How to Read Blood Test Results: Complete Guide

Understanding your blood test results: blood cells, cholesterol, glucose, liver markers... Everything you need to know explained simply.

You've just received your blood test results and you're lost among all those numbers and abbreviations? This guide helps you make sense of it all.

Important Reminder

Reference values may vary between laboratories. Always consult your doctor to interpret your results in your personal context.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The CBC is the basic test that analyzes the cells in your blood.

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

4.5-5.5

Million/μL (M)

4-5

Million/μL (F)

14-18

Hemoglobin g/dL (M)

12-16

Hemoglobin g/dL (F)

Role of Red Blood Cells

They transport oxygen from the lungs to all your organs via hemoglobin. Low count = anemia (fatigue, shortness of breath). High count = polycythemia.

White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)

These are your immune soldiers! Normal values: 4,000 to 10,000/μL

Type	Function	Normal %
Neutrophils	Fight bacteria	50-70%
Lymphocytes	Adaptive immunity	20-40%
Monocytes	Cleaners	3-8%
Eosinophils	Allergies, parasites	1-4%
Basophils	Inflammation	0-1%

Quick Interpretation

High WBC = likely infection or inflammation
Low WBC = weakened immune system

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Blood Clotting

Normal values: 150,000 to 400,000/μL

Platelets form "plugs" to stop bleeding. Too few = bleeding risk. Too many = clot risk.

Lipid Panel (Cholesterol)

< 200

Total Cholesterol mg/dL

> 40

HDL (good) mg/dL

< 100

LDL (bad) mg/dL

< 150

Triglycerides mg/dL

HDL = the 'good' cholesterol

It cleans your arteries by carrying cholesterol back to the liver. Higher is better!

LDL = the 'bad' cholesterol

It deposits cholesterol on artery walls. It should stay low.

Triglycerides

Fats from food. Elevated if diet is rich in sugars/alcohol.

Goals Based on Your Risk

If you have cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, smoking), LDL targets are stricter (< 70 mg/dL or even lower).

Blood Glucose (Blood Sugar)

Fasting Reference Values

Normal: 70-100 mg/dL
Prediabetes: 100-125 mg/dL
Diabetes: > 126 mg/dL (needs confirmation)

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

It reflects your average blood sugar over the past 3 months.

HbA1c	Interpretation
< 5.7%	Normal
5.7 - 6.4%	Prediabetes
≥ 6.5%	Diabetes

HbA1c is often more informative than a single glucose reading because it reflects longer-term trends and is less affected by day-to-day fluctuations.

Liver Panel

Liver Enzymes

< 40

AST (SGOT) U/L

< 45

ALT (SGPT) U/L

< 45

GGT U/L

< 125

ALP U/L

What Elevated Levels Mean

High ALT: liver stress (hepatitis, fatty liver, medications)
High AST: liver OR muscle (also elevated after intense exercise)
High GGT: alcohol, medications, biliary obstruction
High ALP: bone or bile ducts

Bilirubin

Yellow pigment from the breakdown of red blood cells.

Information

Elevated bilirubin can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

Kidney Panel

7-20

BUN mg/dL

0.7-1.3

Creatinine mg/dL (M)

0.5-1.1

Creatinine mg/dL (F)

> 90

eGFR mL/min

eGFR: The Key Marker

The estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is calculated from creatinine. It's a key indicator of kidney function, but interpretation depends on age, muscle mass, and clinical context.

> 90: normal function
60-89: mild decrease
30-59: moderate impairment
< 30: severe impairment

Inflammation Markers

CRP (C-Reactive Protein)

Normal value: < 10 mg/L (or < 1 mg/dL)

Slightly elevated (10-50 mg/L)

Many possible causes (infection, inflammation, recent exercise, chronic conditions). Trends and symptoms matter.

Moderately elevated (50-100 mg/L)

Often seen with significant inflammation or infection, but not specific to a single diagnosis.

Very elevated (> 100 mg/L)

Can be seen in severe infection or major inflammation; seek medical advice promptly, especially if you feel unwell.

Thyroid Panel

0.4-4

TSH mIU/L

0.8-1.8

Free T4 ng/dL

2.3-4.2

Free T3 pg/mL

Condition	TSH	T4
Normal	Normal	Normal
Hypothyroidism	↑ High	↓ Low
Hyperthyroidism	↓ Low	↑ High

How to Use Genki for Your Blood Tests

With Genki, you can:

Import your PDF lab results
Visualize your values with color-coded gauges (green/orange/red)
Track trends of your markers over time
Ask questions to the AI about your results

Pro Tip

Keep a history of your tests in Genki. Seeing how your markers evolve over months/years is often more informative than a single value.

Summary

An "abnormal" result doesn't necessarily mean you're sick. Many factors (stress, diet, medications, exercise) can influence your values.

"
Never self-diagnose based on your lab results. Always discuss your results with your doctor who will interpret them in your overall context.
"

— Medical Recommendation