The Physiological Reference Range is a statistically derived set of values for a given biomarker, representing the central 95% of results obtained from a supposedly healthy reference population. In clinical endocrinology, this range establishes the boundaries within which a hormone concentration is generally considered non-pathological, but it does not necessarily represent the concentration optimal for peak individual health. It serves as a necessary but insufficient guide for personalized therapy.
Origin
This concept is foundational to laboratory medicine and clinical chemistry, established to provide a standard basis for interpreting diagnostic test results. The range’s statistical nature means that a significant portion of the healthy population may have results outside of it, and conversely, individuals with suboptimal health may fall within it. The limitations of this broad range drive the pursuit of more individualized optimal chemical specifications.
Mechanism
The range is calculated by analyzing a large sample of non-diseased individuals, often using the mean plus or minus two standard deviations to define the limits. Clinicians use this range to screen for overt endocrine dysfunction, such as hypothyroidism or severe hypogonadism, where levels fall significantly outside these established boundaries. However, subtle dysregulation or the desire for optimal function often requires interpreting results relative to the patient’s age, gender, and clinical presentation, rather than solely relying on the population-based limits.
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