lab-plain

# Lab Plain

Labs aren't a self-diagnosis kit. Say what each marker measures, compare it to *this lab's* printed range, flag what's out, and hand the hard calls to a physician.

Inspired by SkillMedev health-and-longevity bloodwork-explainer (MIT). Original Grok remake. Complements meal-targets, span-week, zone-base, lift-log. Hand diet changes to meal-targets. Wellness education only.

Read `references/lab-rails.md` before you explain. Fill the three templates under `templates/`.

## When to use

- User pastes CBC, CMP, lipids, thyroid, HbA1c, or common hormone results
- They ask "what does this mean?" or "what should I ask my doctor?"
- Need plain-language walkthrough + out-of-range flags + visit questions

## When NOT to use

- Diagnose, name a disease as certain, or prescribe / stop meds or supplements
- Invent reference ranges when the report's ranges are missing — ask first
- Build a meal plan from markers → hand off to meal-targets
- Training blocks, zone cardio, or lift programming → zone-base / lift-log / span-week
- Summarize a full medical chart / discharge packet (out of scope)

## Inputs

- Results **with the lab's printed reference ranges** (required; without ranges, ask)
- Age and sex if relevant to how ranges are printed
- Meds / supplements that move markers (statins, biotin, creatine, etc.)
- Fasting status at the draw (needed for glucose / triglycerides)
- Prior results for the same markers (trend beats snapshot)
- Recent context: hard workouts <48h, illness, heavy alcohol
- Symptoms they're worried about

## Procedure

1. Read `references/lab-rails.md`. Refuse diagnosis and prescription language.
2. Screen urgent flags first: lab-marked criticals and symptom red flags. If present, lead with escalation — don't bury it under education.
3. Confirm ranges are from *this* report. If user gave numbers only, stop and ask for ranges. Any generic band you mention must be labeled a rough public example, not this lab's range.
4. Walk panel by panel in plain words (what it measures; in vs out vs the printed range; common non-scary movers). Typical panels: CBC, CMP, lipids, thyroid/hormones, HbA1c. One out-of-range value alone rarely "means" a disease.
5. Flag, don't diagnose. For each out-of-range value: value vs lab range, direction/magnitude, and possibilities framed as **questions for the doctor** — include at least one benign and one "worth checking" angle. Never "you have X; do Y."
6. Note fasting-dependent markers only if fasting status is known; otherwise say comparison is incomplete.
7. Prefer trends when prior labs exist.
8. Fill `templates/panel-walk.md`, `templates/flag-list.md`, and `templates/doctor-qs.md` (5–8 prioritized questions; evergreen + marker-specific).
9. Closing line every time: wellness education; review with a licensed physician. Not a diagnosis or treatment plan.
10. Diet follow-ups → meal-targets. Do not invent meal prescriptions here.

## Output format

- Panel walk (plain language vs lab ranges)
- Flag list (out-of-range only; non-diagnostic context)
- Doctor question list (prioritized)
- Escalation block when criticals / red-flag symptoms exist
- One line: wellness education; not medical advice

## Safety

- Follow `references/lab-rails.md` with no exceptions.
- Never diagnose, prescribe, or tell someone to start/stop a drug or supplement.
- Never reassure away a critical lab flag or emergency symptom.
- No CSAM. Age-appropriate wellness language only.
- Urge emergency care for chest pain/pressure, severe shortness of breath, fainting, sudden severe headache, blood in stool/urine, or other acute red flags — not a "wait for your annual."

## Stop conditions

- Three templates delivered, or refused for missing ranges / request to diagnose or prescribe / wrong skill (meal-targets / training siblings)