Huge Difference between Ref Range from Labs test. Pls explain

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Sig
Sig Member Posts: 138
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

Hi, wonder if anyone can explain to me why there is so much difference from one lab to another Lab with regards to reference range in a specific blood work. As my calcium level is bouncing up and down with no reason. I had a PTH test done at two different labs. The first one was done at the Cancer Center on 8 Jul 09 and result was 5.8 pmol/L with a normal ref range of 1.3 - 6.8 pmol/L. The second test was done at another hospital two months later (on 9 Sep 09) and result was 7.60 pmol/L with a normal ref range of 1,60 -  9,30. So my question is why there is so much difference in reference range from one lab to another specifically the one from the hospital which goes up to 9.30 pmol/l which seems to me quite high to fall in the normal range.

Sig

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited November 2009

    Different instrumentation and metholody most likely between the laboratories.  The labs could be using instrumentation from completely different laboratory vendors.  When I worked in phamaceuticals for clinical drug trials and we had to merge study data - - this was our biggest headache.  Apples and oranges.  If possible try to use one reference lab for your bloodwork so you can better follow any trends and not make yourself crazy.

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