Blood tests help diagnose anemia, infection, diabetes and many other disorders. Doctors evaluate not just 1 but combination of multiple values, other clinical findings and patients health/history also to diagnose a problem. Normal range varies slightly in different pathlabs.
ALBUM
Albumin: Major protein found in blood, produced by liver from amino acids taken through diet.
Normal Range: 3.5 - 5.0 gm/ dL
If low then it may indicate:
a) Liver disease (liver enzyme tests are prescribed to determine exactly which type of liver disease).
b) Low albumin levels may also be seen in inflammation (body response to injury such as trauma or infection, shock and malnutrition).
If high it may indicate: Dehydration (although the test is not for detecting this condition).
Precautions/Comments:
a) Consumption of intravenous fluids (drips) may result in inaccuracy of this test.
b) Albumin may be decreased during pregnancy.
c) Certain drugs increase albumin in the blood, including anabolic steroids, androgens, growth hormones & insulin.
d) Low levels of albumin occur in malnutrition, diarrhea, fever, infection, liver disease, inadequate iron intake.
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CHOLESTEROL- HDL
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL): The good cholesterol is called HDL. It helps clean LDL inside arteries. Men usually have lower HDL than women. Lean or athletic people usually have more HDL.
Normal Range:
Less than 35 mg/ dL (Risky)
35 - 60 mg/ dL (OK)
More than 60 mg/ dL (Best/Optimal)
If low then it may indicate:
a) Poor diet, especially if high on carbohydrates food and smoking/alcohol effects.
b) Overweight and uncontrolled diabetes (high blood glucose levels).
c) Side Effect of some medication.
Precautions/Comments: Exercise daily and include fruits in your meals. Focus on excess weight (fat) reduction. Smokers should stop smoking to increase HDL cholesterol levels.
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CHOLESTEROL- LDL
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL): The bad cholesterol is called LDL. It tends to block the arteries.
Normal Range :
Less than 100 mg/ dL (Best/Optimal)
100 - 130 mg/ dL (Near optimal level. OK)
130 - 160 mg/ dL (Risky)
More than 160 mg/ dL (Very Risky)
If low then it may indicate: Regular functioning of body is hampered if it is low, even if the HDL count is high.
If high then it may indicate: Obesity(overweight), blockage in arteries or if abnormally high, a heart/cardiac problem.
Precautions/Comments: Diet should include lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains. Start exercising regularly and if obese, try bringing down your weight to normal levels.
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CHOLESTEROL- TOTAL
Serum/Total Cholesterol: It is a waxy substance produced in liver or intestines to protect nerves, make cell tissues and produce certain hormones. Cholesterol "within limits" is good for our body.
Normal Range:
151 - 200 mg/ dL (Desirable)
200 - 240 mg/ dL (Borderline Risk)
Greater than 240 mg/ dL (High Risk)
If low then it may indicate:
a) Malnutrition (lack of proper nutrition in body).
b) Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) and liver disease.
c) Insufficient absorption of nutrients from intestines.
If high then it may indicate: Above 200 mg/ dL is usually associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease, blocked arteries.
Precautions/Comments:
a) There are 2 types of Cholesterol: High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) & Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL).
b) Decrease ghee/ butter in your diet. Excercise regularly, keep a check on your weight, eat more fruits and vegetables.
c) People who are overweight or have family history of heart attacks must get annual health check up done. Do not smoke or take any other forms of tobacco.
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CREATININE
Creatinine: Produced at a constant rate by the body. About 2 to 2.5 gm is needed daily to support muscle activity. It is filtered out of blood by kidneys. If kidneys are not filtering properly, creatinine levels rise in blood. Hence, creatinine is used to gauge proper functioning of kidneys also. Elderly people may have a lower creatinine level, as their muscle mass tends to decrease with age.
Normal Range:
a) Adult Male : 0.6 - 1.2 mg/ dL
b) Adult Female: 0.5 - 1.1 mg/ dL
Abnormal results may indicate:
a) Dehydration, weight loss or weakening of muscles.
b) Kidney Problem: Kidneys may get gradually damaged by chronic(long term) raised blood pressure or diabetes.
c) Pregnancy-induced hypertension.
d) Urinary tract infection or Urinary tract obstruction (obstruction to urinary flow).
Precautions/Comments:
Drink as much water as possible and frequent urination helps lower creatinine levels.
High blood creatinine levels in diabetic people are generally a sign of poor kidney function. Consult a doctor to develop a personalised diet that is low on protein.
Ensure you are not obese(fat) and keep your blood pressure under control.
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DLC
Differencial Percentage Leukocyte Counts (DLC): Percentages of different types of WBC(White Blood Cells).
Segmented Neutrophils: Most common WBC and fight infections. Normal Range: 40 - 80 %.
