In response

摘要

We thank Dr. Welborn for his thoughtful comments (1). It is a challenge to write a useful, clear, and comprehensive Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) that addresses important areas of uncertainty without seeming dogmatic or inappropriately proscriptive. Dr. Welborn says that the guideline provides "optimal and rational laboratory parameters to achieve best practice in the majority of patients. But some patients will require additional clinical assessment and individual treatment outside the framework of the current guidelines." We thank him for the acknowledgment. We also agree with his latter statement, which is underscored by our disclaimer "to use this information in conjunction with their best clinical judgment" because "recommendations may not be appropriate in all situations" and to use the guidelines based on "individual patient circumstances."