A reference range is a set of values that includes upper and lower limits of a lab test. This range is determined by the ranges of a healthy group of people. These intervals are thought of as “normal ranges or limits.”
Many factors can influence where your test result might fall, including age and sex assigned at birth, as well as circumstantial factors like whether or not you have eaten (why some tests might require fasting for reliable results).
Reference ranges provide guidance for you and your healthcare provider but should not be considered absolute. What is normal for one individual may not be considered normal in another and just because you are outside of a reference range, does not mean you are in danger.
If you do receive a lab result that falls outside of the reference range provided by the lab, a medical team member will review your results and reach out if follow-up care is required.