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    richka's Avatar
    richka Posts: 145, Reputation: -1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #1

    May 26, 2009, 01:47 PM
    Reading lab report
    I just received a lab report for my cholesterol level but I don't know how to read it.
    There are two columns. One is RESULTS... and below is 160. Next to it is another column called REFERENCE RANGE and below is >200 mg/dL. Now, which do I consider?
    HDL Cholesterol is 52... <150 mg dL in reference range, and so on.
    It is very confusing. So which column do I pay more attention to, the results column or the reference range column?
    Thanks to anyone who can help.
    DoulaLC's Avatar
    DoulaLC Posts: 10,488, Reputation: 1952
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    May 26, 2009, 01:56 PM

    Pay attention to both. The results are what was determined from your blood work. The reference shows you the range that is considered the norm or ideal. Some labs will also show "in range" and "out of range" to show you which tests your blood work came back as being fine and which your doctor will likely want to discuss with you.

    As an example: A reference that shows <150mg means your results should ideally be less than 150
    >200 mg means ideally your result would be more than 200
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