Reference range

Reference range is a set of values that is used by health professionals to interpret a patient's test results. The range is based on the results from a reference group of healthy individuals. The reference range helps to determine whether a patient's test results are normal or abnormal.

Definition

A reference range in laboratory medicine is a set of values that is used by health professionals to interpret a patient's test results. The range is based on the results from a reference group of healthy individuals. The reference range helps to determine whether a patient's test results are normal or abnormal.

Use in medical practice

In medical practice, the reference range is used to interpret a wide range of tests, including blood tests, urine tests, and tests for specific diseases. The reference range is often used in conjunction with other clinical information to make a diagnosis or to monitor a patient's condition.

Determination of reference ranges

The reference range is determined by testing a large number of healthy individuals and calculating the range within which most of their results fall. This range is then used as the reference range for interpreting patient test results. The reference range may vary depending on the specific test, the method used to perform the test, and the population being tested.

Limitations

While the reference range is a useful tool in medical practice, it has some limitations. For example, a test result that falls within the reference range does not necessarily mean that a person is healthy. Similarly, a test result that falls outside the reference range does not necessarily mean that a person is sick. The reference range is just one piece of information that health professionals use to assess a patient's health.

See also

• Laboratory test
• Medical diagnosis
• Clinical pathology

Reference range Resources
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