Stop Guessing at Lab Work. Start Seeing the Patterns.
The foundational blood chemistry course for functional practitioners — completely rebuilt from the ground up. 50+ markers. 7 body systems. One systematic framework. Under 10 hours.
"Everything Looks Normal."
Your client has symptoms. Their doctor ran labs. Everything came back "normal." But nothing about their health feels normal. You see the lab report and you know something is off — you just can't articulate what.
You're staring at a lab report hoping a pattern jumps out — but you don't have a system for finding it
You've memorized some ranges but can't see how markers connect across body systems
You default to the markers you're comfortable with and skip the ones you're not
You try to address everything at once because there's no clear prioritization
You're unsure how to explain findings to clients without overstepping your scope
You refer out too early — not because the case is beyond you, but because you don't trust your interpretation
The Three-Tier Decision Tree
A systematic clinical reasoning framework that tells you exactly where to look first, second, and third on every single panel. No more guessing. No more scattered protocols.
Blood Sugar & Metabolic
Insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction drive more downstream problems than any other category. When Tier 1 is unstable, Tiers 2 and 3 cannot fully resolve — regardless of what you do downstream.
Nutrients & Stress
Nutrient deficiencies, adrenal stress, and electrolyte imbalances. This is where most functional practitioners have the greatest clinical impact — and where the most actionable findings live.
Inflammation & Immune
Chronic inflammation is usually a consequence of Tiers 1 and 2, not an independent problem. Address the cause, not just the fire.
Thyroid
The canary in the coal mine. Thyroid dysfunction reflects problems in every system above it. Fix the foundation, and the thyroid often comes back online.
What You'll Be Able to Do After This Course
This isn't about memorizing marker ranges. It's about what changes in your practice, your confidence, and your client outcomes.
Read any standard blood chemistry panel with confidence.
No more staring at a lab report hoping a pattern jumps out. You'll have the Three-Tier Decision Tree — a systematic framework that tells you exactly where to look first, second, and third on every single panel.
Catch functional imbalances that conventional medicine misses.
Conventional lab ranges detect disease. Functional optimal ranges detect dysfunction BEFORE it becomes disease. You'll learn both ranges for every marker — and understand exactly where the gap is and why it matters.
Identify clinical patterns across 7 body systems + thyroid.
Individual markers tell you WHAT. Patterns tell you WHY. You'll see insulin resistance showing up across metabolic, liver, and inflammatory markers simultaneously. Iron deficiency progressing through three stages before it ever flags on a CBC. A stress pattern appearing in the adrenals, the immune system, and the thyroid.
Prioritize findings using a systematic decision framework.
The biggest mistake practitioners make is trying to address everything at once. The Decision Tree teaches you to work in order — metabolic foundation first, nutrients and stress second, inflammation third, thyroid last. This prevents the "kitchen sink protocol" that addresses nothing effectively.
Communicate findings to clients using scope-safe language.
You'll never have to wonder "can I say this?" again. Every module includes scope-safe language frameworks that let you educate your clients on what their labs show — all within your scope of practice.
Know exactly when to refer — and when you can confidently support.
Clear safety thresholds for every marker category. A Safety Scan checklist you can use on every panel in under 60 seconds. The confidence to know: this is in my scope, or this needs a physician.
Produce professional clinical summaries and retest plans.
Your clients walk away with a clear, organized summary of their findings, a prioritized strategy, and a specific retest plan with timelines. This is what separates a professional practitioner from someone who "knows some stuff about labs."
9 Modules. 7 Body Systems. Under 10 Hours.
Every module follows a consistent structure: markers, interpretation, clinical patterns, cross-system connections, scope-safe language, and case studies.
Foundations
Functional vs. conventional ranges, the Decision Tree, scope of practice, and how to read a lab report systematically.
Blood Sugar & Metabolic
Glucose, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, cholesterol panel. Insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, reactive hypoglycemia.
Liver & Detox
ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, LDH, bilirubin, albumin, globulin, A:G ratio, total protein. Liver congestion, detox stress, biliary dysfunction.
Kidney & Electrolytes
BUN, creatinine, eGFR, sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2, calcium, phosphorus, uric acid. Dehydration, adrenal stress, protein digestion.
Inflammation & Immune
hs-CRP, ESR, homocysteine, fibrinogen, full WBC differential, NLR. Six immune activation patterns and chronic inflammatory markers.
Iron & Red Blood Cells
Serum iron, TIBC, ferritin, iron saturation, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, platelets. Three-stage iron deficiency.
Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamin D, B12, folate, RBC magnesium. Methylation dysfunction, vitamin D insufficiency, and why standard supplementation often fails.
Thyroid
TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, TPO & TgAb. Primary hypothyroidism, poor conversion, stress-induced suppression, and the antibody layer.
Putting It All Together
Full panel walkthroughs, guided case studies, clinical summaries, retest plans, and BloodChem Studio introduction.
Who This Course Is For
This course is for you if:
This course is not:
More Than a Course. A Complete Practice Toolkit.
Blood Chem 101 doesn't just teach you to read labs — it gives you the tools, resources, and access to actually practice what you've learned.
Lab Ordering Through DHA Labs
Stop relying on doctors to order the right panels. Complete the course, pass the final exam, receive your certificate of completion, and unlock a practitioner account with DHA Labs — giving you the ability to order labs directly for your clients. You choose the markers. You control the panel. You get the results.
