By Dr Alisha Naaz, PharmD

For many patients, the most stressful part of a medical test is not the needle, the waiting room, or even the diagnosis. It is the opening of a laboratory (lab) report.

A routine blood test is done. A few days later, the results of the report arrive through the NHS app, a patient portal or via email. The report is full of numbers. Some are highlighted. One or two values sit just outside the “normal” range. Next to them is a word that immediately catches the eye: abnormal.

There is no explanation. No context. And no reassurance.

For clinicians, this report is familiar and often unremarkable. For patients, it can feel alarming, confusing, and frightening.

The disconnect between how lab results are meant to be read and how they are experienced by patients is one of the most common sources of unnecessary anxiety in healthcare today.

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Contents

1. Why Lab Reports Feel So Intimidating
2. How Clinicians Read Lab Results (And Patients Usually Don’t Know This)
3. The Power of a Single Word: “Abnormal”
4. Reference Ranges: Helpful for Clinicians, Confusing for Patients
5. The Psychological Impact of Unexplained Results
6. The Internet as a Replacement for Explanation
7. A Section for Patients: What “Abnormal” Really Means
8. Why Patients Often Don’t Ask Questions
9. The Role of Empathy in Lab Result Communication
10. Practical Communication Strategies for Clinicians
11. Digital Access: Helpful but Incomplete
12. Why This Matters for Healthcare Outcomes
13. In Summary: Turning Numbers into Understanding
14. References

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DISCLAIMER:

While I am a practising doctor, the information on this site is for educational purposes only. It does not take into account your personal circumstances, which can significantly affect medical decision-making and treatment. This content therefore does not constitute medical advice, and should not be relied upon for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any health concerns.

This article was written by a guest writer, and published on the 21/01/2026 using up-to-date sources at that time. Please be aware that medical information and guidelines change often.

Why lab reports feel so intimidating

Lab reports were never designed with patients in mind. They are structured to:

• Record numerical data accurately
• Allow comparison with reference ranges
• Support clinical decision-making

They are not designed to explain meaning.

Most reports show:

• Test names
• Numerical values
• Reference ranges
• Flags such as “High,” “Low,” or “abnormal”

What they rarely show is why a value is flagged or whether it actually matters or not. Without explanation, patients are left to interpret numbers on their own. And when people are unsure, fear often fills the gap.

How clinicians read lab results (and patients may not know this)

When a healthcare professional reviews a report, they automatically consider:

• Why the test was advised
• The patient’s symptoms
• Past medical history
• Medications and supplements
• Age and sex
• Recent illness, stress, or dehydration
• Trends over time

In this context, a mildly raised or lowered value may mean very little.

Patients, however, often see only one test, one moment, and one number.

Without the clinical context, a slightly abnormal result can feel like a serious warning sign. This difference in interpretation is not a failure on the patient’s part at all. It is a communication gap.

The power of a single word: abnormal

The word abnormal carries an emotional weight. To many people, it suggests:

• Something is wrong with their body
• A serious condition is developing
• They should be worried immediately

Even when a clinician sees no cause for concern, the emotional impact of that word can linger for days or weeks. Patients often arrive at follow-up appointments already anxious, sometimes having lost sleep or spent hours searching the internet.

The fear is real, even when there is no risk.

Reference ranges: helpful for clinicians, confusing
for patients

Reference ranges are only statistical tools; they are not for personal judgments. They are usually based on results from large populations and represent where most values fall,
not where all healthy people must fall.

This means:

• Some healthy people naturally sit just outside the range
• Small variations are common and often harmless
• Results can change based on diet, hydration, stress, or time of day

Patients are rarely told these details. Without explanation, reference ranges feel like strict rules rather than flexible guides.

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Editor’s note: Here’s a simple example.

The normal reference range for sodium in the blood is typically 133–146 mmol/L. A result of 148 mmol/L might be flagged as “abnormal.”

However, if you were slightly dehydrated at the time of the test, your sodium level would naturally be higher, because more water in your blood dilutes sodium (hence if you’re well hydrated, the result may be lower).

This doesn’t automatically indicate a problem—it may simply mean the test should be repeated when you’re well hydrated. If the value remains high or increases further, then it provides clinicians with clearer insight into your health.

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The psychological impact of unexplained results

Unclear lab results do not just cause momentary worry. They can have lasting effects. Patients may:

• Assume the worst
• Begin to doubt their health, even when they feel well
• Feel anxious about future tests
• Avoid asking questions
• Engage in self-diagnosis

This anxiety is not irrational. It is a natural response to the uncertainty. Clear communication does not remove uncertainty entirely, but it prevents fear from taking
over.

