Blood Test results - critical margins

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AndBreathe

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I'm sure I have asked this before, but if I did, I didn't bookmark the response.

I feel certain it was here someone posted a link to a site where the various blood tests were explained, along with the critical margings to aid interpretation. In other words, whether a result of 1 or 2 under/over the reference range is any cause for concern. The variation in those critical margins was quite significant.

The reason I ask now is I've had some wonky bloods (repeated and repeated again) and I need to prepare for a discussion with my GP, because right now, I don't quite understand his rationale.

Thanks in anticipation.

AB
 
It may not be an exact match for what you are seeking, but I found this site useful labtestsonline
this one had info on results too geekymedics
 
s'nic said:
It may not be an exact match for what you are seeking, but I found this site useful labtestsonline
this one had info on results too geekymedics
Click to expand...
Proud to be erratic said:
Hello @And breathe. Does this link help you at all? From the newbies partbof the forum, pinned to the top:
Click to expand...
Thanks both. Neither of those are what I'm looking for.

The site I am referring to (why, oh WHY did I not bookmark it) explains the test, but then explains where the critical points are on the testing scale. For example, if a hypothetical test "normal" reference range is 20-50, is a score of 18 materially important, or "just a bit lower than expected, but only a tiny bit.

Some tests have much larger margins than others, but particularly, from memory, the electrolytes can have quite narrow acceptable bands.

It's not helping that my description is appalling.
 
AndBreathe said:
For example, if a hypothetical test "normal" reference range is 20-50, is a score of 18 materially important, or "just a bit lower than expected, but only a tiny bit.

Some tests have much larger margins than others, but particularly, from memory, the electrolytes can have quite narrow acceptable bands.
Click to expand...
You probably thought of this already, but while the answer may not actually be logical ...
Logic would suggest that if a reference range is wider, that 1 or 2 points over or under are not critical, but if a reference range is very small, then 1 or 2 points either side may well be significant.
 
s'nic said:
You probably thought of this already, but while the answer may not actually be logical ...
Logic would suggest that if a reference range is wider, that 1 or 2 points over or under are not critical, but if a reference range is very small, then 1 or 2 points either side may well be significant.
Click to expand...
I like your logic, but from memory, it wasn't that simple by quite a margin, for some (absolutely not all) tests.
 
Googling "critical lab test values" gives me relevant-looking hits.
 
Hope you are able to find what you are looking for @AndBreathe , and that the discussions with your Dr are fruitful.
 
AndBreathe said:
I like your logic, but from memory, it wasn't that simple by quite a margin, for some (absolutely not all) tests.
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This is why I included to get out clause 'while the answer may not actually be logical' 😎
 
Hello, I now get all my blood/urine test results sent to me by the NHS on the "patientsknowbest.com" website. It shows the recent result and can show older results for past months/years so that you can see trends. For each test it usually shows high and low expected results, marking 'out of range' in red. There is a link to labtestsonline for help and further explanations
 
Robert459 said:
Hello, I now get all my blood/urine test results sent to me by the NHS on the "patientsknowbest.com" website. It shows the recent result and can show older results for past months/years so that you can see trends. For each test it usually shows high and low expected results, marking 'out of range' in red. There is a link to labtestsonline for help and further explanations
Click to expand...
Thanks Robert. I understand each test and the ranges. I'm looking for something specific, but if I can't find it before my call, I'll manage.
 
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