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Unreliable lab tests

Authoring team

Laboratory test results are often unreliable:

  • white cell counts and ESR may not be greatly elevated despite significant sepsis
  • conversely, markedly raised ESR may occur in apparently healthy elderly patients
  • C-reactive protein is a much more sensitive inflammatory marker (1)

Reference:

  • N Lawrence et al, HB Emergencies in Gen Pract 2e, 1997

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