Evidence base

Sources & references

Reference ranges and educational content in Detectives Health are aligned with the sources below. Where guidance differs by region, the region selector (UK / US / FR / INTL) applies the appropriate set.

Last scientific content review

26 June 2026: adult thresholds aligned to NICE / NHS guidance.

Editorial lead

Steve Diongo, Founder & Scientific Lead: supported by the Detectives Health Team (15+ years NHS · 20+ years laboratory medicine).

Primary sources

NICE: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Clinical guidelines used as the primary reference for UK adult thresholds, screening pathways and red-flag criteria.
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NHS: Health A to Z
Patient-facing explanations and signposting (NHS 111, 999, urgent care). Educational copy is aligned with NHS language.
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BSH: British Society for Haematology
Reference for haematology test interpretation, FBC ranges and coagulation guidance.
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WHO: World Health Organization
International reference values, anaemia and obesity criteria used for the INTL region setting.
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Royal College of Pathologists
Pathology test profiles, critical value thresholds and result-reporting standards.
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CAP: College of American Pathologists
Reference for US conventional units and US lab range conventions.
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References by topic

Full Blood Count (FBC)

BSH Guideline: The laboratory diagnosis of haemoglobinopathies (2010, updated 2020).
NICE NG8: Chronic kidney disease in adults (anaemia thresholds).
WHO. Haemoglobin concentrations for the diagnosis of anaemia and assessment of severity.

Liver & Kidney

NICE NG50: Cirrhosis in over 16s: assessment and management.
NICE NG203: Chronic kidney disease: assessment and management (2021).
KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of CKD.

Cardiovascular

NICE CG181: Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction.
ESC/EAS 2019 Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias.
NICE NG196: Atrial fibrillation: diagnosis and management.

Prostate

NICE NG131: Prostate cancer: diagnosis and management.
PHE: Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme.

Breast

NICE NG101: Early and locally advanced breast cancer.
NHS Breast Screening Programme.

Diabetes / HbA1c

NICE NG28: Type 2 diabetes in adults: management.
WHO. Use of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

Educational only. Detectives Health does not diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, region, age, sex and pregnancy: always interpret results alongside your clinician.