Amidst the complex nature of human health, the notion that our blood composition – often an overlooked indicator – can be deeply entwined with our sleeping patterns might seem pretty esoteric.
However, as a functional medicine practitioner, my colleagues and I have found that understanding the nuances of your Complete Blood Count (CBC) can unlock profound insights into your sleep health. Check out my other article on how complete conventional work can support your sleep: The Role of Blood Work in Sleep Wellness.
By recalibrating our understanding of normal ranges towards optimal physiological levels, I’ve observed in my clinical practice that CBC can serve as a messenger, informing us of underlying imbalances that might impede our ability to rest.
In this piece, I aim to elucidate the lesser-explored frontier of CBC’s role in supporting optimal sleep and provide a perspective on how leveraging this knowledge might be the missing piece in your sleep wellness puzzle.
Understanding CBC and Its Association with Sleep Health
Before we dissect the profound connection between CBC and sleep health, it’s crucial to comprehend what a Complete Blood Count entails.
CBC is a blood test that measures various components within the bloodstream. It is a vital screening tool in the diagnosis and management of a wide range of medical conditions.
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is an encompassing test that evaluates several essential parameters of your blood. The primary components of a CBC panel include:
- Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count Measures the number of red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
- White Blood Cell (WBC) Count: Assesses the number of white blood cells, which are pivotal in fighting infection.
- Hemoglobin (Hgb): Looks at the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This measurement indicates the overall capacity of the blood to transport oxygen.
- Hematocrit (Hct): Represents the proportion of your blood volume that is comprised of red blood cells. This is crucial for determining the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.
- Platelets: Measures the small cells that are essential for blood clotting. A count is taken to monitor or diagnose diseases or to see how medication affecting platelets is working.
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): Measures the average size of your red blood cells and can help diagnose the cause of anemia or other blood disorders.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): The average amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell, offering insights into the type of anemia a person may have.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): The average concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of red cells, used to identify the nature of anemia.
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Assesses the variation in size of RBCs, which is valuable in understanding more about specific types of anemia.
These components collectively provide a comprehensive picture of a person’s overall blood health, offering insights into various conditions, from anemia to infections and even more complex diseases.
Understanding these measurements and their implications for health can empower you to take proactive steps in managing your well-being.
Reference Ranges Vs. Optimal Ranges
My stance is centered on more than what exceeds these reference ranges. My argument pivots on the importance of optimum, rather than normative, levels of these CBC components in the context of sleep health.
By monitoring fluctuations in CBC and striving for optimum levels, we can preemptively address potential problems that might be subtly chipping away at our sleep quality.
In my practice, I observe two paramount scenarios where CBC offers a window into a patient’s sleep health.
The Intricacies of Elevation in Red Blood Cell Components
The first revolves around Hemoglobin (Hgb), Hematocrit (Hct), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC).
These components are integral in painting a broader picture of one’s health, especially in uncovering the often-overlooked aspects of vitamin B deficiencies and potential methylation issues.
Slightly elevated or suboptimal ranges in these metrics can hint at underlying conditions that may not be immediately apparent.
For instance, an increased MCV could indicate Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, as these vitamins are crucial for DNA synthesis in red blood cell production.
Similarly, MCH and MCHC levels that stray from the norm can also suggest deficiencies in these essential nutrients. It’s worth noting that Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies can contribute to methylation disorders, a biochemical process vital for DNA repair, detoxification, and maintaining immune function.
On the contrary, low levels of Red Blood Cells and Hgb, indicative of anemia, also resonate deeply in the sphere of sleep. Anemic individuals frequently experience restless leg syndrome, which results in sleep disturbances.
Additionally, anemia’s characteristic fatigue can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, leading to sleep disturbances. Hence, ensuring a healthy range of RBCs reflects not just on your cardiovascular health but can also assuage sleep-related issues that stem from the lack thereof.
The Immune Quotient: White Blood Cell Differential and Sleep Health
The second significant aspect of CBC in my clinical observation is the White Blood Cell differential. Specifically, monitoring Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, and Eosinophils can unearth critical signs of immune functions that might affect sleep health.
Neutrophils are often the vanguards of our immunity. When consistently mildly elevated, they can delineate chronic bacterial infections, such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)—an often under-recognized culprit of sleep disruptions. Another example would be a Helicobacter pylori infection, which affects the stomach lining and can lead to ulcers and contribute to sleep issues.
Elevated levels of lymphocytes and monocytes, critical components in the body’s immune response, can sometimes signal the presence of low-grade viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6).
These infections often persist in the body in a latent state and can reactivate during periods of stress or when the immune system is compromised. One of the lesser-discussed yet significant impacts of these reactivations can be on sleep quality.
EBV and HHV-6 infections are known to interfere with the body’s sleep regulation mechanisms, potentially leading to conditions like insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns.
These disturbances affect nighttime rest and can also contribute to a cascade of daytime consequences, including reduced cognitive function, increased stress levels, and a general decrease in quality of life.
Recognizing these viral infections as potential culprits behind sleep issues underscores the importance of considering many potential factors in sleep disturbances and highlights the interconnectedness of immune health and sleep quality.
Eosinophils also demand attention. An elevation can indicate the presence of parasites or underlying food sensitivities, both of which can lead to adrenal activation, consequently affecting the ability to fall asleep and the quality of sleep.
Personal Patient Insight: The Food for Sleep
An anecdote from my clinical experience that has significantly shaped my perspective on CBC’s role in sleep health is about a patient who presented with Eosinophils within the reference range but not at their optimal levels.
Upon investigation, the root cause was traced back to food sensitivities, causing a nocturnal rise in cortisol levels that left her sleep elusive.
We recalibrated her eosinophil levels through an elimination diet and strategic dietary changes. Subsequently, we witnessed significant improvements in her sleep architecture, reinforcing the profound connection between CBC and sleep health.
The Call to CBC-Backed Action—How to Sleep Well Again
If the symbiotic relationship between CBC and sleep health is a new frontier for you, I urge you to take proactive steps.
It’s crucial to move beyond mere reference ranges, for within the often disregarded details of CBC lie actionable insights that can pave the way toward restful nights.
By becoming conscious of your CBC and making the necessary adjustments to achieve optimal levels, you might find the breakthrough you’ve been yearning for in your quest for undisturbed slumber.
Sleeping well often requires us to examine imbalances in the nervous system, digestion, hormones, and more. My book, “The Deep Blue Sleep—A Roadmap to Fall Asleep and Stay Asleep Naturally,” dives deep into holistic sleep solutions.
If you’d like support to sleep well at night in Boulder, Colorado or worldwide by telemedicine, make an appointment for a free consult or initial session.
