Decoding Tests: Laboratory Diagnostics

An illustrated guide to help you read the results of medical tests correctly. Each spread is a clear step-by-step algorithm for interpreting results, including what might cause indicators to rise or fall and what mechanisms lie behind it. Separately explained is why results obtained in different laboratories sometimes don’t match—and how to assess such differences correctly. The book dispels common misconceptions and provides clear guidelines for interpreting data.

The graphic format, developed by Dr. Sergey Vyalov, combines a scheme with brief commentary: what a particular indicator means, what causes may underlie deviations, and what you should pay attention to first. Coverage includes a wide range of laboratory topics: complete blood count, hormones, cholesterol and glucose, vitamins and microelements, inflammation markers and tumor markers, indicators of immunity, and other tests. For each parameter, reference values are provided separately for men and women, along with an explanation of the possible meaning of increases or decreases.

The material is based on current clinical guidelines and the author’s long-standing practice, helping you make sense of terminology and view tests not as a reason for panic, but as a tool for conscious health control. Design: LLC “AST Publishing House,” 2025.