We often get questions about lab results for blood or urine. We are not doctors. Even if we were, we are not your doctor. We do not have all your information and history in front of us. We cannot interpret your labs.
We can give you some general information about lab work related to preeclampsia. I will outline some common issues in this post. This could help you better understand your results. But of course, your doctor will need to interpret them and explain what they mean in your particular case.
1. Reference ranges
The reference ranges printed on your results are usually based on non-pregnant people. Pregnancy itself can cause changes to your blood and urine. Something might be flagged high or low that is actually normal for pregnancy. Before you get too worried about all the H's and L's, check with your doctor.
2. Baseline tests
3. Urine dip test
4. 24-Hour urine test
5. Protein-creatinine ratio (PCR)
6. Complete blood count (CBC)
7. Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
There are other lab results that may be abnormal with preeclampsia or HELLP. They are not specific, though, and are not used in diagnosis. They are a general sign that your body is dealing with something. Check with your doctor to see what they mean and if they are concerning.