In episode 355, James and Mike finish delving into the issues around lab reporting and measurements. We finally get to some potential solutions (sort of) with how to deal with the variation seen around all lab values/measurements. We focus primarily by describing the variation around the top 20-30 lab tests because there is no way to get away from the inherent biologic variation seen with all these tests. Hopefully, if one appreciates the variation, one can use good clinical skills and judgment when it comes to interpreting lab tests. Or maybe the entire podcast series  just makes your blood pressure up – which as we talk about in the podcast, BP changes are difficult to evaluate. 

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Lab Test Variation Table

In episode 354, James and Mike continue to delve into the issues around lab reporting and measurements. In this part, we talk about the variation seen with blood pressure measurements, glucose and Vitamin D as further examples of what clinicians need to be aware. Having this insight should give you more confidence to interpret lab values, or just frustrate the heck out of you. You decide. 

Show notes

Handout

In episode 353, James and Mike continue to delve into the issues around lab reporting. In this part, we talk about the variation seen with every measurement. We talk about reference change values and what they mean for clinical practice. We use examples of bone density and cholesterol to explain some of the nuances and problems associated with test variance. The bottom line is that cholesterol and BMD measurements, with rare exception, are of no clinical value. Yikes!

Show notes

Handout

In episode 352, James and Mike start to delve into the issues around lab reporting and the numbers that are reported and what the numbers really mean. We talk about the highs and the lows and the variability associated with measurement and realize at the end that, while lab tests may have important variability, the quality of our podcasts never varies – which may or may not be a good thing.

Show notes

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