Understanding Your Lab Test Results
Blood tests and other lab tests play a vital role in assessing your health. The numbers and readings on a blood test result can be mystifying if you don't understand what they mean. Having a discussion with your doctor can help unravel the mystery behind your test results.
Why Doctors Order Lab Tests
Doctors use blood tests and other lab tests to:
- Screen for medical conditions
- Confirm or rule out a diagnosis
- Monitor the effectiveness of treatments
- Provide insight into how well organs like the kidneys and liver are functioning
- Determine risk factors for various diseases
Undergoing regular lab screening allows doctors to detect health issues early and begin treatment before complications develop.
Deciphering Common Blood Test Abbreviations
Blood test results contain many medical abbreviations and acronyms that can be confusing to patients. Here are some of the most common ones:
- CBC - Complete Blood Count
- BMP - Basic Metabolic Panel
- CRP - C-Reactive Protein
- ESR - Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
- ALT - Alanine Aminotransferase
- AST - Aspartate Aminotransferase
- BUN - Blood Urea Nitrogen
- CRE - Creatinine
Understanding what these abbreviations stand for is the first step in unraveling your blood test results.
10 Things Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Blood Tests
To get the most out of your lab test results, here are 10 things you should know:
1. Reference Ranges Are Not One-Size-Fits-All
Test results indicate whether a value falls within the "normal" reference range. However, normal ranges are based on averages from the general population. Your individual range for "normal" may differ based on factors like age, sex, and medical history.
2. Borderline Results Require a Closer Look
A value near the high or low end of the reference range warrants further investigation. It could signal an underlying issue that needs addressing even if it has not yet gone out of range.
3. Abnormal Results Don't Always Mean Something Is Wrong
Sometimes a test result slightly outside the reference range turns out to be a random fluctuation rather than an indicator of illness. Your doctor will likely re-test before making any diagnosis.
4. "Positive" Findings Are Not Always Accurate
No medical test is 100% accurate. "False positives" and "false negatives" do occur. An abnormal result may trigger further testing to confirm whether there truly is an issue.
5. Most Values Should Be Evaluated Over Time
Looking at changes in your biomarkers and lab values over months and years provides more meaningful data than a single test result. This trend analysis allows your doctor to make better assessments.
6. Kidney and Liver Function Impacts Many Test Results
Because the kidneys and liver perform important blood filtration roles, abnormal kidney and liver function can skew the results of unrelated blood and urine tests.
7. Nutritional Deficiencies Can Cause Abnormal Blood Values
Low levels of nutrients like iron, vitamin B12 and folate may be behind unusual hematology test results like low red blood cell counts or hemoglobin values.
8. Medications Can Affect Lab Test Results
Certain prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements can impact blood work findings temporarily or cause chronic changes over time.
9. Abnormal Results Are Not Necessarily Cause for Alarm
While abnormal findings do need your doctor's attention, they don't always represent a dire health problem. There may be simple solutions like supplements or lifestyle changes.
10. Ask Your Doctor to Explain Every Test and Result
Don't leave your doctor's office until you understand why each test was ordered, what each one assessed and what your results mean. Being engaged leads to better health!
Quizzing Yourself
One of the best ways to gain confidence in comprehending your lab test results is to quiz yourself on parameter names, reference ranges and connections between test findings and symptoms or health conditions.
Creating Customized Quizzes
You can create personalized quizzes using your past lab test results. For instance:
- Make flashcards with the test name on one side and key details about your results on the other.
- List symptoms you've experienced and match them to related abnormal lab values.
- Identify nutritional deficiencies that could be causing results outside normal reference ranges.
You can also find abundant quizzes online that allow you to dive into all aspects of lab test result interpretation. These reinforce the feedback loop between your own health status, biomarker values and preventative actions.
Online Quiz Resources
Helpful online quiz sites include:
- Lab Tests Online - Offers basic quizzes covering common blood tests and panels.
- RegisteredNurseRN.com - Has NCLEX practice questions on lab values.
- NursesLabs - Provides free quizzes and nursing study guides for blood work interpretation.
Using online quizzes along with review sessions with your doctor gives you the best chance of making sense of those lab test numbers!
FAQs
Why do doctors order blood tests and other lab work?
Doctors use lab tests to screen for medical conditions, confirm diagnoses, monitor treatments, assess organ function, determine disease risk factors, and more.
What should I do if my test results are outside the normal range?
Abnormal results don't necessarily mean something is wrong, but they do warrant follow-up. Your doctor may re-test or run additional tests before making any diagnosis.
How can medications impact my lab test findings?
Many common prescription medications, OTC drugs, and supplements can distort test results temporarily or cause lasting changes over time.
What resources are available to help me understand my blood test results?
Sites like Lab Tests Online allow you to search explanations of specific lab tests. Online quizzes also help reinforce knowledge. Discussing results with your doctor is key.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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