Written Transcripts of Every Lesson
Search, reference, and review any concept without rewatching video. Every lesson transcribed — so you can find exactly what you need, when you need it.
The Complete Practitioner Bundle — All 4 Guides
Four practitioner resources that cover the gaps between learning and practice — scope clarity, clinical method, communication framework, and marker-level depth. Included free with your enrollment.
- The Scope-Safe Practice Guide — education vs. diagnosis, scope-safe language, referral triggers, documentation templates
- The Blood Panel Blueprint — the 8-step clinical reasoning framework and printable reference card
- Understanding Functional Blood Chemistry: 80+ Markers — 50+ pages covering markers beyond what's taught in this course
- Top 40 Functional Lab Ranges Quick Reference — printable desk reference with functional and conventional ranges side by side
All three bonuses included free with Blood Chem 101 enrollment — over $275 in additional value plus lab ordering access you can't get anywhere else at this level.
Meet BloodChem Studio
The AI-powered clinical companion that turns your 101 knowledge into professional practice. What takes 45 minutes manually takes 2 minutes in BCS.
Applies functional optimal ranges automatically to every marker
Groups results by body system and color-codes every marker by range — so you see what's optimal, borderline, and flagged at a glance
Identifies cross-system connections
Flags safety thresholds and referral triggers
Generates scope-safe clinical reports and client handouts
Tracks progress across multiple lab draws
10-day free trial • 10% off your first year
What Practitioners Are Saying
"I already feel so much more confident in the level of service and professionalism I can offer my clients. Michael's attention to detail, in-depth knowledge and experience far exceeded my high expectations!"
Jillian Warwick
FNTP, FBCS, RWP
"If you are on the fence, don't be. The ROI of this course is far beyond the price tag. Do yourself and your clients a favor, get this course!"
Bess Crumpton
FBCS, FNTP, PHC
Meet Michael Rutherford
I built the Three-Tier Decision Tree from thousands of real clinical panels — not from a textbook. My background is in cognitive decline assessment, where missing a pattern isn't a minor oversight. It's the difference between catching early dysfunction and watching someone's brain deteriorate for years before anyone connects the dots.
That clinical standard is what I bring to every module in this course. 10+ years interpreting blood chemistry. Thousands of panels. 600+ practitioners trained. And I built BloodChem Studio because I got tired of doing the math by hand.
I teach the way I wish someone had taught me — direct, systematic, no fluff.
101 Is the Starting Point, Not the Destination.
Blood Chem 101 gives you genuine competency across all major marker categories. When you're ready to go deeper, the path is clear.
Blood Chem 101 — You Are Here
The foundation across all major marker categories. 50+ markers, the Decision Tree, clinical patterns, scope-safe language.
Mastery Sub-Units
Go deep in specific systems — advanced markers, complex patterns, detailed protocols. Four focused tracks available.
Mastering the Art of Functional Blood Chemistry
The full 50-hour certification. 18 weeks, live cohort, advanced clinical reasoning, FBCS certification eligibility.
BloodChem Studio
Your AI-powered clinical companion. Available from day one — grows with you as your skills advance.
Blood Chemistry 101
Completely rebuilt. Launching soon. Join the waitlist to be first in line — and get the Three-Tier Decision Tree free today.
- 50+ blood markers with functional optimal ranges
- 9 modules covering 7 body systems + thyroid
- Clinical patterns in every module
- Three-Tier Decision Tree framework
- Scope-safe language frameworks
- Case studies and full panel walkthroughs
- Lab ordering access through DHA Labs
- Full course transcripts
- The Complete Practitioner Bundle (4 guides, $74.96 value)
- BloodChem Studio integration
- Lifetime access
Common Questions
When does the course launch?
Soon. The entire course has been rebuilt from the ground up and we're in the final stages. Waitlist members will be the first to know when doors open — with early access before the public launch.
Do I need any prior training?
No. This course is designed for the foundations up. If you're a health coach, nutritionist, or wellness practitioner who wants to understand blood chemistry, this is the right starting point.
Is this within my scope of practice?
Yes. This course teaches you to interpret labs and educate clients — not diagnose. Every module includes scope-safe language frameworks and clear referral thresholds.
How is this different from the previous version?
This is not an update — it's a complete rebuild. New curriculum architecture, a brand-new clinical reasoning framework (the Three-Tier Decision Tree), expanded marker coverage (50+), clinical patterns in every module, and cross-system connections throughout.
What if I want to go deeper?
101 is the foundation. When you're ready, the Mastery Sub-Units go deep into specific systems, and the full MTAOFBC certification gives you 50 hours of advanced clinical reasoning with live cohort training.
What do I get by joining the waitlist?
Early access when doors open, the Three-Tier Decision Tree one-pager (free, instant download), and practitioner-focused emails to help you start thinking systematically about blood chemistry before the course even begins.
How does the lab ordering access work?
Complete the course, pass the final exam, and receive your certificate of completion. That certificate unlocks a practitioner account with our lab partner DHA Labs — giving you the ability to order blood panels directly for your clients. No more relying on doctors to choose the right markers.
What's included beyond the course itself?
Lab ordering access through DHA Labs, full written transcripts of every lesson ($200 value), and The Complete Practitioner Bundle — four PDF guides covering scope-safe practice, clinical methodology, 80+ markers, and a printable quick-reference card. Over $275 in bonus resources included free.
The Foundation Every Functional Practitioner Needs.
Completely rebuilt from the ground up. 50+ markers. 7 body systems. One systematic framework. Launching soon.
