25-Hydroxy and 1,25-Dihydroxy Vitamin D Are Not Substitute Tests
Similar vitamin D names refer to different measurements. Check the complete assay name before comparing an order or report.
2 min readCrispFacts
Lab tests, in context
Explore the purpose, process, and limitations of laboratory testing. These guides support a conversation with a healthcare professional.
Urinalysis and Urine Culture Answer Different Questions
Routine examination and organism growth are different ways to study urine. Understand the distinction before comparing two reports.
2 min readTSH and Free T4: A Signal and a Hormone
Understand why TSH and free T4 appear together on some thyroid reports and why their names cannot be used interchangeably.
2 min readScreening, Diagnosis, and Monitoring Describe the Purpose
The same laboratory measurement can have different roles. Identify the purpose before deciding what a result is supposed to answer.
2 min readA Reference Interval Is Not a Personal Treatment Target
Separate the laboratory comparison interval from a diagnosis or a treatment goal chosen for an individual patient.
2 min readLDL, HDL, and Triglycerides: What a Lipid Panel Separates
A clear map of lipid-panel labels, including why triglycerides are not another name for cholesterol.
2 min readCollection Date, Report Date, and Review Date Are Different Events
Keep the sample date separate from the day a report appeared or a clinician discussed it when organizing laboratory records.
2 min readFerritin, Serum Iron, and TIBC Are Different Measurements
Compare the roles of iron-storage, circulating-iron, and binding measurements without treating one number as a supplement instruction.
2 min readFasting Glucose and Random Glucose: The Timing Is Part of the Name
Why fasting and random glucose results need their collection context, even though both measure blood glucose.
2 min readCBC and CBC With Differential: What the Extra Words Add
A CBC with differential adds a breakdown of white blood cells. Here is how that differs from the total white-cell count.
2 min readThe Eight Measurements in a Basic Metabolic Panel
A component-by-component map of the conventional BMP, including what belongs to another panel and why the group is not a health score.
2 min readHigh, Low, Positive, Indeterminate: Four Different Kinds of Lab Language
A flag, a detected target, and an uncertain finding answer different questions. Read the label before deciding what the number means.
2 min read