What Are Lab Results?
Laboratory results are measurements of various substances in your blood, urine, or other body fluids. These tests provide crucial insights into your health status, help diagnose medical conditions, and monitor treatment effectiveness. Understanding your lab results empowers you to take control of your health and have more informed conversations with your healthcare providers.
Why Lab Results Matter
Regular lab testing is one of the most powerful tools in preventive healthcare:
- Early Detection: Identify health issues before symptoms appear
- Disease Prevention: Catch risk factors like high cholesterol or pre-diabetes
- Treatment Monitoring: Track how well medications and lifestyle changes are working
- Baseline Establishment: Create a health profile for future comparisons
- Risk Assessment: Evaluate your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
The CBC is one of the most common blood tests, providing detailed information about your blood cells:
White Blood Cells (WBC)
Normal Range: 4,000-11,000 cells/μL
High levels may indicate: Infection, immune system disorders, stress, or certain medications
Low levels may indicate: Immune system problems, bone marrow disorders, or certain medications
Red Blood Cells (RBC)
Normal Range: Men 4.7-6.1 million cells/μL, Women 4.2-5.4 million cells/μL
Low levels may indicate: Anemia, blood loss, chronic disease
High levels may indicate: Dehydration, lung disease, polycythemia
Hemoglobin (Hgb)
Normal Range: Men 14-18 g/dL, Women 12-16 g/dL
Function: Carries oxygen throughout your body
Low levels indicate: Anemia, which can cause fatigue and weakness
Cholesterol Panel
Cholesterol testing evaluates your cardiovascular risk and helps prevent heart disease:
Total Cholesterol
Optimal: Less than 200 mg/dL
Borderline High: 200-239 mg/dL
High: 240 mg/dL and above
LDL ("Bad" Cholesterol)
Optimal: Less than 100 mg/dL
Near Optimal: 100-129 mg/dL
High: 160 mg/dL and above
Impact: High LDL increases heart disease and stroke risk
HDL ("Good" Cholesterol)
Good: Men 40+ mg/dL, Women 50+ mg/dL
Excellent: 60+ mg/dL
Impact: Higher HDL levels protect against heart disease
Blood Glucose Testing
Blood sugar testing is crucial for diabetes prevention and management:
Fasting Glucose
Normal: 70-99 mg/dL
Pre-diabetes: 100-125 mg/dL
Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher (on two separate tests)
HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1C)
Normal: Less than 5.7%
Pre-diabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
Diabetes: 6.5% or higher
Function: Shows average blood sugar over 2-3 months
Kidney and Liver Function
Kidney Function Tests
Creatinine: Men 0.7-1.3 mg/dL, Women 0.6-1.1 mg/dL
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): 6-20 mg/dL
Elevated levels may indicate: Kidney disease, dehydration, or certain medications
Liver Function Tests
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): Men 10-40 U/L, Women 7-35 U/L
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): Men 10-40 U/L, Women 9-32 U/L
Elevated levels may indicate: Liver damage, hepatitis, or medication effects
How to Improve Your Lab Results
Many lab abnormalities can be improved through lifestyle changes:
- Diet: Focus on whole foods, limit processed foods and added sugars
- Exercise: Regular physical activity improves most lab markers
- Weight Management: Maintaining healthy weight benefits multiple lab values
- Sleep: Quality sleep affects hormone levels and glucose metabolism
- Stress Management: Chronic stress can negatively impact many lab results
- Hydration: Proper hydration is essential for accurate results