Most of us walk into a lab, get a blood test done, and wait for a doctor to interpret the results. Understanding the basics of your own report puts you in a much better position to ask the right questions.
Important: This article is for general understanding. Always discuss your specific results with a qualified doctor.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Haemoglobin (Hb): Normal 13-17 g/dL (men), 12-15 g/dL (women). Low = anaemia, common in India, especially women.
White blood cell count (WBC): Normal 4,000-11,000/μL. High suggests infection; low suggests immune issues.
Platelets: Normal 150,000-450,000/μL. Low can suggest dengue.
Lipid Profile (Cholesterol)
Total cholesterol: Below 200 mg/dL desirable.
LDL (“bad”): Below 100 mg/dL desirable; below 70 with heart disease.
HDL (“good”): Above 40 (men), above 50 (women).
Triglycerides: Below 150 mg/dL desirable.
Blood Sugar
Fasting blood sugar (FBS): Normal below 100; pre-diabetic 100-125; diabetic 126+.
HbA1c: Average blood sugar over 2-3 months. Normal below 5.7%; pre-diabetic 5.7-6.4%; diabetic 6.5%+.
Liver Function (LFT)
SGOT/SGPT: Enzymes that signal liver inflammation when elevated. Causes include fatty liver (common), viral hepatitis, medications.
Bilirubin: Yellow pigment. Elevated can cause jaundice.
Kidney Function (KFT)
Creatinine: Normal 0.6-1.3 mg/dL. Elevated = reduced kidney function.
eGFR: Above 90 normal; below 60 sustained indicates chronic kidney disease.
Vitamin and Mineral Markers
Vitamin D: Severely deficient in most urban Indians. Normal 30-100 ng/mL.
Vitamin B12: Common deficiency in vegetarians. Normal 200-900 pg/mL.
Iron and Ferritin: Low ferritin = iron-deficient even if haemoglobin is normal.
Thyroid Profile
TSH: Most important thyroid marker. Normal 0.4-4.0 mIU/L. High = hypothyroidism; low = hyperthyroidism.
How to interpret your report
Trends matter more than single readings. Reference ranges are statistical, not biological. Always discuss your report with a doctor.
Klik News Health. This article is for informational purposes and not a substitute for medical advice.