Diagnostics
What Your Lab Report Can and Cannot Tell You
5 March 20265 min read
A single value outside a reference range is information, not a diagnosis. Context is what makes a report meaningful.
Reference ranges are a guide
Reference ranges describe what is typical for a population, not what is correct for every individual. Small variations are common and often unimportant.
Why context matters
Your clinician reads a report alongside your symptoms, history and previous results. That is why interpreting a value on its own can be misleading.
Questions worth asking
Bring your report to the consultation and ask what it changes, if anything.
This content is for general education only and does not replace professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment. Please consult a qualified clinician about your individual situation.
