What is the reference range on a lab test result?
What is a reference range? A reference range is a set of values that includes upper and lower limits of a lab test based on a group of otherwise healthy people. The values in between those limits may depend on such factors as age, sex, and specimen type (blood, urine, spinal fluid, etc.)
What are normal ranges for blood tests?
1. Complete blood count
| Component | Normal range |
|---|---|
| red blood cells | men: 4.32–5.72 million cells/mcL; women: 3.90–5.03 million cells/mcL |
| white blood cells | 3,500 to 10,500 cells/mcL |
| platelets | 150,000 to 450,000/mcL |
| hemoglobin | men: 13.5–17.5 grams/deciliter (g/dL); women: 12.0–15.5 g/dL |
Why are lab reference ranges different?
Reference ranges for the same methods or instruments may differ between laboratories and geographic areas for the following reasons: Operating conditions are different. Criteria for selection of healthy subjects are different. Patient populations are different.
What are normal lab results?
| NORMAL ADULT LABORATORY VALUES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Total | 0.2-1.3 mg/dL (3-22 µmol/L) | |
| Direct | 0.0-0.3 mg/dL (0-5 µmol/L) | |
| Calcium, serum | 9.0-11.0 mg/dL (2.25-2.75 mmol/L) | |
| Cholesterol, serum | 140-250 mg/dL (3.6-6.5 mmol/L) |
What is a normal reference range?
A reference range may also be called “normal values.” You may see something like this on your results: “normal: 77-99mg/dL” (milligrams per deciliter). Reference ranges are based on the normal test results of a large group of healthy people. The range helps show what a typical normal result looks like.
What does standard range negative mean for pregnancy?
A negative hCG result means that it is unlikely that a woman is pregnant. However, tests performed too early in a pregnancy, before there is a significant hCG level, may give false-negative results. The test may be repeated in one week if there is a strong possibility of pregnancy.
What are normal levels?
Results
| Red blood cell count | Male: 4.35-5.65 trillion cells/L* (4.35-5.65 million cells/mcL**) Female: 3.92-5.13 trillion cells/L (3.92-5.13 million cells/mcL) |
|---|---|
| Hemoglobin | Male: 13.2-16.6 grams/dL*** (132-166 grams/L) Female: 11.6-15 grams/dL (116-150 grams/L) |
| Hematocrit | Male: 38.3-48.6 percent Female: 35.5-44.9 percent |
What is a normal range?
Listen to pronunciation. (NOR-mul raynj) In medicine, a set of values that a doctor uses to interpret a patient’s test results. The normal range for a given test is based on the results that are seen in 95% of the healthy population.
Can a lab get hCG levels wrong?
If a blood or urine test is done too early in pregnancy, when the hCG level in the body is still low, it is possible to get a false-negative result. Urine tests may also give false-negative results if the urine is very dilute, so you should not drink a lot of fluid before collecting a urine sample for a pregnancy test.
Can beta hCG levels be wrong?
No test is 100 percent accurate every time. The hCG test can give both false-negative results and false-positive results for pregnancy.
What is a good blood test result?
For some tests, such as the hemoglobin test, normal results vary by age. For children, for example, a hemoglobin level of about 11 to 13 grams/deciliter (g/dl) is normal, while for men, a value of about 14 to 17 g/dl is normal, and for women, 12 to 15 g/dl is normal.
How are lab test reference ranges determined?
A reference range is usually defined as the set of values 95 percent of the normal population falls within (that is, 95% prediction interval ). It is determined by collecting data from vast numbers of laboratory tests.
Why do labs use different ranges?
This is because every laboratory has a different “normal range” for numbers. These “normal range” numbers can be different based on the types of laboratory equipment they use, or the units of measurements may differ, and even change daily depending on their quality control checks.
What does reference range lab test result mean?
A reference range is the value that the lab considers normal or typical for a healthy person. 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.
What is the normal laboratory test range for CMP?
Normal test range is from 200 to 400 ppm, this is considered normal and no further testing is needed for cmp. If higher then you will need to find additional testing to find the cause.
