This is a compilation of updated articles taken from the national quarterly therapeutics journal, "Australian Prescriber". It focusses on the interpretation of abnormal labratory results and contains information on HIV and blood clotting tests, units of measure, technology and updated methods.

Abnormal Laboratory Results is a compilation of articles from Australian Prescriber journal on the interpretation of abnormal laboratory results. Includes HIV and blood clotting tests, new units of measure and new technologies. Enables Pathologists, general practitioners and related healthcare professionals to remain abreast of the latest developments in the interpretation of abnormal laboratory results.

• ForewardPrefaceContributorsAcknowledgements1. What to do about abnormal laboratory results2. Abnormal laboratory results3. What does the reference range of a biochemical screen test mean?4. Plasma creatinine5. Serum potassium6. Calcium7. Managing hyperlipidaemia: criteria for investigating8. Interpretation and significance of a high blood cholesterol9. Hyperuricaemia10. Liver function tests11. The glucose tolerance test12. Diabetes monitoring: use of glycated haemoglobin and glycated protein assays13. Tests of thyroid function14. Interpretation of arterial blood gases15. Plasma urea16. Plasma sodium17. The red cells18. Interpretation of biochemical tests for iron deficiency: diagnostic difficulties related to limitations of individual tests19. Appropriate use of tests for folate and vitamin B12 deficiency20. Tests of haemostasis: detection of the patient at risk of bleeding21. Investigations for thrombotic tendencies22. Urine testing23. Hepatitis B testing24. Hepatitis B: issues in laboratory diagnosis and vaccination25. HIV testing in Australia26. Testing for Helicobacter pylori27. Hepatitis C: diagnosis and monitoring28. Antinuclear antibodies29. Rheumatoid factor30. Creatinine clearance and the assessment of renal function31. Drug screens