General medical words
What Does Borderline Mean on a Test Result?
Borderline · say it: BOR-der-lineAlso written: borderline high, borderline low, equivocal, indeterminate, slightly raised
Short answer
Borderline means a result sits close to the edge between normal and abnormal, so it is not clearly in either group.
What it means
Some results fall right near the cut-off line that a lab or guideline uses. Rather than calling them clearly normal or clearly abnormal, a report may call them borderline. Similar words include equivocal and indeterminate.
A borderline result often leads to a repeat test, a different test or simply watching the trend over time. Small changes from day to day, or between labs, can move a result to either side of a line.
The meaning of borderline depends on the test. For some tests it is a cue to keep an eye on things; for others it may prompt further checks.
Where you may see it
- Blood test reports (cholesterol, sugar, thyroid)
- Blood pressure readings
- Screening and antibody tests
📄 How it looks on a report
Fasting glucose: borderline high
🙅 What it does not mean
- Borderline does not mean you have the condition, and it does not mean you definitely do not.
- It is not the same as a mistake or a failed test.
- Borderline results are not automatically ignored; they may be watched or rechecked.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Borderline”
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🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Borderline” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.