Lymphocytes: Responsible for immune response & regulation of antibody production. Normal Range: 20 - 40 %
Monocytes: Cell that sometimes ingest/digest foreign particles like bacteria, carbon, dust. Normal Range: 2 - 10 %.
Eosinophils: Cell that sometimes ingest/digest foreign particles like bacteria, carbon, dust. Normal Range: 1 - 6 %.
Basophils: Control inflammation & damage to body. Normal Range: Less than 2%. (This is a dynamic set of parameters that varies from day to day depending on what is going on in the body).
If low then it may indicate:
a) Segmented Neutrophils decrease is usually associated with decrease in all WBC.
b) Lymphocyte decrease may be an indication of a viral infection.
If high then it may indicate: Significant increase in particular types are associated with different temporary/ acute or chronic conditions:
Segmented Neutrophils may increase during bacterial or fungal infections.
Lymphocytes may increase in some inflammatory disease.
Eosinophils may increase during allergic attacks & some parasitic infestations causing chronic fungal infection, severe flea, hookworm or heatworm infestation.
Basophils may increase in some blood diseases and poisoning.
Long-term use of steroids or long-term exposure to toxic chemicals (such as dye or insecticides). Monocytes increase may be seen when suffering from severe stress, chronic stomach infection or abscess.
Precautions/Comments: Advised proper diet, regular exercise and non-stressful life.
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ESR- WESTERGREN
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): Measures the degree of inflammation in the body.
Normal Range : Adults (Westergren Method):
Men below 50 years : 0 - 15 mm/ hr
Women below 50 years : 0 - 20 mm/ hr
Men above 50 years : 0 - 20 mm/ hr
Women above 50 years : 0 - 25 mm/ hr
If low, it may indicate: Sickle cell anemia, blood hyperviscosity or low plasma protein (due to liver or kidney disease).
If high, it may indicate: Infection in the body. In rare cases, it may be an indication of an autoimmune disorder, Thyroid disease or TB.
Precautions/Comments: ESR level is usually also high during pregnancy. Slight increase in level can also be due to fever or viral infestation. So do not panic seeing a high ESR value but take precautions. ESR is interpreted by physician along with other symptoms.
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GLUCOSE (FASTING)
Blood Sugar (Glucose): It is the main fuel that body uses to produce energy. Insulin, a hormone produced by pancreas, helps maintain normal blood sugar levels. Glucose test is used to determine amount of glucose in blood.
Normal Range: After few hours of fasting...
a) 70 - 100 mg/ dL (Normal)
b) 101 - 125 mg/ dL (Possibly Prediabetic)
c) 126+ mg/ dL (High Risk of Diabetes)
If low then may indicate:
a) Lethargy, trembling, anxiety and sweating.
b) Impaired decision making, palpitations.
c) Low blood sugar is dangerous compared to temporary high blood sugar.
If high then it may indicate:
a) Low appetite for hunger.
b) Indication of prediabetic and diabetic conditions.
c) Severe stress, surgery or illness may temporarily increase blood sugar level.
Precautions/Comments: Eat regular meals and drink sugar free liquids. Check blood sugar readings regularly using a glucose meter. This test value is mainly used to screen any prediabetes or diabetes symptoms.
HEMOGLOBIN
Hemoglobin: Oxygen-carrying protein within RBC(Red Blood Cells). Carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of our body.
Normal Range:
Adult Male: 13 - 18 g/ dL
Adult Female: 12 - 16 g/ dL
Children: 11 - 16 g/ dL
Pregnant Women: At least 11 g/ dL
If low then it may indicate:
a) Anemia (sickle cell anemia).
b) Nutritional deficiency (iron, vitamin B12, foliate or folic acid).
c) Loss of blood due to injury, heavy periods or certain medicines.
d) Worm infestation (Presence of worms in stomach).
e) Continuous drop in hemoglobin may indicate hemolysis (accelerated breakdown of red blood cells).
If high then it may indicate:
a) Exposure to smoking, high altitudes and dehydration can also lead to high hemoglobin level.
b) In rare cases, it may be an indication of a tumour or disorder of bone marrow.
c) Abnormally high values can lead to emphysema(a disease of the lungs that can make breathing difficult).
Precautions/Comments:
Include iron sources in your food such as fish, green leafy vegetables, eggs, nuts, iron fortified cereal etc.
Vitamin C and citrus fruits help in better absorption of iron.
Reduce tea/coffee as they contain polyphenols- which binds with iron and makes it difficult for body to absorb.
