How to read your blood test results: CBC, lipids, liver, kidney: which values matter
A section-by-section guide to your blood test report (CBC, sugar, lipids, liver, kidney, uric acid and urine) with reference ranges and the signs that mean you should see a doctor.
A blood test report is full of abbreviations, and the numbers in bold or with an asterisk are unnerving. Below, section by section, is what each value measures, roughly where normal lies, and which results mean you should come back and talk to a doctor. Reference ranges differ slightly between laboratories, so go by the range printed on your own report.
Key takeaways
- A single slightly abnormal value doesn't mean disease. Many values move with food, sleep, exercise and short-term illness.
- Values to take seriously: sugar ≥126 mg/dL, HbA1c ≥6.5%, high LDL with other risk factors, eGFR <60, and liver enzymes more than 2–3× the upper limit.
- Read values as a set, not one at a time: kidney means creatinine with eGFR; anaemia means haemoglobin with MCV.
- Our doctor explains every result, and a repeat test in 2–4 weeks is usually the first step before concluding anything is truly abnormal.
CBC: complete blood count
| Value | What it measures | Approximate reference range | If abnormal, usually means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hb (haemoglobin) | Blood concentration | Men 13–17 · women 12–15 g/dL | Low = anaemia (iron deficiency, thalassaemia, blood loss) · high = thick blood |
| MCV | Red cell size | 80–100 fL | Low = iron deficiency or thalassaemia · high = B12/folate deficiency, alcohol |
| WBC (white cells) | Immunity | 4,000–10,000 /µL | High = infection, inflammation, stress · low = viral illness, medication or marrow disease |
| Platelets | Clotting | 150,000–400,000 /µL | Low = dengue, medication, liver disease · high = inflammation, iron deficiency |
In Thailand anaemia usually comes from one of two causes, iron deficiency or thalassaemia carrier status, which can be told apart by MCV and further tests. If Hb is only slightly low with no symptoms, the doctor usually checks iron or haemoglobin type before prescribing. Don't buy iron supplements yourself: some thalassaemia carriers should not take extra iron.
Sugar: FBS and HbA1c
| Value | Normal | At risk (prediabetes) | Diabetes range |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBS (after 8 h fasting) | <100 mg/dL | 100–125 mg/dL | ≥126 mg/dL (confirm with a repeat) |
| HbA1c (3-month average) | <5.7% | 5.7–6.4% | ≥6.5% |
A single slightly high FBS can come from incomplete fasting, poor sleep or stress. HbA1c doesn't depend on your last meal, so it's good for confirmation. If you're in the at-risk range, diet and exercise changes work best now. See the values used to monitor diabetes.
Lipid profile
The lipid panel has four main values: total cholesterol (TC), LDL ('bad'), HDL ('good') and triglycerides (TG). LDL carries the most weight in decisions, and the target is not the same for everyone: someone with no risk factors may be fine up to 130 mg/dL, while someone with diabetes or previous heart disease needs to be below 70 or 55 mg/dL.
High TG usually goes with starchy and sugary food, alcohol and not fasting before the test. Low HDL goes with inactivity and smoking. See targets for each group in normal LDL and HDL values.
Liver: AST, ALT, ALP
| Value | Approximate reference range | High usually means |
|---|---|---|
| ALT (SGPT) | About <40 U/L (lab-specific) | Fatty liver, medication, alcohol, viral hepatitis. More liver-specific than AST |
| AST (SGOT) | About <40 U/L | Liver, but also raised by muscle after hard exercise |
| ALP | About 40–130 U/L | Bile ducts, bone; normally raised in growing children and pregnancy |
The commonest cause of mildly raised ALT in working-age adults is fatty liver from excess weight, which improves with a 5–10% weight loss. If it's more than 2–3× normal, or stays high, the doctor tests for hepatitis B and C (included in Plan B) and may arrange an ultrasound. Some herbal remedies and supplements also raise liver enzymes, so tell the doctor everything you take.
Kidney: BUN, creatinine, eGFR
| Value | Approximate reference range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Creatinine (Cr) | Men 0.7–1.2 · women 0.5–1.0 mg/dL | Depends on muscle mass; bigger people naturally run higher |
| eGFR | ≥90 normal · 60–89 mildly reduced · <60 needs follow-up | Calculated from Cr, age and sex; used to stage kidney disease |
| BUN | 7–20 mg/dL | Raised by dehydration or a high-protein diet; not always kidney damage |
An eGFR below 60 for more than 3 months meets the definition of chronic kidney disease, but a single low reading after dehydration, hard exercise or NSAID painkillers may be temporary. Repeating the test and checking urine protein is the standard step before concluding. People with diabetes or high blood pressure should check this every year.
Uric acid and urine
- Uric acid above about 7 mg/dL (men) or 6 mg/dL (women) raises the risk of gout and kidney stones, but many people have high uric acid without ever having symptoms and don't need medication. Adjust diet and cut alcohol first
- Urinalysis (UA) looks at protein, sugar, red and white cells. Protein leak is the first sign of diabetic kidney damage; lots of white cells usually mean infection
- Red cells in urine without symptoms need a repeat test, and women should avoid testing during a period
Results that mean come back soon, not next year
- FBS ≥126 or HbA1c ≥6.5%: diabetes range; needs confirmation and a care plan
- LDL ≥190 mg/dL: often genetic; medication needs assessing
- eGFR <60 or protein in urine: repeat and look for the cause
- ALT or AST more than 2–3× normal: test for hepatitis and consider ultrasound
- Hb below 10 g/dL or platelets below 100,000: find the cause
- Any abnormal value together with symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, severe fatigue or abnormal urine
Good to know: Bring your previous reports every time. A trend over several years says more than one number. The clinic offers individual blood tests to follow up an abnormal value without repeating the whole panel.
Frequently asked questions
Usually not. The doctor typically repeats the test in 2–4 weeks with proper preparation, and investigates only if it's still abnormal. Very high values, or values with symptoms, should be seen soon.
Related services
Related articles
Sources
- Understanding Your Lab Test Results MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Standards of Care in Diabetes: Classification and Diagnosis American Diabetes Association
- KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes
This content is general information and does not replace an examination, diagnosis or personal advice from a doctor. Published 20 September 2026
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