Blood Testing for Health Assessment
Blood tests provide valuable information about a person's health status. When blood is drawn, it undergoes processing and analysis to identify various biomarkers.
Interpretation and Diagnosis
The test results help healthcare providers:
* Monitor chronic conditions like diabetes and cholesterol levels
* Identify underlying health issues, including heart disease, cancer, or other undiagnosed conditions
* Provide early warnings to facilitate proactive measures for health improvement
Reference Ranges
The term "reference range" is preferred to "normal range" because "normal" can vary across different populations.
Calculating Reference Ranges
* Define the population to which the range applies
* Determine the average value for the group
* Allow for natural variation (plus or minus 2 standard deviations)
For certain tests (e.g., cholesterol), target values have largely replaced normal ranges, achievable through lifestyle changes or treatment.
Individualized Assessment
Test results are interpreted within the context of a patient's:
* Personal circumstances
* Medical history
* Current medications
* Other relevant examinations
Statistical Variability
In a "normal" population, approximately 5% of individuals will have test results outside the reference range (1 in 20). This is because reference ranges are established based on the values found in 95% of the chosen population.
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.