Can you interpret lab results?

From the Guidelines

I strongly advise against attempting to interpret lab results without the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional, as misinterpretation can lead to serious health consequences. When it comes to interpreting lab results, it is crucial to consider the context in which they arise, as emphasized in the guidelines on the management of abnormal liver blood tests 1. This context includes understanding reference ranges that vary by lab, patient demographics, medical history, medications, and clinical context. Only qualified healthcare providers like physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or laboratory specialists should interpret your lab results, as they have undergone extensive training and certification to accurately analyze test results within your complete clinical picture. The American Gastroenterological Association medical position statement also highlights the importance of a rational approach for the evaluation of serum liver chemistries, taking into account the clinical context of a given patient 1. Furthermore, the technical standard of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) for biomarker testing for lysosomal diseases emphasizes the need for interpretation by a qualified individual, considering not just the numeric result but also the age of the patient, previous test results, and other supporting information 1. Some key points to consider when interpreting lab results include:

• Understanding the reference ranges and how they vary by lab and patient demographics
• Considering the patient's medical history, medications, and clinical context
• Recognizing that a normal result does not completely exclude the presence of disease, and that patients with attenuated phenotypes may not show evidence of substrate accumulation at the time of testing
• The importance of a detailed history, inventory of medications, and physical examination in the initial evaluation of abnormal liver tests
• The need for a rational approach to the evaluation of serum liver chemistries, taking into account the clinical context of a given patient. Therefore, if you have questions about your lab results, it is essential to contact your healthcare provider directly, as they can provide personalized explanations and appropriate recommendations based on your specific health situation.

From the FDA Drug Label

The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Interpretation of Lab Results

• The interpretation of lab results depends on various factors, including the ability of the test to distinguish between diseased and non-diseased subjects, as well as the characteristics of the patient and the setting in which the test is being used 2.
• Patients may face challenges in comprehending lab results, and their needs can be grouped into two categories: generic information (e.g., reference range) and personalized or contextual information (e.g., treatment options, prognosis) 3.
• The presentation format of lab results can impact patients' understanding, with horizontal line bars with colored blocks and reference ranges or personalized goal ranges being more effective in increasing cognitive perception and perception of communication 4.

Factors Affecting Interpretation

• Intrinsic factors such as laboratory result normality, health literacy, and technology proficiency can significantly impact people's perceptions of using portals to view and interpret lab results 3.
• The use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy has been shown to improve biochemical and portal hypertension markers in patients with nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver (NRHL) 5.
• Pemafibrate with UDCA has been found to lead to sustained liver enzyme improvement in dyslipidemic primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients refractory to standard therapy 6.

Presentation Formats

• Different presentation formats, such as numerical values with reference ranges, horizontal line bars with colored blocks, or a combination of both, can be used to present lab results to patients 4.
• The most effective presentation format may depend on the specific outcome being studied, such as perception, decision, action, or memory 4.