ABSTRACT
In Chapter 3, we alluded briefly to subject-specific reference ranges and their use in monitoring the health status of individuals. Similarly, in Chapter 1, we spoke of decision levels that for some purposes, such as prevention of coronary heart disease, have become the new reference values, replacing conventional reference ranges. Increasing emphasis on prevention or early detection of disease necessarily involves monitoring individuals while they are in apparently good health or, at least, in remission of disease after treatment.
