Published: 18 Feb 2024

Understanding Lab Results

Purpose of Tests

We provide information about the purpose of each test on this site. However, we cannot interpret your results without additional information, as we are not aware of all factors that may influence them.

When to Seek Professional Advice

For further explanations or concerns about your results, consult your healthcare provider, even for tests with reference ranges (such as the basic metabolic panel).

Decision Limits

For certain tests, established decision limits (upper or lower analyte quantities) are more informative than reference ranges. These limits indicate a disease state or need for treatment, such as blood glucose levels for diagnosing diabetes.

Reference Ranges and Individual Variability

Reference ranges are averages from a group of healthy individuals. Results outside these ranges may not necessarily indicate a health issue, while those within the range may not guarantee well-being. Further testing may be necessary if your results fall outside the range or if you experience symptoms.

Interpretation by Healthcare Providers

Healthcare providers interpret lab results within the context of your medical history and current presentation. This personalized interpretation cannot be provided by a website.

Positive and Negative Results

Your results may include terms like "negative" or "normal" (no disease or substance detected) and "positive" or "abnormal" (disease or substance detected).

Inconclusive Results

An "inconclusive" result indicates insufficient information to diagnose or rule out a condition. Further testing will likely be required.

Test Types and Reporting Methods

Tests that measure organ function or system health often provide results as reference ranges, while tests that diagnose or rule out specific diseases often use positive/negative reporting.