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Test guide

What do your lab results mean?

Plain-language notes on 99 common tests and 13 checkups: what each test measures, why it's done and what high or low results can mean.

Popular: HbA1c TSH Vitamin D Complete blood count (CBC)Lipid profile Ferritin Vitamin B12 Creatinine

Checkups

Yearly health checkupAdults, once a year (from about age 30, or earlier with a family history).10 tests Feeling tired all the timeOngoing tiredness, weakness, hair fall or breathlessness.6 tests Diabetes carePeople with diabetes or prediabetes.8 tests Heart healthAdults over 40, smokers, or with diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease.6 tests ThyroidWeight change, tiredness, feeling hot or cold, irregular periods, or when planning pregnancy.4 tests Women's health and PCOSIrregular periods, acne, excess hair, or trouble conceiving.12 tests Men over 40Men from age 40, alongside the yearly checkup.8 tests Fever for more than 2–3 daysOnly when your doctor advises; tests depend on symptoms and season.6 tests Planning a pregnancy3 months before trying to conceive.10 tests Pregnancy: first trimesterFirst antenatal visit, ideally before 12 weeks.15 tests Pregnancy: 11–14 weeksScreening for chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome.3 tests Pregnancy: second trimesterWeeks 15–28.5 tests Pregnancy: third trimesterWeeks 28 to delivery.4 tests

Blood count 10

Complete blood count (CBC)Counts your red cells, white cells and platelets, and measures haemoglobin. HemoglobinThe protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. White blood cellsThe cells that fight infection. PlateletsCell fragments that help blood clot. Red blood cellsThe number of oxygen-carrying red cells. Hematocrit (HCT/PCV)The share of your blood made up of red cells. MCVThe average size of your red cells. MCHThe average amount of haemoglobin in each red cell. MCHCHow concentrated haemoglobin is inside red cells. RDWHow much your red cells vary in size.

Diabetes 4

Fasting glucoseBlood sugar after not eating for at least 8 hours. Post-meal glucose (PPBS)Blood sugar 2 hours after a meal. HbA1cYour average blood sugar over the last 2–3 months. Fasting insulinInsulin level after fasting; used with glucose to estimate insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

Heart and cholesterol 10

Lipid profileTotal cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides and VLDL. Total cholesterolAll the cholesterol in your blood, good and bad. LDL cholesterolThe 'bad' cholesterol that builds up in artery walls. HDL cholesterolThe 'good' cholesterol that carries cholesterol away from arteries. TriglyceridesA type of fat in the blood, from food and made by the liver. VLDL cholesterolA particle carrying mostly triglycerides; usually calculated as triglycerides ÷ 5. Lipoprotein(a)An inherited cholesterol particle that raises heart risk. hs-CRPA sensitive measure of low-level inflammation. HomocysteineAn amino acid that rises when B12, folate or B6 is low. TroponinA protein released when heart muscle is damaged.

Liver 10

Liver function test (LFT)ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, total protein and albumin. ALT (SGPT)A liver enzyme released when liver cells are irritated or damaged. AST (SGOT)An enzyme found in the liver, heart and muscles. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)An enzyme from the liver, bile ducts and bones. GGTA liver enzyme sensitive to alcohol and bile duct problems. Bilirubin (total)A yellow pigment from the normal breakdown of red cells, cleared by the liver. Bilirubin (direct)Bilirubin the liver has already processed. AlbuminThe main protein made by the liver. Total proteinAlbumin plus globulins in the blood. GlobulinProteins that include antibodies.

