Test Ranges

[UrsaP]

Hi, has anyone noticed changes to their test result ranges lately. I saw earlier today a comment from someone who had their results back and there was a note on it saying that the T3 range had changed. It seems to have been lowered by about a 3rd. Timely I thought?

It might be worth keeping a check just in case.

If ranges are reduced it may look like that some people are being over medicated when that higher level has suited them for years?

Why do ranges alter from one lab to another and should they? If so is there not limits?

[Gambit62]

test methods can vary and the equipment used for the test can vary. Different tests and different equipment are calibrated in different ways which means they can have different ranges associated with them.

Sometimes the units used vary from lab to lab - this can be the case with B12 and B9 - in which case ranges will look very different.

[UrsaP in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you for this explanation. I think I would still want to know what had changed to warrant the changes where T3 is concerned. With the current climate, my faith int eh system has wained. I suppose the test will be whether our own blood tests suddenly start looking like we are overmedicated.

[Gambit62 in reply to UrsaP]

the reality is that normal range is an average and people are individuals - the averages are guidelines but they will never tell the whole story. Drs really do need to start talking to their patients and not just looking at a set of results without even seeing the patient.

[UrsaP in reply to Gambit62]

Totally agree. Since when was a piece of paper more important. It is like Dr surgeries where they spend the who time typing, do not so much as look at the patient then say - it may be this...or that...prescribe something to try, sometimes, without any question as to suitability or knowledge of real problem - trial and error medicine - so how does that make 'self mediators' any different?