From the Guidelines
Interpretation of Laboratory Results
Interpretation of laboratory results can be performed to identify potential abnormalities and guide clinical decision-making.
- For instance, liver function tests (LFTs) with elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) (>40 U/L) and aspartate transaminase (AST) (>40 U/L) may suggest hepatocellular injury, prompting consideration of medications like ursodiol (300mg orally twice daily for 6-12 months) to mitigate liver damage 1.
- The interpretation of all abnormal liver chemistries must be taken in the clinical context of a given patient, including a detailed history, inventory of medications, and physical examination 1.
- The evaluation of patients with elevated serum aminotransferases should exclude common hepatic diseases with noninvasive serologic tests, and subsequent evaluation should be directed toward establishing these diagnoses rather than following an algorithm 1.
- In patients with abnormal liver chemistry tests, the initial evaluation includes a detailed history, inventory of medications, and physical examination, and the interpretation of abnormal liver chemistries must be taken in the clinical context of a given patient 1.
- Context is crucial in interpreting laboratory results, as the same abnormality can have different implications in different patients, and clinical judgment should be used to determine the need for further evaluation or treatment 1.
- In transgender and gender-diverse patients, laboratory values should be interpreted in the context of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), and the duration, dose, and route of administration of GAHT should be recorded 1.
- For patients on GAHT for more than 1 year, many laboratory values should be interpreted based on their affirmed gender, while for those newly initiated on hormone therapy, values may change over time 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Interpretation of Laboratory Results
- Laboratory results can be interpreted to produce a library of evidence-based resources directing the use of clinical tests, including examination techniques 2
- Interpretations are succinct evidence-based summaries that draw together research findings to provide practical answers for clinicians 2
Challenges in Interpreting Laboratory Results
- Automated hematology analyzers can generate inaccurate complete blood counts (CBC) results, which may adversely affect patient care 3
- Laboratory professionals must recognize unreliable results, determine the possible cause(s), and be acquainted with the ways to obtain reliable results on such specimens 3
Decision Support Systems for Laboratory Result Interpretation
- Computer decision support systems can efficiently solve the task of interpretation of laboratory test results 4
- A clinical decision support system for patients can analyze laboratory test results and deliver reports in natural language to patients, which can empower patients and improve their safety 4
Diagnostic Accuracy of Routine Laboratory Testing
- Routine laboratory markers such as white blood cell count, measures of anticoagulation, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin can be used to assess the clinical status of a patient with potential COVID-19 5
- However, none of the routine laboratory tests investigated are useful for accurately ruling in or ruling out COVID-19 on their own 5
- The diagnostic accuracy of routine laboratory testing can vary depending on the test, threshold values, and settings in which they are applied 5