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MCV, MCH, MCHC
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV):
a) Average volume of an individual red blood cell.
b) Normal Range : 80 - 100 fL
Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH):
a) Average amount of haemoglobin in an average red blood cell.
b) Normal Range: 27 - 32 pg
Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC):
a) Average haemoglobin concentration per unit volume of packed cell volume.
b) Normal Range: 32 - 35 g/ dL
If low then it may indicate:
a) Copper deficiency if MCV is low.
b) Lead poisoning (from lead based paints, contaminated soil, water with high lead content, stained glass, ink etc).
c) Rheumatoid Arthritis (usually found in 40+ age group. 3 times higher probability in women than men).
If high then it may indicate:
a) Nutritional deficiency (Vitamin B12 deficiency, Folateor folic acid).
b) Iron deficiency or liver diseases.
c) Hemolytic anemia.
Precautions/Comments:
a) Vegetarians usually do not get sufficient B-12 consumption as its rich sources are fish, red meat & eggs. But nuts (almond, cashew etc), can fulfil the required amount.
b) Vitamin supplements can be consumed to overcome B12 & folate deficiency after consulting doctor.
c) Reducing alcohol consumption helps in lowering MCV value.
d) The results of MCV, MCH & MCHC tests are generally used to determine the type & severity of anemia.
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PCV
Packed Cell Volume (PCV): Percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells.
Normal Range:
a) Adult Male : 40 - 50 %
b) Adult Female : 37 - 48 %
If low then it may indicate:
a) Anemia or nutritional deficiency.
b) Loss of blood due to injury, heavy periods.
c) Rheumatoid Arthritis (found in elderly people).
If high then it may indicate:
a) Dehydration or dengue fever.
b) Polycythaemia Vera - Bone marrow produces excessive red blood cells.
Precautions/Comments:
a) Pregnancy usually causes a slightly decreased PCV due to extra fluid in blood. Do not panic.
b) Growing children should take iron rich food.
c) PCV value is directly related to RBC count and hemoglobin. So a rich iron diet helps to increase PCV if hemoglobin is below normal.
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PLATELET COUNT
Platelet Count:
Number of platelets (blood clotting agent) in a specified volume of blood. Platelet count is required if malaria or dengue is diagnosed.
Platelets stop blood loss & help heal wounds. They aggregate & release factors to promote blood coagulation.
Lifespan of circulating platelets is 5 to 9 days. Billions/crores of platelets are produced in our body everyday. Reserve platelets are stored in the spleen & released when needed.
Normal Range: 150,000 - 450,000 per micro litre or 150 - 450 thousand/ ml
If low then it may indicate: Some inherited disorders, Viral infection, Dengue or kidney disorder. If too low, excessive bleeding may occur.
If high then it may indicate:
a) Thrombocythemia (condition in which faulty stem cells in bone marrow make too many platelets).
b) Polycythemia Vera (too many red blood cells).
c) Anemia (too few red blood cells).
d) High platelet count blocks blood vessels which may cause a heart attack.
Precautions/Comments:
a) Unlike blood transfusion, platelets matching takes time. They are not cross matched unless they appear reddish-orange which signifies presence of large number of RBC. They have a short life and must be tested before transfusion. Tested platelet transfusion is given if platelet count is very low.
b) Eat food rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, zinc & omega 3 fatty acids.
c) If too low, then one must ensure no cuts/ wounds happen to avoid excessive bleeding.
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PROTEIN, TOTAL
Protein, Total: Determines how well liver, kidneys are working and whether your diet contains enough protein.
Normal Range: 6.6 to 8.5 gm/ dL
Abnormal value may indicate:
a) Malnutrition and malabsorption (insufficient intake of proteins).
b) Acute infection or liver disease.
c) Total protein measurement may be increased during pregnancy.
Precautions/Comments:
a) High-protein diet does not cause high blood protein.
b) Measures total amount of protein in blood. It is a way to differentiate between normal & abnormal liver function. It also determines the cause of swelling of ankles.
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RBC
Red Blood Cell (RBC): Count of red blood cells (RBC) present per cubic millimeter blood. It is the most common cell in our body that carries oxygen from lungs to all parts of the body.
Normal Range: 4.5 to 6.0 million/ ml
If low then it may indicate:
a) Malnutrition (lack of proper nutrition in the body).
b) Anemia due to iron deficiency.
c) Hemolysis (RBC destruction due to blood transfusion, blood vessel injury or other causes).
d) Haemorrhage (bleeding, blood loss).
If high then it may indicate:
a) Chain smoking habit.
b) Polycythaemia Vera - Bone marrow produces excessive RBC.
c) Low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia) or dehydration.
Precautions/Comments:
a) RBC count increases at high altitudes and after strenuous exercises.
b) Regular exercise and rich iron diet can help.
c) Some antibiotics or drugs to lower Blood Pressure increases RBC count (Take prescribed drugs only when prescribed by a doctor).
d) Reduced smoking helps bring down abnormal increase of RBC.
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RDW
Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Measures size variability of red blood cell population.
