Lab test results are compared to normal values based on age and gender. Abnormal values may not necessarily indicate a problem, but further testing may be necessary. Specific tests are required for certain age groups to detect potential health issues. Abnormal values may indicate serious problems and require immediate investigation.
Whenever a person does any lab work, whether it’s blood tests, urinalysis, or other types of tests, the test results are compared to results considered normal for the group the person falls into, usually determined by the age and gender of the person. The numbers used as a basis for comparison are the result of a large number of tests performed on healthy people over a period of years. If a person’s test results fall outside the parameters of what is considered normal, the person is said to have abnormal laboratory values.
Since there is no correct answer for what a person’s tests should be like, it is possible for an individual to have abnormal lab values and still be at an acceptable level. This determination is made by the person’s physician and takes into account how out of the normal range the lab values are, what results are in question, and the health status of the person being tested. Tests can often reveal abnormal lab values which are the first clue of hidden problems in a feeling well person.
Sometimes, abnormal lab values indicate the need for further testing, such as when a person’s lab readings indicate a possible liver, heart, or kidney problem. Other times, abnormal lab values are a clue that the person needs to make a major lifestyle change, such as when there are high cholesterol or triglyceride values. Making changes to diet and exercise can help bring values that are outside the normal range back into the range of what are considered acceptable numbers.
The specific lab tests used on a person generally depend on what the doctor is looking for. Not all tests are ordered in all situations. Some of the more common tests, usually used as general indicators of a person’s health, are tests for cholesterol, triglycerides, hemoglobin, platelet count, red blood cells, and white blood cells. Abnormal laboratory values in any of these areas may indicate potentially serious problems and require further investigation.
In some cases, such as people of a certain age, very specific tests are required to look for signs that could indicate cancer, thyroid problems, heart problems, liver problems or anemia. If abnormal lab values are found in any of these areas, a more thorough investigation is usually launched immediately, as poor lab test results can sometimes indicate impending organ failure or the presence of cancer. X-rays and other imaging tests typically follow indications of organ problems, with the last hope of fixing any problems before they become too serious, thus restoring normal body function.
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