You've had your blood test results. The doctor tells you it's normal. But are you sure that means nothing is wrong?

When you get blood results, there is always a section of results listed in the code. What does the code mean, and how much does it contribute to understanding your results?

The terminology in blood test results is quite complex. The on-site laboratory, a test center provided by a hospital, or a doctor's office, might use terminology that the patient or tester is not familiar with.

Here is a quick guide to the meaning of some frequently seen terms.

What is a Blood Test?

A blood test is a common medical procedure in which blood is drawn from a patient and placed in a test tube or other container for analysis. Anemia, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cholesterol, kidney and liver function, and even hormonal imbalances can all be detected through blood tests. If you want to test your blood, visit this lab tests and screenings page for more info on the procedure.

Blood Test Abbreviations

Decoding your blood test results can be difficult, as can understanding the lingo used to break down lab test abbreviations. For example, CBC stands for complete blood count, which is a type of test used by doctors to ensure that all of the components in someone's blood, such as red blood cell count and white blood cell count, are working properly. 

Additionally, Creatinine is a waste product found in the blood and urine. It is usually used to measure how well the kidneys are working.

Furthermore, SGOT and SGPT are liver-function tests used to check for damage and infection in the liver. While AST stands for aspartate aminotransferase, and ALT stands for alanine aminotransferase.

Reading Blood Test Results

It is important to learn how to read blood test results to truly understand your results and health. Common terms when reviewing results from a blood test include IgG, CBC, ANA, BNP, KFT, CFR, and more.

IgG, an immunoglobulin that helps with the body's defenses, requires specific levels for the body to function optimally. CBC, or complete blood count, helps determine blood cell counts and focuses on conditions like anemia. Furthermore, ANA and BNP are used for autoimmune conditions, and KFT/CFR, which stands for kidney function test/creatine clearance rate, are used to identify issues such as kidney disease.

Analyzing Blood Test Values

To decode your blood test results, start by understanding the range of normal values for each test. Normal values for each individual test vary, as does the range for men and women.

Then, become familiar with abbreviations and terms like BUN, ESR, ALAT, and other common values. These indicate different levels of certain elements in the body, like red and white blood cells, glucose levels, and kidney function.

After that, understand how test values can be interpreted. Values that are lower than normal may indicate a deficiency or disease, while higher than normal values may signify inflammation, infection, and other issues. Knowing how to interpret blood test results can help you make the most informed health decisions.

Learn to Decode Your Blood Test Results

Learning to decode your blood test results is essential to understanding how well your body is functioning. If you have concerns about any of your results, do not hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for a more detailed explanation.

Taking responsibility for your health can help you take proactive measures to improve it. Start decoding your blood test results today!

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