Your blood test decoded: What common lab results mean

When your doctor orders “routine blood work,” you may later receive a sheet filled with numbers, abbreviations, and reference ranges. For many people, these results feel overwhelming or confusing — what do they actually mean for your health?

At MedEx, we believe in making healthcare clear and accessible. Here’s a guide to some of the most common blood tests, what they measure, and why they matter.

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The CBC is one of the most frequently ordered blood tests because it provides a snapshot of your general health. It measures several important components of your blood:

• Red blood cells (RBCs) & Hemoglobin: These carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
  
  • Low levels → may indicate anemia, blood loss, nutritional deficiencies (iron, B12, folate), or chronic illness.
    
  • High levels → can be linked to dehydration, smoking, or bone marrow conditions.
    
• White blood cells (WBCs): Key players in your immune system.
  
  • Elevated → often a sign of infection, inflammation, or stress on the body.
    
  • Low → may suggest immune suppression, bone marrow disorders, or certain medications.
    
• Platelets: Small cells that help blood clot.
  
  • Low platelets → increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
    
  • High platelets → can raise the risk of clotting disorders.
    

✅ Why it matters: A CBC helps detect anemia, infections, blood clotting problems, and some chronic diseases early on. It’s often the starting point in routine check-ups.

2. Lipid Profile (Cholesterol test)

The lipid profile measures the fats in your blood that affect heart and vascular health:

• Total cholesterol – the sum of all cholesterol in your blood.
  
• LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol): High levels can build up in arteries, leading to blockages.
  
• HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol): Helps clear cholesterol from the bloodstream, protecting your heart.
  
• Triglycerides: Another type of fat that, when elevated, increases heart disease and pancreatitis risk.
  

✅ Why it matters: This test is key for assessing your risk of heart disease and stroke. It can also guide lifestyle changes or medication needs before complications arise.

3. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

Your liver processes nutrients, detoxifies harmful substances, and produces proteins vital for life. LFTs measure enzymes and proteins made by the liver, including:

• ALT & AST: Enzymes that rise with liver inflammation or injury.
  
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): Can indicate bile duct or bone problems.
  
• Bilirubin: High levels may cause jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes).
  
• Albumin & total protein: Reflect how well your liver is making essential proteins.
  

✅ Why it matters: LFTs help detect conditions like fatty liver disease, hepatitis, alcohol-related liver injury, and bile duct problems before they cause symptoms.

4. Kidney Function Tests

Your kidneys filter waste and maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. Key markers include:

• Creatinine: A waste product filtered by the kidneys. High levels can indicate impaired kidney function.
  
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Another measure of kidney performance, also influenced by hydration and diet.
  
• eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate): A calculation that estimates how efficiently your kidneys are working.
  

✅ Why it matters: Detecting early signs of chronic kidney disease can prevent progression to more serious kidney damage.

5. Thyroid Function Tests

The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, growth, and energy balance. Common tests include:

• TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): Produced by the pituitary gland to control thyroid activity. Abnormal levels often appear before thyroid hormones change.
  
• Free T4 and Free T3: Hormones produced by the thyroid that control metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature.
  

✅ Why it matters: Imbalances can lead to hypothyroidism (sluggish thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), causing fatigue, weight fluctuations, mood changes, or heart issues. Both are manageable once diagnosed.

6. Blood Sugar (Glucose & HbA1c)

These tests evaluate how your body processes sugar:

• Fasting glucose: A single reading of your blood sugar after not eating for 8–12 hours.
  
• HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c): Provides an average of blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months.
  

✅ Why it matters: These are essential for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes and prediabetes, helping prevent complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney problems.

7. Vitamin & Mineral Levels

Nutritional deficiencies can be subtle but have a big impact on health. Commonly tested nutrients include:

• Vitamin D: Vital for bone strength, immunity, and mood regulation.
  
• Vitamin B12 & Folate: Needed for energy production, healthy nerves, and red blood cell formation.
  
• Iron & Ferritin: Essential for oxygen transport and preventing anemia.
  

✅ Why it matters: Many people, even those with balanced diets, can develop deficiencies that lead to fatigue, low immunity, or long-term health issues. Correcting deficiencies through diet or supplements can restore health quickly.

Making Sense of It All

Lab results are more than just numbers. They provide a window into your health, helping identify risks early — often before symptoms appear. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed looking at your blood test results, you’re not alone. Our doctors are here to explain what they mean and guide you through next steps — whether that’s reassurance, lifestyle adjustments, or follow-up care..

Want to customise your lab tests?

If you would like to include specific tests such as hormone levels, ferritin levels, or any other checks, we can help. Our booking system lets you customise your lab tests, and you can even arrange for a clinician to come to your home to perform the blood draw in the comfort of your own environment.

Book your blood work with us today and take the guesswork out of your health. Your results don’t just tell you where you are — they show you where you’re going.