A blood test can reveal a lot of information about the internal processes of our body.
It can help a doctor make a diagnosis, monitor a patient with a chronic illness, check the effects of treatment, or search for signs of disease.
But seeing the word “Abnormal” on your laboratory report can be worrying.
Is abnormal blood test? Can high numbers or low numbers indicate disease? Is one lab value outside normal (abnormal) for your lab necessarily bad for you? Not necessarily.
An abnormal result, therefore, often needs to be interpreted in the context of the results of other tests, the patient’s medical history and symptoms, and the results obtained from other tests.
It does not necessarily imply disease but can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the effects of medication, diet, strenuous physical exercise, and other non-disease-related factors.
What Does an Abnormal Blood Test Result Mean?
Blood tests are designed to measure different things in your blood, whether it is specific substances, cells, or other characteristics.
Depending on the type of test, they can show you what is going on in your blood cells, blood sugar levels, how well your kidneys or liver are working, hormone levels, signs of infection, and many other aspects of your health.
Oftentimes, laboratories will give you a reference range along with your result.
This range basically shows values that are considered typical for a specific group of people and for the particular testing method used.
If your result falls outside this reference range, it is then described as abnormal, high, or low.
But, just because it is outside that range does not automatically mean you have a disease.
Your lab results are only one step of your diagnosis.
Your doctor will also consider your symptoms, your full medical history, any medicines you are taking, your previous test results, and any other evaluation they have done.
Why Can Blood Test Results Be Abnormal?
There are many different reasons why a blood test might show an unexpected result. They include
1. Infection or Inflammation
Some blood tests look at or measure your white blood cells, which are important for your body’s immune response.
A high white blood cell count might happen if you have an infection, but it can also be a sign of inflammatory or autoimmune conditions, allergic reactions, or even a side effect of some medications.
On the other hand, a low white blood cell count can also have several potential causes, including certain medicines, chemotherapy, bone marrow issues, and some infections.
This simply means that a high or low white blood cell count on its own cannot pinpoint the exact cause, which means more information or further testing might be needed.
2. Anemia and Nutritional Deficiencies
A complete blood count can measure your red blood cells and hemoglobin, among other things. A low hemoglobin level might be linked to anemia.
But anemia itself can be caused by various factors, like blood loss, not getting enough nutrients, or certain chronic health conditions.
So, finding a low hemoglobin level usually is the start of the diagnosis.
Your doctor will likely check other blood count measurements and, depending on your situation, ask for more tests to figure out why that level is low.
3. Dehydration and Other Temporary Factors
What you eat and drink, the medicines and supplements you take, how much you exercise, whether you smoke or drink alcohol, and even if you followed all the preparation instructions for the test can all influence some lab results.
This is often why your doctor might ask you questions about what you ate, what medications you are on, or if you were told to fast before the test.
4. Liver or Kidney Problems.
Blood tests can also help assess how organs like your liver and kidneys are functioning.
For example, a metabolic panel measures things like glucose, electrolytes, proteins, and other substances that indicate kidney and liver health.
An abnormal result here could be a clue that further evaluation is needed, but it does not automatically give your doctor the exact diagnosis by itself.
5. Blood Sugar and Metabolic Changes.
A high glucose result could be related to diabetes, but how it is interpreted depends on the specific test and the conditions under which it was done.
For some conditions, additional tests are often needed before a diagnosis is confirmed.
Also, do not forget that medicines, lifestyle, and other factors play a role too. Certain medications and supplements can definitely affect lab measurements.
Even how you prepare for a test matters. Some tests require you to fast or follow other specific instructions, while others do not.
If you did not quite follow the instructions given before your test, please tell your doctor or the lab professional. That information can be really helpful in interpreting your result correctly.
Does an Abnormal Blood Test Mean You Have a Disease?
Not always. An abnormal result can mean several things. It could genuinely be a sign of a health condition. It could also just reflect a temporary change in your body.
Perhaps it was affected by medication or how you prepared for the test. Or, it might just be a result that needs to be retested or looked into further.
Abnormal blood test results from general lab tests can offer hints about possible health problems, but lab tests alone do not paint a complete picture of someone’s health.
Your doctor might compare the result with your previous ones, review your symptoms and medical history, or ask for more tests
How Should You Read Your Blood Test Results?
When you are looking at your blood test results, which might have several numbers, abbreviations, and reference ranges, the most important thing to remember is to use the reference range provided by the laboratory that actually did your test.
Do not just compare your numbers with a normal range you found online, because different laboratories might use different testing methods and therefore different reference ranges.
You might see terms like “High” (meaning the result is above the lab reference range), “Low” (meaning it is below the range), “Normal” or “Negative” (which usually means the expected finding was within range or not detected), “Positive” (meaning the test found what it was looking for.
What that means depends on the specific test), or “Inconclusive” (meaning there is not enough information for a clear interpretation, and more testing might be needed).
The meaning of any result always depends on what was tested and why the test was ordered in the first place.
If a result comes back outside the expected range, your healthcare provider will likely first look at it in context.
They might ask you about your symptoms, medicines, any recent illnesses, your diet, exercise habits, and other relevant factors.
Depending on the specific result, they might compare it with previous results, repeat the blood test, order another lab test, do a physical examination, recommend imaging, or even refer you to a specialist.
Keep in mind that not every abnormal result requires all of these steps. What happens next really depends on the particular result and the person who was tested.
When Should You Speak to a Doctor About Your Results?
If your blood test report shows an abnormal result, it is best to discuss it with the doctor who requested the test.
This is especially important if you also have new or ongoing symptoms, several abnormal results, or if your doctor thinks a result is significantly outside the expected range.
Please try to avoid diagnosing yourself based on just one number.
A healthcare professional is the best person to explain what the result means in relation to why the test was ordered and your overall health
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Abnormal Blood Test Mean I Am Sick?
No, an abnormal blood test does not automatically mean you are sick. There are many explanations, and your provider will consider everything.
Can a Blood Test Be Abnormal and Still Not Mean Something Serious?
Yes, a test can be abnormal but not serious, often due to temporary factors or lifestyle. Sometimes, a repeat test is needed, and your doctor will decide that.
Can Dehydration Affect Blood Test Results?
Yes. Dehydration can affect results, so always inform your provider if you did not prepare properly.
Should I Compare My Result With a Normal Range I Found Online?
It is always best to use the reference range on your own report, not an online one.
Can Normal Blood Test Results Still Occur When Someone Is Unwell?
Yes, normal blood test results can still occur even when someone is unwell, as tests are just one step of the entire evaluation.
Key Takeaways
- An abnormal blood test result does not mean you have a serious illness.
- These tests need to be interpreted using the right reference range and your specific clinical context.
- Things like medicines, diet, exercise, illness, and even how you prepared for the test can influence some results.
- One abnormal result might lead to more tests. Your doctor will consider your symptoms, medical history, and previous results before deciding what the result really means.
- Always avoid diagnosing yourself from just one number on a lab report.
Conclusion
Seeing an abnormal blood test result does not say all there is to a problem until a full diagnosis is done. The result needs to be understood within its context.
Your healthcare provider is the one who can look at those numbers, along with your symptoms, medical history, and other investigations, to figure out if any further action is necessary.
If you ever need reliable laboratory testing and accurate results, Inova Diagnostics offers a variety of services for blood, urine, and stool investigations through our automated laboratory.
