Lab tests explained

[mausmish]

I discovered a very helpful site for explaining lab tests and thought I'd share it here:

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/index.html

[Neil Cuadra]

Thanks!

One of the points they make is that "normal ranges" in lab test results should really be called "reference ranges". Test results aren't black and white -- either "normal" (within a normal range) or "abnormal" (outside a normal range). Instead, the ranges on lab reports are averages across many people. Since none of us are exactly average, they don't necessarily indicate whether a result is normal or abnormal for us as individuals. They have to be taken in context.

The lab test given most often to AA/MDS/PNH patients is the complete blood count test (CBC). There is straightforward information about CBCs from the Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/complete-blood-count/MY00476) (you have to click to go through the pages). There are also short descriptions of the various CBC blood counts at Lymphomation.org (http://www.lymphomation.org/CBC-blood-counts.htm) and longer descriptions at MedicineNet (http://www.medicinenet.com/complete_blood_count/page2.htm).