Medical Glossary
Understanding Your Lab Results
Plain-language explanations of common blood test parameters, reference ranges for men, women, and children, and what abnormal values mean for your health.
Showing all 46 terms
Hemoglobin (Hb)
Oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
g/dLBlood CountHematocrit (HCT)
Percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells.
%Blood CountRed Blood Cell Count (RBC)
Total number of red blood cells per unit of blood.
million/µLBlood CountWhite Blood Cell Count (WBC)
Total number of immune cells fighting infection in your blood.
thousand/µLBlood CountPlatelet Count
Tiny blood cells that help your blood clot to stop bleeding.
thousand/µLBlood CountMean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
Average size of your red blood cells.
fLBlood CountMean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
Average amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell.
pgBlood CountMean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
Concentration of hemoglobin within red blood cells.
g/dLChemistryBlood Glucose (Random)
Sugar level in your blood at any given time.
mg/dLChemistryFasting Blood Glucose (FBS)
Blood sugar measured after 8–12 hours of fasting.
mg/dLChemistryHbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin)
Average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months.
%ChemistryTotal Cholesterol
Total amount of cholesterol in your blood.
mg/dLChemistryLDL Cholesterol
"Bad" cholesterol that can clog arteries.
mg/dLChemistryHDL Cholesterol
"Good" cholesterol that protects arteries.
mg/dLChemistryTriglycerides
Main type of fat stored in the body from food.
mg/dLChemistrySerum Creatinine
Waste product filtered by kidneys — indicates kidney function.
mg/dLChemistryBlood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Waste from protein breakdown — another kidney function marker.
mg/dLChemistryEstimated GFR (eGFR)
Best overall measure of how well your kidneys filter waste.
mL/min/1.73m²ChemistryUric Acid
Waste product from purine breakdown — linked to gout.
mg/dLChemistryBilirubin (Total)
Yellow pigment from red blood cell breakdown — liver health indicator.
mg/dLChemistrySerum Albumin
Main protein in blood — reflects liver and nutrition status.
g/dLChemistryTotal Protein
Combined albumin and globulin levels in blood.
g/dLLiverALT (SGPT)
Liver enzyme — most specific marker for liver damage.
U/LLiverAST (SGOT)
Enzyme found in liver, heart, and muscles.
U/LLiverAlkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Enzyme from liver and bones — elevated in bile duct or bone disorders.
U/LLiverGGT (Gamma-GT)
Liver enzyme sensitive to alcohol and bile duct issues.
U/LThyroidTSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
Master switch that controls thyroid gland activity.
mIU/LThyroidT3 (Triiodothyronine)
Active thyroid hormone that drives metabolism.
ng/dLThyroidT4 (Thyroxine)
Main hormone produced by the thyroid gland.
µg/dLThyroidFree T4 (Free Thyroxine)
Unbound, active portion of T4 available to your body.
ng/dLElectrolytesSodium (Na)
Key electrolyte controlling fluid balance and nerve function.
mEq/LElectrolytesPotassium (K)
Critical electrolyte for heart rhythm and muscle function.
mEq/LElectrolytesChloride (Cl)
Electrolyte that maintains fluid balance and acid-base status.
mEq/LElectrolytesCalcium (Ca)
Essential for bones, muscles, nerves, and blood clotting.
mg/dLElectrolytesMagnesium (Mg)
Essential mineral for muscles, nerves, and over 300 enzyme reactions.
mg/dLElectrolytesPhosphorus (Phosphate)
Mineral essential for bones, energy production, and DNA.
mg/dLIron StudiesSerum Iron
Amount of iron circulating in your blood.
µg/dLIron StudiesFerritin
Protein that stores iron — best indicator of iron reserves.
ng/mLIron StudiesTIBC (Total Iron-Binding Capacity)
Measures blood's capacity to transport iron — high when iron is low.
µg/dLVitaminsVitamin D (25-Hydroxy)
Sunshine vitamin — essential for bones, immunity, and mood.
ng/mLVitaminsVitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vital for nerves, DNA, and red blood cell production.
pg/mLVitaminsFolate (Vitamin B9)
Essential for cell division, DNA repair, and fetal development.
ng/mLInflammationC-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Blood marker that rises with inflammation or infection.
mg/LInflammationESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)
Non-specific marker of inflammation — how fast red cells settle.
mm/hrCardiacTroponin (T or I)
Protein released when heart muscle is damaged — key heart attack marker.
ng/mLCardiacBNP / NT-proBNP
Hormone released when the heart is stretched or strained.
pg/mLGet Your Report Analyzed
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