings. It’s quick, simple, and hassle-free.


If you’re on the monthly plan, your access continues until the end of your current billing cycle.
If you’re on the yearly plan, you’ll keep access until the end of your paid year.
We don’t offer refunds — but you’ll always keep full access for the time you’ve already paid for.

How do I access the course once I join?

You’ll get instant access to your member dashboard with all courses, programs, expert sessions, and resources.
On desktop, you’ll find it under “Learn → Courses.”
In the mobile app, it’s right on your home page under “Courses.”

Will this take a lot of time?

About 2.9 hours total, in short, modular lessons. But you can jump straight to the exact marker you care about (ferritin, ALT/AST, triglyceride:HDL, B12, vitamin D) without watching end-to-end.

Do I need expensive tests?
No. We focus on basic annual labs (CBC, CMP, lipids, inflammation, thyroid basics). You’ll see exactly when an add-on makes sense (for example ferritin, ApoB, Free T4/T3) so you don’t over-order. If your doctor won’t order a test, we share where to access labs independently and include resource options for multiple regions (US and international) so you can find a path that fits where you live.
What markers do you cover?
  • CBC – WBC differentials, RBC, Hgb/Hct, MCV/MCH/MCHC, RDW, Platelets,
  • CMP – ALT, AST, ALP, Bilirubin, BUN, Creatinine, eGFR, Sodium, Potassium, CO₂, Glucose
  • Iron Panel – Ferritin, Serum Iron, TIBC, Transferrin Saturation
  • Lipids – Total, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides
  • Inflammation/Metabolic – CRP, ESR, HbA1c (+ fasting glucose context)
  • Thyroid (Basics) – TSH (+ when to add Free T4/T3, reverse T3 and antibodies)
  • Vitamins & Homocysteine – Vitamin D, B12, Folate, Homocysteine
  • Ratios & Calcs – Triglyceride:HDL, Non-HDL, Remnant Cholesterol, A/G Ratio
Is this just theory or will I know what to do next?

You get optimal vs conventional ranges side-by-side, marker-by-marker decision paths (recheck, add a marker, discuss with your clinician), and case examples so you can take clear next steps.

What if my labs are “normal” but I still feel off?
That’s the gap this course fills. You’ll learn to spot patterns inside normal ranges (e.g., iron status, liver stress, insulin-resistance signals), when to recheck, and what to add next so the numbers finally match how you feel. And if you want an extra set of eyes, bring your panel to the community forum—our team of practitioners can point you toward sensible next steps.
Didn’t find the answer to your question?
Contact us for more information.