Understanding Your Blood Test Report
When you get your blood test results back, you're typically faced with a list of abbreviations, numbers, and reference ranges. It can feel overwhelming, but once you understand the basics, it becomes much more manageable.
Key Sections of a Blood Test
Full Blood Count (FBC / CBC)
This is the most commonly ordered blood test. It measures:- Haemoglobin (Hb) — The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Low levels indicate anaemia.
- White Blood Cells (WBC) — Your immune system's army. High counts can indicate infection or inflammation.
- Platelets — Help your blood clot. Very low counts can cause excessive bleeding.
- MCV (Mean Cell Volume) — The average size of your red blood cells. Helps determine the type of anaemia.
Metabolic Panel
- Glucose — Your blood sugar level. Fasting glucose above 7.0 mmol/L may indicate diabetes.
- HbA1c — Your average blood sugar over 2–3 months. More reliable than a single glucose reading.
- Sodium & Potassium — Electrolytes essential for nerve and muscle function.
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
- ALT & AST — Enzymes released when liver cells are damaged. Mildly elevated in many common conditions.
- Bilirubin — A waste product from red blood cell breakdown. High levels can cause jaundice.
- Albumin — A protein made by the liver. Low levels can indicate liver or kidney problems.
Kidney Function
- Creatinine — A waste product filtered by the kidneys. Rising levels suggest declining kidney function.
- eGFR — Estimated filtration rate. Below 60 for three months or more may indicate chronic kidney disease.
What Do the Reference Ranges Mean?
Each result comes with a reference range — the values considered normal for the general population. These ranges can vary by:
- Age — Children and elderly have different normal ranges
- Sex — Men and women have different ranges for many markers
- Laboratory — Different labs may use slightly different methods
Red Flags to Watch For
- Results marked H (high) or L (low) deserve attention but aren't always cause for alarm
- Critical values (marked with !! or flagged urgently) need prompt medical attention
- Trends matter more than single results — one slightly high reading is usually less concerning than a steadily rising pattern
Next Steps
Upload your results to CheckMyBloods to see your values visualised with clear colour coding, track changes over time, and get AI-powered insights about what your results might mean.
