reference values

Definition of reference values

reference values (REH-frents VAL-yooz): In medicine, a set of values that a doctor uses to interpret a patient’s test results. The reference values for a given test are based on the results that are seen in 95% of the healthy population. Sometimes patients whose test results are outside of the reference values may be healthy, and some patients whose test results are within the reference values may have a health problem. The reference values for a test may be different for different groups of people (for example, men and women). Also called normal range, reference interval, and reference range.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms