The most important thing to understand
“Normal” and “optimal” are not the same thing.
Lab reference ranges are built from population statistics — the middle 95% of everyone who has taken that test, many of whom are not healthy. A ferritin of 12 ng/mL sits comfortably inside the standard range. Most patients with ferritin at 12 have fatigue, hair loss, and poor concentration. The number is “normal.” The patient is not well.
Meliora uses optimal ranges — clinically derived targets at which patients actually feel and function well. Every value in your report is evaluated against these targets, not population averages.
The process, step by step
Step 01
Your blood is drawn in-office
We draw blood at our Evanston office using a comprehensive panel — far more thorough than a standard annual physical. The blood goes to a certified laboratory (Health Lab) for processing.
Step 02
The lab sends a PDF report
Within 5–10 business days, the lab sends a PDF containing every marker — the raw numbers, units, and their reference range flags. This is the raw data file.
This PDF uses the lab's standard reference ranges — not Meliora's optimal ranges. The numbers are the same; the interpretation is different.
Step 03
Staff uploads the PDF to the admin portal
At melioramed.com/admin/labs, our team uploads the PDF. An AI model (Claude by Anthropic) reads every value — marker name, number, unit, and lab flag — and structures it into a clean dataset.
The AI reads the PDF like a trained assistant would — finding every row and extracting it accurately. Staff review the extraction before saving.
Step 04
The extraction is reviewed and saved
Staff verify the extracted values match the PDF, confirm the patient name, and click "Save." The report is now stored securely in Meliora's system and linked to the patient's account.
Step 05
The report is generated — with Dr. Chua's context
The report is formatted into four panels — Hormone, Thyroid, Nutrient, and Metabolic — and compared against Meliora's optimal ranges. An AI model generates a one-sentence clinical note for each marker that's out of range.
These notes are not a diagnosis. They provide context for Dr. Chua's conversation with the patient — explaining what a low ferritin or suboptimal T3 typically means clinically.
Step 06
You review your results
The formatted report is available in your patient portal under "My Lab Reports." Each value shows whether it's within Meliora's optimal range — color-coded for fast review. Dr. Chua walks through the full picture at your consultation.
What we test — and why
The Meliora panel is organized into four groups. Each captures a different dimension of your health — and together they tell a complete story.
Hormone Panel
Estradiol, Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA, FSH, IGF-1
Hormones regulate energy, mood, sleep, weight, and cognitive function. Small imbalances create large, diffuse symptoms that are easy to miss in isolation.
Thyroid Panel
TSH, Free T4, Free T3
Standard care only tests TSH — but TSH reflects pituitary signaling, not cellular thyroid function. We run the full panel to catch T3 conversion issues and subclinical hypothyroidism.
Nutrient Panel
Ferritin, Vitamin B12, Folate, Vitamin D (25-OH)
These are the deficiencies most commonly missed by standard care — and most commonly driving fatigue, brain fog, hair loss, and hormonal disruption.
Metabolic & Cardiovascular
HbA1c, Fasting Glucose, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL, hsCRP
Insulin resistance can be present long before HbA1c flags it. CRP reveals systemic inflammation. We evaluate each marker at optimal levels — not just "not yet diseased."
Reading the color codes
Every value in the report is tagged with one of four status labels. Here's what each means in plain language.
This marker is where it needs to be. No action required.
This value is below Meliora's optimal target. Often supports nutrient repletion or hormonal support.
This value is above optimal. May indicate inflammation, imbalance, or metabolic stress.
Still outside optimal range, but trending in the right direction since a previous draw.
Optimal vs. standard — key differences
Here are the markers where Meliora's targets differ most significantly from standard reference ranges — and why it matters.
Common questions
My value is "within optimal range" but the lab PDF flagged it. Which is right?
The lab PDF uses the lab's own reference ranges. Meliora's report uses different — typically narrower — optimal targets. Both are technically accurate. Meliora's ranges are the ones that guide Dr. Chua's clinical decisions.
What does the AI-generated note mean?
Each out-of-range marker gets a one-sentence context note generated by Claude (Anthropic's AI model). It explains the clinical significance of that value — not a diagnosis, but the kind of context Dr. Chua would use when discussing the marker with you.
Can I share this report with my other doctors?
Yes — use the Download / Print button. The PDF version is formatted to be readable by any physician. Note that the "Optimal Range" column reflects Meliora's clinical targets, not standard reference ranges.
Why are some markers listed without an optimal range?
Hormones like estradiol and progesterone are cycle-phase dependent — the same value means different things on day 3 vs day 21. Dr. Chua interprets these in the context of your cycle timing and symptoms, not a fixed numerical target.
How long does it take for my report to appear in the portal?
Once the lab sends the PDF (typically 5–10 business days after your draw), our team processes it and links it to your account. You'll see it in your portal within one business day of receipt.