Why are results ratio different at different labs? (medical, patient, platelets)

[Layden85]

For example the ratio at my mothers dr show RBC ratio of 4.00 - 5.40 and Platelets 141-450
My lab shows RBC 3.85-5.12 and Platelets 131 - 340
Going by my lab my counts are elevated but by hers they aren’t.

[Rabrrita]

Usually the laboratory specifies the acceptable range based on their testing equipment. One manufactures device may give a range of 10-20 while another device range is 15-25. The medical professional usually makes adjustment in their review based on the specified range of the testing equipment shown on the results.

[JONOV]

Originally Posted by Layden85

For example the ratio at my mothers dr show RBC ratio of 4.00 - 5.40 and Platelets 141-450
My lab shows RBC 3.85-5.12 and Platelets 131 - 340
Going by my lab my counts are elevated but by hers they aren’t.

I think those are reference ranges for the tests and not her results.

If you draw the same lab five days in a row, you'll get five different results.

[Layden85]

Yes those are ratio. According to my lab I would have elevated RBC and Platelets but it falls into range for the one that has a higher ratio.

[old fed]

those are not ratios, they are reference ranges. they will oftentimes vary from lab to lab. don't compare results from one lab to a reference range from another.


https://labtestsonline.org/articles/...ference-ranges

[Layden85]

Ok but why such a difference in ranges from one lab to another? And why are my numbers a lot different from one lab to another?

[old fed]

there is info in the link I provided, that's why I posted it.

[Medical Lab Guy]

Originally Posted by Layden85

For example the ratio at my mothers dr show RBC ratio of 4.00 - 5.40 and Platelets 141-450
My lab shows RBC 3.85-5.12 and Platelets 131 - 340
Going by my lab my counts are elevated but by hers they aren’t.

The reference range is different for different labs for a variety of reason some of which are instrument related and others are biological depending on the city you live in.

With regards to the RBC the technical variance is dependent on the instrument manufacturer being used and since not all instruments are the same there will be slight variance of that normal range. One essentially have to verify the reference range to make sure it is what is normally seen by that laboratory patient population.

The biological variation can occur with regards to elevations above or below sea level. The higher one is the thinner the air gets and ones body adopts by increasing the RBC count. Those in the high elevation will have a higher reference range for RBC counts.

Elevated platelets are not related to election but are related to inflammation and increased in inflammation and in iron deficiency anemia.