My Go-To App for Keeping Lab Results Organized - Ornament to the Rescue!
Hello to all who've stopped by!
I'm one of those people who's always getting lab results and seeing doctors, and I've got a confession to make: I used to be a total mess when it came to organizing all those papers and reports.
I'd store everything in a special folder, but then I'd misplace it, or the doctor would ask for a specific result, and I'd be like, 'Uh, where did I put that?'
That's when I discovered the Ornament app, and let me tell you, it's been a game-changer!
Where to download?
You can find it in the Google Play Store for Android and the App Store for iOS.
The app icon looks like this
When you launch the app, you're greeted by a pastel-colored splash screen
Before you can start using the app, you'll need to sign up - enter your email address, age, and gender. Your age and gender are required, as they'll help the app determine the right reference values for you.
The app's interface is super simple and easy to understand.
There are four tabs in total: Labs, Monitor, Community, and Settings.
Let's start with the least interesting one - Settings.
In this tab, you can add another profile in case you want to store test results for a family member, for instance.
You can also adjust the reference values if the app's data doesn't match the lab's data where you got your tests done.
Community
I didn't end up using the analysis-sharing feature, to be honest - it wasn't something I needed, so I didn't bother.
Analysis
So, let's dive into the main event - actually using the app to input my results. There are a few ways to do this, but I found the plus button to be the most intuitive, allowing me to choose the method that suits me best.
I tried taking photos of the results and digitizing them. Once I'd created a scan, it was sent off for digitization in the app, and after a bit of waiting (it took me exactly over an hour), the data from the results sheet was automatically populated into the app.
The digitization process takes a bit of time, but it gets the job done with surprising accuracy. I double-checked everything, and I'm happy to report that both the numbers and the lettering were spot on.
If you do spot any errors in the input process, you can easily edit them through the app's editing mode.
I also tried entering the data manually, and I have to say, I preferred this method to digitization.
To do this, I simply tapped the plus button in the analysis tab, selected 'enter data manually', entered the date of the analysis, the lab, and even added some notes (like the day of my menstrual cycle if the test needed to be taken on a specific day). It was a pretty seamless process.
Next, we start filling in the data. For example, I needed to enter the result of my glucose analysis.
We enter the result and see that we have several options for this analysis: blood, serum, plasma, and glucose load. Chances are, you'll find the option you need with almost 100% certainty.
I was interested in serum, so I chose that option and then had to enter the analysis result.
Next, I had to select the units in which the analysis was measured. This is another big plus – there are many unit options available, which is great because different labs measure things differently.
After saving the data, we can see on the same page which analyses are within the normal range and which aren't.
I love how they use a green circle to indicate the results - dark green means it's spot on, light green means it's within a sweet spot for your age and height, and yellow means it's off the charts.
When you click on the Monitor tab, all the data you've entered is organized by type, so you can easily see the hormone, biochemical, and clotting tests you've taken.
You can drill down into each analysis to see the details.
If you've taken the test once, you'll just see a point with the value and the date it was taken.
Below that, you'll see the reference range boundaries.
If you've taken the test multiple times, the graph will show the dates you entered, but only the latest result will have a value.
What didn't I like about it, or what are the downsides of the app?
Even though this app is super convenient, unfortunately, it's not perfect - there are some drawbacks.
One thing that's bugged me is that the app can be a bit slow to respond. I've noticed it's not just me - my mom's phone has the same issue, and there are plenty of comments on the Google Play store from other users who've experienced the same problem.
It's not a deal-breaker, but it's frustrating when you tap on the screen and nothing happens, and you're not sure if it's just you being clumsy or the app being a bit sluggish.
Another issue that's not critical but is a bit annoying is that the app doesn't break down hormone analysis results by menstrual cycle phase.
The only workaround is to note down the date of your last menstrual cycle in the notes section, but that's just a personal reminder that doesn't get reflected anywhere else.
It could get confusing if you submit an analysis during a follicular phase, and the results are below or above the reference values for that phase (which are typically around 1.68-15 for follicular phase LH), but they'd be within the normal range for another phase (e.g. luteal phase LH, which is around 0.61-16.3).
According to the app, my results would be normal, but in reality, there might be an issue.
One possible solution is to try adjusting and resetting the reference values in the settings.
The Verdict
This is an incredibly convenient and, more importantly, free app that lets you store your information without worrying about losing any data.
One thing that really stands out about this app is the sheer amount of research options available, plus the flexibility to input data manually or upload a photo or PDF file.
I'm also loving the complete lack of ads.
Of course, it's not perfect – the app can be a bit sluggish at times, and I've noticed some inaccuracies with hormonal research (specifically when it comes to women's hormones, but maybe I'm just being picky).
I'm not taking away a star for these issues, though – overall, the app is still super user-friendly, and the drawbacks aren't deal-breakers.
Would I recommend it?
Absolutely, yes! This kind of organizer for test results is way more convenient than digging through paper files or printed reports.
Plus, the chances of forgetting my phone are way lower than forgetting a printed report.