referenssiväliä

Referenssiväliä, often translated as reference interval or normal range, is a key concept in laboratory medicine and diagnostics. It represents the range of values for a specific laboratory test that is considered typical for a healthy population. These values are typically determined by testing a large group of individuals who are known to be healthy and then calculating the central range of results, usually excluding the lowest and highest 2.5% of measurements.

The purpose of a reference interval is to provide a benchmark against which a patient's test result can be compared. If a patient's result falls within the reference interval, it suggests that their value is within the expected range for a healthy person. Conversely, a result outside this interval may indicate a potential health issue that warrants further investigation by a healthcare professional.

It is important to understand that reference intervals are not definitive indicators of disease. They are statistical ranges, and some healthy individuals may naturally have values outside these limits. Factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, time of day, and even certain medications can influence test results and may necessitate the use of specific reference intervals. Therefore, interpreting a test result always requires consideration of the individual patient's clinical context and should be done by a qualified healthcare provider.