Labs
What do my blood test results mean?
Written by the Forever Young IV Bar teamPublished
Your lab report shows each result next to a reference range. A result outside that range may or may not point to a health problem, and a result inside it does not always mean good health. Your provider reads results together with your exam and history, so talk with them about what yours mean for you.
What a reference range is
Most lab reports list your number next to a "reference range." MedlinePlus explains that a reference range is the set of numbers from the low end to the high end of results considered normal, based on test results from large groups of healthy people.
Because ranges vary, the word "normal" can be misleading. MedlinePlus says a result outside the range that applies to you may or may not be a sign of a health problem, and it is common for healthy people to sometimes have results outside the range. A result inside the range does not always mean good health either.
Different labs often use different ranges, so use the range printed on your own report. If you want to track changes over time, MedlinePlus advises trying to use the same lab each time.
Two common blood panels
Two panels come up often.
A complete blood count (CBC) is a group of blood tests that measure the number and size of the different cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, plus hemoglobin and hematocrit.
A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a routine blood test that measures 14 different substances in your blood. MedlinePlus says it gives information about your metabolism and the balance of certain chemicals in your body. It includes glucose, calcium, electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, and markers made mainly in the liver.
These panels give general information. They do not show everything about your health.
If a result is outside the range
If a number is flagged, take a breath and make a plan.
- Do not panic. Your provider will look at other information about your health to understand what may have affected your result.
- Think about what you did before the test. MedlinePlus says foods and drinks, medicines and supplements, hard exercise, your menstrual cycle and not following fasting instructions can all affect results.
- Ask whether a repeat test makes sense. MedlinePlus says no test is perfect, and your provider may suggest another test if a result may be inaccurate.
- Do not change or stop any medicine on your own.
Questions to ask your provider
Bring a short list to your appointment.
- What does this result measure?
- Is it outside the range that applies to me, and by how much?
- Could anything I ate, took or did before the test explain it?
- Do we need to repeat it or add another test?
- When should I be rechecked?
Book a visit or ask a question
If you have lab questions, we are glad to talk them through. You can book online at foreveryoungivbar.com/book/ or call 469-613-7033. Our Plano studio is at 2609 Technology Drive, Suite 108 (inside Habitat Commons). A nurse can also come to you for mobile visits across Dallas-Fort Worth, which are booked by phone.