The internet as a replacement for explanation

When patients do not receive timely explanations, many turn to the internet. This often leads to:

• Worst-case scenarios appearing first
• Conflicting information and misinformation
• Medical terms without context
• Increased confusion rather than clarity

Patients are not searching because they want to challenge their clinicians. They are searching because they want reassurance and understanding. Better communication between practitioners and patients reduces the need for this search.

What “abnormal” really means

If you are a patient reading your lab report, then this section is for you. Seeing an “abnormal” value does not automatically mean that something is seriously wrong. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

• Lab ranges are general guides, not strict limits
• Small changes can happen due to stress, food, hydration, or mild illness
• One test rarely tells the full story
• Doctors look at patterns over time, not just one report
• Many abnormal values do not need treatment

Most importantly: do not panic before speaking to your healthcare provider. Your clinician is trained to interpret these numbers in context and explain what they mean for
you.

Why patients often don’t ask questions

Many patients leave appointments with unanswered questions. Common reasons include:

• Feeling rushed
• Not wanting to seem difficult
• Assuming results will be explained if important
• Feeling embarrassed about not understanding

Silence does not always mean clarity. It often means confusion. Encouraging questions is not a burden; it is part of good care.

The role of empathy in lab result communication

Lab reports are not just the data points. They are deeply personal. Each report belongs to someone who has:

• Responsibilities
• Fears
• Past experiences
• A life outside the clinic

Acknowledging emotional reactions does not weaken medical care. It strengthens trust.

A very simple sentence like, “This looks worrying, but let me explain why it is not dangerous,” can change the entire experience of patients.

Practical communication strategies for clinicians

Improving how lab results are discussed does not require lengthy explanations. Small changes can make a big difference:

• Use simple language
• Explain why a value is flagged
• Reassure when the results are not concerning
• Be clear about the next steps
• Invite questions

Patients value honesty and clarity more than technical details. This emphasis on clear communication is at the heart of health literacy*—which isn’t about a person’s education level, but about how well information is conveyed. Improving health literacy leads to better understanding, reduced anxiety, and stronger patient-clinician relationships.

*Health literacy: the ability “to access, understand, appraise and use information and services in ways that promote and maintain good health and well-being.”

Digital access: helpful but incomplete

Patient portals, like the NHS app, have improved access to information, but they also create new challenges. Seeing results without any explanation can increase anxiety, especially when follow-up is delayed. Possible improvements include:

• Summaries in Plain Language
• Common variations explained in Notes
• Clear guidance on when to worry
• Visual explanations

Until systems improve, effective clinician to patient communication remains essential.

Why this matters for healthcare outcomes

When patients understand their results:

• They feel more in control
• They trust their clinicians more
• They feel less anxious
• They engage more actively in their care

Clear communication is not an extra task; it is a core part of healthcare.

In summary: turning numbers into understanding

Lab reports are meant to inform, not to frighten. When numbers are shared without any explanation, fear fills in the gaps. When results are translated with empathy and clarity, patients feel more supported rather than being overwhelmed.

Medical care is not just about the tests and the treatments. It is also about understanding. And sometimes, the most important intervention is a clear explanation of a report.

For patients, understanding can be as healing as treatment itself.

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Editor’s note:

Lab reports are more than just numbers—they are information, and like any information, they need context. As Dr Naaz highlights, seeing a flagged or “abnormal” value can provoke real fear, even when there is no immediate cause for concern.

The key takeaway is that you do not need to interpret these numbers alone. If you receive a lab report that worries you, take a deep breath, avoid jumping to conclusions online, and reach out to your clinician with questions. A simple conversation can turn confusion into clarity—and anxiety into reassurance.

• Have you ever received a lab report that left you confused or worried? How did you handle it?

• What strategies or questions have helped you better understand your medical results?

• How could clinicians or digital tools improve the way lab results are communicated to patients?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a comment below.

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Dr Alisha Naaz, PharmD, is a doctor of Pharmacy and a medical, scientific, and regulatory writer. With her clinical experience and a strong publication record, she specialises in translating complex medical and scientific information into clear and accurate content. You can explore more of her work on her LinkedIn page.

Other references

https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/

https://www.cityhealthpractice.nhs.uk/your-healthcare/blood-test-results

https://www.cdc.gov/health-literacy/index.html

https://www.ahrq.gov/health-literacy/improve/precautions/index.html

https://www.ahrq.gov/health-literacy/improve/precautions/index.html