What is a medical reference range?
Listen to pronunciation. (REH-frents raynj) In medicine, a set of values that a doctor uses to interpret a patient’s test results. The reference range for a given test is based on the results that are seen in 95% of the healthy population.
How do I check my reference range?
The guideline emphasizes that three approaches can be used to verify RIs: (1) a subjective assessment, (2) using a small number of reference individuals (e.g. n=20) and (3) using a large number of reference individuals (e.g. n=60, but fewer than 120) [6].
What are the normal ranges for blood test results?
Normal Laboratory Values
| Laboratory Test | Normal Range in U.S. Units | Normal Range in SI Units |
|---|---|---|
| Neutrophils | 45-75% of white blood cells | 0.45-0.75 fraction of white blood cells |
| Phosphorus | 2.5-4.5 mg/dL | 0.81-1.45 mmol/L |
| Platelets (Thrombocytes) | 130-400 x 103/µL | 130-400 x 109/L |
| Potassium | 3.4-5.0 mmol/L | 3.4-5.0 mmol/liter |
What is Si reference intervals?
The reference intervals are given in SI and conventional units, wherever possible, with the factor for converting from SI to conventional units. To convert from an SI unit to a conventional unit, multiply by the conversion factor. To convert from a conventional unit to an SI unit, divide by the conversion factor.
Why do different labs have different reference ranges?
A reference range can vary between different laboratories when a collection of people who are considered ‘normal’ are used to establish a reference range for a given blood test. Complex mathematics are applied to allow for a natural variation within this chosen collection of people and therefore the reference range.
Why do normal ranges differ between labs?
Why Labs Have Different Reference Ranges. Because there is no universal reference range for most lab tests, ranges will vary from lab to lab. This means that it is possible to get a normal result from one lab and an abnormal result for the same test from another lab, and vice versa.
Why do some labs have different reference ranges?
Why Labs Have Different Reference Ranges Because there is no universal reference range for most lab tests, ranges will vary from lab to lab. This means that it is possible to get a normal result from one lab and an abnormal result for the same test from another lab, and vice versa.
What does range not detected mean?
A negative or not detected test result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in your sample. For COVID-19, a negative or not detected test result for a sample collected while a person has symptoms usually means that COVID-19 did not cause your recent illness.
Why are reference ranges different?
What is the purpose of a reference range?
Reference intervals are the most common decision support tool used for interpretation of numerical pathology reports. As laboratory results may be interpreted by comparison with these intervals, the quality of the reference intervals can play as large a role in result interpretation as the quality of the result itself.
Can different labs give different HCG levels?
Yes, the result of blood tests done in the same method and conditions from different labs can be very similar but not the same. Results of blood tests are often given in the numbers or statistics or a simple yes or no.
What does a negative reference range mean?
For example, a healthy person’s test result would not detect COVID-19, so the reference range would be “negative” or “not detected.” If your test result shows a value of “positive” or “detected,” that falls outside of the reference range and would be considered abnormal or atypical.