A critical result is a lab value that falls far enough outside the expected range that it requires immediate review by a licensed physician. When your results include a critical result, a licensed physician reviews it and may contact you directly — by phone or message — to discuss the finding and recommend next steps. Receiving a critical result does not automatically mean something is seriously wrong, but it does mean your result needs prompt attention.
What happens when you have a critical result
The steps below happen automatically — you don't need to initiate them:
The lab flags the result as critical and sends it for physician review.
The licensed physician who authorized your test reviews the critical result.
If follow-up is appropriate, the physician's team contacts you using the phone number and email address on file for your account.
What you should do
If you've received a notification about a critical result or are expecting a call:
Watch for a call or message from the physician's team. They'll reach out using the contact information associated with your account.
Have your results open if you'd like to reference specific markers during a call.
Do not make changes to medications, supplements, or your health routine based on a single result before speaking with your care team.
Important limitations
At-home lab tests are for wellness and health optimization, not for diagnosing disease. If you feel unwell or have a medical concern that needs immediate attention, contact your own healthcare provider or call emergency services (911) right away — do not wait for a results call.
Need more help?
If you've seen a critical result in your portal and want to speak with someone now, contact our support team through chat and we'll connect you with your care team.