Understanding Laboratory Test Reports
Reference Ranges
* Laboratories provide test results with reference ranges printed below each result.
* Reference ranges vary between laboratories due to different testing methods.
* Reference ranges help determine if test results are within normal limits, low, or high.
Interpreting Results
* Consider the individual's health history, habits, lifestyle, and other factors when interpreting results.
* Test methodologies and population norms (based on factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity) also influence results.
Factors Affecting Results
* Dietary habits
* Age
* Gender
* Menstrual cycle
* Exercise
* Sample collection issues
* Medications (prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins)
* Smoking
* Alcohol consumption
Abnormal Results
* A result outside the reference range does not necessarily indicate a health issue.
* It can be a sign of an underlying condition that needs further investigation.
* Discuss abnormal results with your healthcare provider.
* Remember that medical laboratory tests are tools for assessing health status, but not the sole basis for diagnosis or treatment decisions.
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.