New research reveals how unique blood test ranges can improve health insights
Did you know that your blood test results might tell a more personal story about your health than you think? A recent paper in Nature by Brody Foy and colleagues has uncovered fascinating insights about one of the most common medical tests—the complete blood count (CBC). The CBC measures various components of your blood like red and white blood cells, and hemoglobin.
The paper found that everyone has their own unique baseline, or “setpoint,” for their CBC values. If we look at the CBC results of two different people, their results will be much more different from each other than if we look at CBC results from the same person at two different points in time (even over 20 years). These personalized setpoints may actually be better at predicting your risk for certain diseases than relying solely on traditional reference ranges.
The Role of Genetics in Your Blood Test Results
Genetics may play a key role in shaping these setpoints. We already know that in certain cases genetics can predispose an individual to lab results outside the standard reference ranges; an example of this is Duffy-null associated neutrophil count.
- What Is the Duffy-Null Phenotype?
Genetic variation in the ACKR1 gene determines Duffy blood group status. People who lack the Duffy antigens on their red blood cells have what’s called the “Duffy-null” phenotype, which is associated with protection against certain types of malaria. This also leads to lower overall neutrophil count in the blood without any negative health effects. - Why Does This Matter?
Healthcare providers can sometimes see a low neutrophil count on bloodwork and order unnecessary followup tests that provide no benefit. These naturally low neutrophil levels can also lead to people with the Duffy-null phenotype being excluded from clinical trials or denied appropriate medication doses.
This is just one example of how genetic factors can influence blood test results, showing the importance of understanding personalized reference ranges that reflect individual biology.
Why Personalized Reference Ranges Matter
When it comes to blood test results, it’s clear that what’s “healthy” can be different between individuals due to genetics and other biological and demographic factors. Having more personalized reference ranges for blood tests would allow for better understanding of a patient’s actual health status, identifying risks more accurately to improve long-term health outcomes.
Potential benefits for healthcare
- More Accurate Risk Prediction: Personalized setpoints could help doctors identify risks for diseases more effectively.
- Fewer Unnecessary Tests: Patients might avoid unneeded follow-ups triggered by results that are technically outside the standard range but normal for them.
- Better Treatment Decisions: Tailored reference ranges could help ensure that patients receive the correct medication doses and aren’t excluded from clinical trials due to irrelevant test results.
This study underscores the potential of moving beyond generic reference ranges to embrace a more personalized approach to healthcare. By factoring in unique traits—like genetics and demographics—we can better understand what “healthy” looks like for each individual.
