A plain-language explanation of tests your doctor might order — what they measure and why, so your report makes a bit more sense.
Measures red cells, white cells, platelets, and hemoglobin. Checks for anemia, infection, and clotting ability. One of the most commonly ordered tests for general health checks.
Measures total cholesterol, LDL ("bad"), HDL ("good"), and triglycerides. Used to assess heart disease risk, usually done fasting.
Fasting and post-meal (PP) sugar show current blood glucose levels. HbA1c shows average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months — key for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes.
Measures liver enzymes (SGOT/SGPT), bilirubin, and proteins. Checks how well the liver is working, often ordered before starting certain medications or if fatty liver is suspected.
Measures creatinine, urea, and electrolytes to assess how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood.
TSH is usually the first check — high TSH often means underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), low TSH often means overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Checks for infection, protein, sugar, and blood in urine — useful for detecting UTIs, kidney issues, or uncontrolled diabetes.
Both are markers of inflammation in the body. Raised levels suggest an infection, autoimmune condition, or other inflammatory process, though they don't point to a specific cause on their own.
Common deficiency tests, especially relevant for fatigue, bone/joint pain, or nerve-related symptoms like tingling.
Often ordered together during infections (like dengue or COVID-19) to assess severity and monitor for complications.
Normal ranges vary by lab and by individual factors like age, sex, and pregnancy. Always interpret your results with your doctor rather than comparing numbers online — a value slightly outside the "normal" range isn't automatically a cause for concern.