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- A positive test result means that the substance or condition being tested for was found. Positive test results also can mean that the amount of a substance being tested for is higher or lower than normal. A negative test result means that the substance or condition being tested for was not found.
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Are lab tests positive or negative?
What if my test results are positive or negative?
What does a positive lab test result mean?
Feb 24, 2024 · Positive vs. Negative. Some lab tests answer yes-or-no questions like whether you’re pregnant or have certain kinds of infections. These results are usually written as “positive” or ...
- What is a laboratory test?
- Why do I need a lab test?
- What is a reference range?
- What do negative, positive, and inconclusive results mean?
- What are false positive and false negative results?
- What can affect my results?
- What if I do a home test?
- References
- Related Medical Tests
A laboratory (lab) test checks a sample of your blood, urine (pee), or other body fluid or tissue to learn about your health. The sample is sent to a lab where health care professionals test it to see if it contains certain substances and, if so, how much.
Some lab tests can clearly show whether you do or don't have a specific health condition. For example, a pregnancy test can show whether or not a person is pregnant.
Other lab tests provide more general information about your health and possible problems. Test results that aren't normal give your health care provider clues about the type of health problems you may have. The results help your provider decide whether you need more tests and which ones will be most useful for diagnosing or ruling out certain conditions.
Lab tests are an important part of your health care. But they don't provide a complete picture of your health. Even though you may get your test results in your electronic health record (EHR), it's still important to talk with your provider to find out what your results really mean for you.
Lab tests are used in different ways, including to help:
•Diagnose or rule out a specific disease or condition. Tests to diagnose health problems are done when you have signs or symptoms of a certain disease or condition. Sometimes more than one test is needed to confirm a diagnosis.
A strep A test is an example of a diagnostic test. If you're sick with a bad sore throat and other symptoms, this test can show you whether you're infected with the bacteria that causes strep throat.
•Screen for a disease or health condition. Screening tests check for health problems when you don't have any signs or symptoms. They help find problems early, when they may be easier to treat. Screening tests are often part of a routine checkup. Different types of screening tests have different uses. They can:
•Tell you if you have a high risk for getting a specific disease. This alerts you to take steps to lower your risk. For example, a cholesterol test measures the amount of cholesterol in a sample of your blood. The results can help you understand your risk for heart disease.
•Suggest whether you need more testing to check for a condition or disease. These screening tests look for signs that you may have a health problem so that you can have more testing to find out for sure. For example, one type of screening test for colon cancer looks for blood in your stool (poop). If blood is found, it could be a sign of cancer. So, your provider may order a colonoscopy to find out for sure whether you have cancer.
Lab test results are reported in different ways. Some results are a number. But how do you know what that number means?
To answer that question, your lab report tells you whether your test result is in a normal range called a reference range or "normal values."
A reference range is a set of numbers that are the high and low ends of the range of results that's considered to be normal. The ranges are based on the test results from large groups of healthy people. A test may have different reference ranges for different groups of people. For example, there may be separate ranges for children and adults.
Reference ranges are a general guide to "normal." If your test result is higher or lower than the range that applies to you, it may be a sign of a health problem, but not always. It's common for healthy people to sometimes have results outside the reference range. And people with health problems can have results in the normal range, too.
If your results are outside of the reference range, your provider will look at other information about your health to understand what may have affected your results. You may need more testing if your result is higher or lower than the reference range, or if you have a normal result even though you have symptoms.
When looking at your lab test results, it's helpful to know that:
Some test results tell you whether a certain substance, germ, type of cell, or gene was or wasn't found in your test sample. On your test report, you may see these terms:
•Negative or normal. This means "No, the test didn't find what it was looking for." So, you're unlikely to have the health problem you were tested for. But you may need more tests.
•Positive or abnormal. This means, "Yes, the test found what it was looking for." The germ, substance, or gene being tested was in your sample. So, you may have a disease or infection. In certain cases, you may need more tests to confirm a diagnosis.
•Inconclusive or uncertain. This means "not sure." Your test wasn't clearly positive or negative. There are many reasons why this may happen. If you get an uncertain result, you will probably be tested again.
Tests results are usually accurate, but no test is perfect.
•A false positive result means your test shows you have a disease or condition, but you don't really have it.
•A false negative result means your test shows you don't have a disease or condition, but you really do.
These incorrect results don't happen often, but they are more likely with certain of types tests, or if testing wasn't done right. If your provider thinks your test result may be inaccurate, you may need to have another test.
The accuracy of certain test results may be affected by what you eat, medicines you take, and even how your feel when you provide your test sample. Common things that affect tests include:
•Eating and drinking certain foods and drinks
•Taking certain medicines or supplements
•Exercising hard before your test
•Having a menstrual period at the time of your tested
Your provider will let you know if you need to prepare for your test. Follow your provider's instructions carefully. That will help make sure your test results are as accurate as possible. Before your test, let your provider know about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take as well as vitamins and other supplements.
At-home test kits are available for many types of lab tests. The kits provide everything you need to collect a sample of body fluid or cells to send to a lab. At-home tests should never replace testing that your provider orders. Ask your provider or pharmacist to recommend a test you can trust. And talk with your provider about your results, even i...
1.AARP [Internet]. Washington D.C.: AARP. Your Lab Results Decoded; [cited 2022 Jul 25]; [about 9 screens]. Available from: https://www.aarp.org/health/doctors-hospitals/info-02-2012/understanding-lab-test-results.html
2.FDA: U.S. Food and Drug Administration [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Tests Used In Clinical Care; [updated 2018 Sep 27; cited 2022 Jul 25]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/InVitroDiagnostics/LabTest/default.htm
3.MyHealthfinder.gov. [Internet]. Washington D.C.: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; National Health Information Center; Doctor Visits: Get Screened; [updated 2022 Jul 28; cited 2022 Jul 28]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/screening-tests/get-screened
4.Middlesex Hospital [Internet]. Middletown (CT): Middlesex Hospital c2022. Common Lab Tests; [cited 2022 Jul 25]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://middlesexhealth.org/laboratory-services/common-lab-tests
5.National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Understanding Laboratory Tests; [updated 2013 Dec 11; cited 2022 Jul 25]; [about 6 screens]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/understanding-lab-tests-fact-sheet#q1
6.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Blood Tests; [updated 2022 Mar 24; cited 2022 Jul 25]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/blood-tests
•At-Home Medical Tests
•Blood Glucose Test
•Cholesterol Levels
•Fasting for a Blood Test
•Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
•How to Cope with Medical Test Anxiety
Jan 4, 2024 · Positive and negative tests are typically used for diagnostic purposes to ascertain whether a disease or condition is present (positive) or not (negative). In layperson's terms: Positive means whatever the test was looking for was found. Negative means whatever the test was looking for was not found. Inconclusive means "unsure."
- Trisha Torrey
Sep 12, 2024 · Having trouble understanding blood test results and abbreviations? Ada Health's doctors provide clear, helpful explanations for your lab reports.
May 13, 2023 · What does a positive or negative result mean? Lab test results may be positive, negative, or inconclusive. Your doctor will discuss what your test results mean for you and your health. A positive test result means that the substance or condition being tested for was found.
What does a positive or negative result mean? Lab test results may be positive, negative, or inconclusive. Your doctor will discuss what your test results mean for you and your health. A positive test result means that the substance or condition being tested for was found.
Laboratory tests are imperfect and may mistakenly identify some healthy people as diseased (a false-positive result) or may mistakenly identify some affected people as disease-free (a false-negative result).
