What your blood test results actually mean
Reference ranges, the difference between abnormal and worrying, and why we phone rather than post.
Ruth Adler
Nurse, blood tests
Results arrive with a column of numbers and a range. Here is how to read them, and why we phone rather than post.
Reference ranges
The range is where 95 percent of healthy people fall. Being just outside it is common and usually means nothing on its own.
Abnormal versus worrying
A result can be flagged abnormal and still be fine for you. What matters is the pattern, your history and whether it has changed since last time.
Why we phone
Because a number without a conversation causes more worry than it solves. Every result at Halden is reviewed by a clinician who then tells you what, if anything, to do.
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Blood tests and health checks
Same-day blood tests, results explained by a clinician in plain words.
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Written by
Ruth Adler
Ruth takes the morning blood tests and explains what the results mean.
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