Kidney and electrolytes 13

Kidney function test (KFT)Creatinine, urea or BUN, uric acid, eGFR and usually electrolytes. CreatinineA waste product from muscles, cleared by the kidneys. eGFRAn estimate of how much blood your kidneys filter each minute, worked out from… UreaA waste product from protein breakdown, cleared by the kidneys. BUNThe nitrogen part of urea (urea ≈ BUN × 2.14). Uric acidA waste product from purines in food and cells. Urine albumin (UACR)Small amounts of protein (albumin) leaking into urine. SodiumA salt that controls fluid balance. PotassiumA salt essential for heart rhythm and muscles. ChlorideA salt that moves with sodium. CalciumThe mineral for bones, nerves and muscles. PhosphorusA mineral that works with calcium in bones. MagnesiumA mineral needed for muscles, nerves and heart rhythm.

Thyroid 6

TSHThe brain's signal to the thyroid. It moves opposite to thyroid hormone. Free T4The active, unbound form of the main thyroid hormone. Free T3The most active thyroid hormone. T3 (total)Total T3 hormone, bound and free. T4 (total)Total thyroxine, bound and free. Anti-TPO antibodiesAntibodies against the thyroid gland.

Vitamins and iron 6

Vitamin DYour body's store of vitamin D, needed for bones, muscles and immunity. Vitamin B12A vitamin for nerves and red blood cells. Folate (folic acid)A B vitamin for new cells and red blood cells. Serum ironIron circulating in the blood. FerritinYour body's iron store. TIBCHow much iron your blood can carry.

Hormones 7

ProlactinThe hormone that makes breast milk. FSHA brain hormone that drives egg and sperm production. LHA brain hormone that triggers ovulation. AMHA hormone from small follicles in the ovaries; an estimate of egg reserve. TestosteroneThe main male hormone; women make small amounts. Estradiol (E2)The main female hormone. CortisolThe stress hormone from the adrenal glands.

Pregnancy 13

Glucose tolerance test (OGTT)Blood sugar before and after drinking a measured glucose drink (usually 75 g). Beta hCGThe pregnancy hormone made by the placenta. Blood group and RhYour ABO group and whether you are Rh positive or negative. Indirect Coombs test (ICT)Looks for antibodies in your blood that could attack the baby's red cells. Rubella IgGAntibodies showing you are immune to rubella (German measles). Rubella IgMAntibodies that show a recent rubella infection. Double marker testTwo blood markers (PAPP-A and free beta hCG) combined with the NT scan. Quadruple marker testFour blood markers (AFP, hCG, estriol, inhibin A). NIPTAnalyses the baby's DNA fragments in your blood. Dating and viability scanAn early ultrasound. NT scanAn ultrasound measuring fluid at the back of the baby's neck. Anomaly scanA detailed ultrasound of the baby's organs. Growth scan and DopplerAn ultrasound of the baby's size, fluid and blood flow.

Infections 7

Hepatitis B (HBsAg)Looks for hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis C (anti-HCV)Antibodies to hepatitis C virus. HIV testLooks for HIV antibodies and antigen. VDRL (syphilis)A screening test for syphilis. Dengue (NS1, IgM)NS1 detects the virus in the first days of fever; IgM antibodies appear after about 5… Malaria testA rapid antigen test or blood smear for malaria parasites. Typhoid testBlood culture (best) or antibody tests (Widal, Typhidot) for typhoid.

Inflammation and immunity 4

ESRHow fast red cells settle in a tube; a general marker of inflammation. CRPA protein the liver makes during inflammation or infection. Rheumatoid factor (RA)An antibody found in many people with rheumatoid arthritis. ANAAntibodies seen in autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

Urine and stool 3

Urine cultureGrows bacteria from urine and finds which antibiotics work. Urine routine (R/M)Looks at urine for sugar, protein, pus cells, blood and crystals. Stool routineLooks for infection, worms, hidden blood and digestion problems.

Cancer screening 3

PSAA protein made by the prostate. Pap smear / HPV testCells from the cervix checked for changes and HPV, the virus behind most cervical cancer. MammogramAn X-ray of the breasts.

Other 3

PT/INRHow long your blood takes to clot. D-dimerA fragment released when a clot breaks down. Amylase and lipaseEnzymes from the pancreas.

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