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Reference Intervals

Meaning

Reference intervals, a more accurate term than “normal ranges,” are the established set of values for a specific biochemical or hormonal analyte that statistically encompasses the central 95% of results obtained from a large, representative population of individuals presumed to be healthy. These intervals serve as the primary, standardized clinical benchmark against which an individual patient’s laboratory result is compared for initial diagnostic screening purposes. It is critically important to understand that a result falling within a reference interval does not automatically guarantee optimal physiological function, especially in the nuanced context of personalized hormonal health and wellness optimization.