Hi Jeff,
I LOVED your post, and have been meaning to comment (I’m surprised more people haven’t chimed in).
Great, great observations, and I so don’t know how to answer your question about feeling better but having less than ideal lab results; however, I think this issue is worth exploring. I was talking about this with a friend the other day who feels better when she is a little heavier and, subsequently, her blood pressure runs a little too high. Her doctor is telling her to lose weight, or go on medication for her elevated bp. Now what is she supposed to do? I don’t know how to answer that. I think that you absolutely have to at least consider lab results. Are they everything? No, of course not. But they have to play some role, however large or small. I’m sure some are more important than others, and I also understand that people can be completely healthy while having their labs fall outside of the reference range. Also, I think that quality of life is vital, and if someone feels better and more vibrant with messy labs, that absolutely must be considered when weighing everything out. It’s that whole cost/benefit–risk/reward thing.
Regarding your particular situation. Maybe, you just swung the pendulum to far in the other direction? I suspect you will be able to find a happy medium. Hell, one day, maybe you will feel terrific and have labs to support it!
If not, I don’t know what the answer is. Thanks for the terrific post, Jeff!