Published: 20 Aug 2024

Revised Content:

False Positives and Negatives

While false positives and negatives are infrequent, your healthcare provider may need to perform multiple tests to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

Factors Influencing Test Results

Numerous factors can influence the accuracy of test results, including:

* Certain foods and beverages
* Medications
* Stress
* Intense exercise
* Variations in laboratory procedures
* Underlying medical conditions

Additional Information

* False positives indicate a test result that suggests a condition or disease is present when it is not.
* False negatives indicate a test result that suggests a condition or disease is not present when it is.
* These incorrect results are uncommon but may occur with specific types of tests or when testing is not performed correctly.

Measurement Units

Blood test reference ranges vary depending on the measurement units used. In the United States, they are typically expressed in deciliters (dL) or grams per deciliter (g/dL). In other regions, such as Sweden, liters (L) or grams per liter (g/L) are commonly employed.

Interpretation

Healthcare professionals use reference ranges to interpret blood test results. These ranges can vary slightly depending on the laboratory and measurement units used.