Definition of Reference Ranges
Reference ranges are the values that a population is most likely to have. These ranges are used by healthcare professionals to interpret test results for individual patients.
Standard Ranges vs. Optimal Ranges
Reference ranges may differ from optimal ranges, especially for vitamins and blood lipids. Optimal ranges represent levels associated with optimal health or minimal risk.
Understanding Test Results
* Reference Range: The range in which 95% of a population's values fall.
* Optimal Range: The range that promotes optimal health.
Lab-to-Lab Variability
* Test results may vary slightly between labs due to different equipment and techniques.
* Always use the range provided by the lab that performed your test.
Understanding Lab Reports
* Most people can access their test results online.
* Many reports lack clear explanations for non-healthcare professionals.
* The information below provides guidance on interpreting lab results and explains why reference ranges are not always provided on this site.
DDxHub is a concentrator that holds a lot of disease descriptions. It relies on the System knowledgebase to diagnose a health condition.
Differential diagnosis Hub is the System distinguishing of a particular disease or health condition from others.