Tag: Clinical interpretation

Scientific studies have long shown that a patient's dietary habits are a key variable affecting laboratory test results, proving that, yes, can diet affect reference intervals. This influence can range from temporary fluctuations due to a single meal to significant long-term shifts in baseline levels, necessitating a thorough understanding of a patient's nutritional context for accurate clinical diagnosis.

Approximately 40% of the total calcium in your blood is bound to plasma proteins, primarily albumin. Therefore, a drop in albumin levels, a condition known as hypoalbuminemia, directly impacts the measurement of total serum calcium, creating a lab result that suggests hypocalcemia.