Decoding your blood work
The results of the blood test may be difficult to interpret. Let's figure out ways to read these values
Blood results could help understand the basic health of an individual. They could be a great investigation for diagnosing various diseases that could usually go unnoticed and may require medical assistance. A final test result may usually show values that may be confusing and mysterious. Let's see how these simple values could be a possible diagnosis of more serious complications.
The normal values
The normal values are usually a range of numbers that help the clinician to keep a standardized reference value. When the values are lower or higher than the reference value, it may be considered an abnormality. However, these values may not always be the same for every individual, as they could change based on age, sex, and medical history. This could only be considered as an initial provisional diagnosis, and further investigations may help identify the disease.
🔴 Red Blood Cells (RBC), Hemoglobin, Hematocrit
These tell how well your blood carries oxygen.
Low levels - Anemia, blood loss, or nutritional deficiencies
High levels - Dehydration, smoking, or lung conditions
⚪ White Blood Cells (WBC)
White blood cells fight infection.
High WBC - Infection, inflammation, stress, or steroid use
Low WBC - Viral infections or certain medications
🟡 Platelets
Platelets help your blood clot.
Low platelets increase bleeding risk
High platelets - Inflammation or iron deficiency
🫘 Kidney Tests (Creatinine, BUN)
These show how well your kidneys filter waste.
High levels - Reduced kidney function or dehydration
Muscle mass can affect results
🍬 Glucose (Blood Sugar)
Measures sugar in your blood.
High glucose - Diabetes or prediabetes
Fasting vs. non-fasting levels matter
🧂 Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride)
These control fluid balance, nerves, and muscles.
Abnormal levels - Fatigue, cramps, confusion, or heart rhythm issues
Levels can change due to dehydration, medications, or illness
Liver Function Tests
These include ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin.
Elevated levels - Medications, alcohol, fatty liver, or infections
Mild elevations are often temporary
Lipid Panel (Cholesterol Tests)
This checks heart disease risk.
LDL (“bad cholesterol”) – higher levels increase heart risk
HDL (“good cholesterol”) – higher levels are protective
Triglycerides – related to diet, weight, and blood sugar
Thyroid Tests (TSH, T3, T4)
These measure thyroid hormone levels.
High TSH - Underactive thyroid
Low TSH - Overactive thyroid