Normal Range: 11.5 - 14.5 %
If low then it may indicate:
a) Macrocytic anemia (not enough red blood cells are produced, but the ones that are present are large).
b) Microcytic anemia (abnormally small red blood cells).
Note: In these two disorders, the red blood cells do not vary much in size because they are either all small or all large. This is what causes the RDW level to be low.
If high then it may indicate:
To determine the possible cause of a high RDW level, a comparison is made with the mean corpuscular volume:
a) If both RDW & MCV levels are high: may indicate liver disease, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency, hemolytic anemia (in this the red blood cells are destroyed earlier than they should be).
b) If RDW level is high but MCV level is low: may indicate iron deficiency anemia, Thalessemia intermedia.
c) If RDW level is high but MCV level is normal: indicates beginning deficiency of B12, folic acid and iron.
d) Normal RDW & low MCV may be indicative of Thalassemia.
e) Normal RDW & high MCV may indicate aplastic anemia.
Precautions/Comments: Eat iron rich food, green vegetables and avoid junk food.
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SGOT, SGPT
Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT): Plays a role in processing proteins. If the liver is not functioning properly, levels may rise.
Normal Range:
a) Male : 10 - 40 IU/ L
b) Female: 8 - 35 IU/ L
If high then it may indicate:
a) Higher levels due to intake of some medication. Tell your doctor about any medicine you are consuming.
b) SGPT level may also be elevated if you consume too much alcohol.
c) Liver damage or Gallbladder disease.
d) May also be due to congestive heart disease or pancreatic problem.
Precautions/Comments: Avoid large meals, particularly those high in fat. Also avoid strenuous physical activity, smoking or heavy intake of alcohol.
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TLC/ WBC COUNT
Total Leucocyte Count (TLC) White Blood Cell Count(WBC):
a) Indicates number of white blood cells in a specified volume of blood (micro litre).
b) Primary function of WBC- Fighting bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections.
Normal Range: 4,000 - 10,000/ micro litre (ml) or 4 -10 thousand/ ml
If low then it may indicate:
a) Presence of autoimmune conditions (where immune system becomes self destructive).
b) Some severe infection (prolonged diseases).
c) Disease of the liver or spleen.
d) Extreme cases only: Usually person undergoing chemotherapy or some radiation therapy may have low value.
If high then it may indicate: Bacterial infections or inflammation.
Precautions/Comments:
a) People who have had their spleen removed (splenectomy) will always have slightly higher number of WBC.
b) Consume good bacteria like yoghurt as it increases WBC count and stimulates immunity cells in gastrointestinal tract.
c) Switch to green tea as it helps perk up lymphocyte responses & reduce inflammatory effects.
d) This parameter also helps diagnose any acute or chronic infection.
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TOTAL BILIRUBIN
Total Bilirubin: Used to gauge liver functioning. Responsible for yellow color of urine and yellow discoloration of eyes in jaundice.
Normal Range: 0.00-1.00 mg/ dL
If low then it may indicate: Low bilirubin level is generally not a concern.
If high then it may indicate:
a) Jaundice - may be noticeable in white portion of eyes at levels of about 2 to 3 mg/ dL & in skin at higher levels.
b) Mild rise may be due to Hemolysis or increased breakdown of red blood cells.
c) Some inherited diseases, such as Gilbert's Syndrome, a condition that affects how liver processes bilirubin. Although jaundice may occur in some people with Gilbert's syndrome, this condition is not harmful in most cases.
d) Diseases that cause liver damage, such as hepatitis.
e) Some antibiotics, birth control pills and medicines may also increase bilirubin levels.
Precautions/Comments: Anti-viral medications, abstinence from alcohol and good nutrition is advised.
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TRIGLYCERIDES
Triglycerides: Converts alcohol, sugar, fat from food we eat and stores them in the fat cells.
Normal Range: After about 10 hours of fasting
a) Less than 150 mg/ dL (Desirable)
b) 150-200 mg/ dL (Borderline Risk)
c) 201-500 mg/ dL (High Risk)
d) More than 500 mg/ dL (Very High Risk)
If low then it may indicate:
a) Malnutrition or heavy on low fat.
b) Mal-absorption Syndrome (difficulty digesting or absorbing nutrients from food).
c) Hyperthyroidism (condition in which thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone).
If high then it may indicate:
a) Hardening of arteries, risk of heart attack or diabetes.
b) Consumption of high fat foods or obesity.
c) Alcohol intake or medication side effects (birth control pills, steroids).
Precautions/Comments:
a) Avoid junk food. Decrease ghee/ butter in your diet.
b) Omega-3 fatty acids, Flax seeds should be taken.
c) Exercise and avoid smoking/ tobacco. Restrict breads, cakes & other fatty confectionaries.
d) Triglycerides may temporarily be higher for a short duration after eating heavy meals.
