As a patient, medical testing can be confusing. Doctors don’t always explain the results to you and may occasionally miss things that could be important for understanding what’s going on with your body. Luckily, there are a few tricks that can make it easier to understand your results.
Identifying “Normal”
First, it’s important to understand how most medical tests work. Typically, when you get your test back, you’ll see several numbers. One will be specific to you and represent your qualitative results.
In a separate area next to your results, you’ll often see a set of numbers that represents the range of what the lab considers “normal.” In the medical world, this is often referred to as the reference range. You can compare your unique reading to this range to determine whether your results are normal or abnormal (if that’s not stated elsewhere in the lab report).
If your reading falls outside of the normal range, that’s usually an indication that something is wrong. However, in some cases (not all) it can also be relevant when your reading is starting to lean towards slipping out of the normal range. Knowing that can help you make changes in your life to prevent that happening. For instance, if your vitamin D levels are starting to lean towards low, you can start supplementing before it becomes a major problem.
Researching Lab Tests
Its important to note however, that some tests have no “low,” and others have no upper limit. One of the easiest ways to figure out is by looking your test up in a doctor-approved medical reference such as the following:
• Medscap Laboratory Medicine Index
Simply search for the name of your test in one of these resources and if there’s an entry, it should explain both what the test is for and how to interpret the results. If you find that there isn’t an entry in the resource you’re using, just switch to one of the others and you’ll likely find what you’re looking for.
Tracking Your Results Over Time
If you’re someone with a chronic illness, you might find yourself getting a lot of lab tests over the years, and it can be useful to keep track of your results in one place. This will allow you to identify trends over time, avoid taking repeat tests back-to-back when unnecessary, and have a way to share all your results with your doctors without having to gather them up from 10 different specialists each time you share.
I recommend using Google Sheets to track lab tests, but you can also use Excel or any other tracking system that works well for you. If you’re not sure how to start, here’s some inspiration for what your spreadsheet might look like:
| Lab/Test | Provider | Date | Result | Range | Interpretation | Notes |
| Baso# CBC with differential | Dina Cassidy, DO, Dockson Medical Center | 08/12/2016 | 0.05 K/uL | 0.00-0.20 | Normal | Complete blood count measures white blood cells and is one to pay attention to for Mast Cells. MedlinePLUS Cleveland Clinic |
| C-Reactive Protein, QuantBorderline Low | Adhar Sharma, DO, NYU Student Health Center | 01/03/2018 | 0.5 MG/L | 0.0-4.9 | Normal | There’s no such thing as too low for this test. Mayo Clinic |
| Glucose | Lee Park, MD, Flower Pond Medical Center | 07/11/2016 | 75 mg/dL | 65-99 | Borderline Abnormal (Getting Low) | “Low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) are common among people with type 1 diabetes and people with type 2 diabetes who take certain diabetes medicines. Certain conditions, such as liver disease, may cause low levels of blood glucose in people without diabetes, but this is uncommon. ” MedlinePLUS |
| Lipase | Carina Lewis, MD, St. Calvin Medical Care | Cactus Health Resources | 77 U/L | 7 – 60 U/L | Abnormal (High) | “Higher than normal levels of lipase may be caused by: Diseases of the pancreas, including a blocked duct (tube), or pancreatic cancer Chronic kidney disease Peptic ulcer Gallbladder disease Intestinal problems, such as a blocked intestine Diabetes Salivary (spit) gland disorders, such as infection or cancer Alcohol use disorder”” “”In acute pancreatitis, levels are often 5 to 10 times higher than the highest reference value. Other conditions can also cause slightly increased lipase levels, including:” MedlinePLUS |
And with that, you’re well on your way to learning more about your health!
About the author
Alexandra Malouf is a writer and multi-media artist living in Texas with her husband and fellow poet, Danny Daw. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new creative skills and getting nerdy about history.
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Legal Disclaimer: The information presented on this blog is written from a patient-to-patient perspective, not by a doctor or medical professional. It should not be interpreted as medical advice or substituted for medical treatment. The author is not responsible for health or financial outcomes.
Alexandra Malouf 
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