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LabVerdict

Glossary · Testing Basics

Sensitivity & Specificity

Sensitivity is how often a test correctly identifies people who have the condition; specificity is how often it correctly clears people who do not. No test is perfect on both. Lab-based tests processed in CLIA-certified facilities generally publish validated performance characteristics, while some direct-to-consumer wellness panels measure things with less settled clinical meaning. The numbers are usually available — and worth reading before you buy.

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