Lab Test Reference Guide

Learn about common lab tests: what they measure, normal ranges, and what results mean. All information referenced from authoritative medical sources.

50 tests documented

Lipids

LDL Cholesterol

LDL cholesterol is a type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol to cells throughout your body. It ...

Also: LDL-C, Low-Density Lipoprotein

HDL Cholesterol

HDL cholesterol is often called "good" cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholestero...

Also: HDL-C, High-Density Lipoprotein

Total Cholesterol

Total cholesterol is the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood, including LDL (bad), HDL (good...

Also: TC, Serum Cholesterol

VLDL Cholesterol

VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) is a type of lipoprotein made by the liver that carries triglyce...

Also: VLDL-C, Very Low-Density Lipoprotein

ApoB

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is the main protein found in LDL and VLDL particles. Each atherogenic partic...

Also: Apolipoprotein B, Apo B

Lipoprotein(a)

Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a type of LDL particle with an additional protein called apolipoprotein...

Also: Lp(a), Lipoprotein Little A

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood. When you eat, your body converts calori...

Also: TG, Triacylglycerol

Glucose

Hemoglobin A1c

The A1C test measures the percentage of hemoglobin proteins in your blood that are coated with sugar...

Also: HbA1c, A1C

Glucose

A blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. Glucose is the main sourc...

Also: Blood Sugar, Fasting Blood Sugar

Thyroid

TSH

TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that tells the thyroi...

Also: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Thyrotropin

Free T4

Free T4 is the unbound, active form of thyroxine. It is the main hormone produced by the thyroid gla...

Also: FT4, Free Thyroxine

Free T3

Free T3 is the unbound, active form of triiodothyronine. T3 is the more active thyroid hormone, conv...

Also: FT3, Free Triiodothyronine

T4

Total T4 measures all thyroxine in the blood, both bound to proteins and free. It reflects overall t...

Also: Total T4, Thyroxine

T3

Total T3 measures all triiodothyronine in the blood. T3 is the more active thyroid hormone and affec...

Also: Total T3, Triiodothyronine

CBC

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your b...

Also: Hgb, Hb

Red Blood Cell Count

Red blood cells (RBCs) carry oxygen from your lungs to every cell in your body and return carbon dio...

Also: RBC, Erythrocyte Count

White Blood Cell Count

White blood cells (WBCs) are part of the immune system and help fight infections and disease. The WB...

Also: WBC, Leukocyte Count

Platelet Count

Platelets are small blood cell fragments that help blood clot to stop bleeding. The platelet count m...

Also: PLT, Thrombocyte Count

Hematocrit

Hematocrit is the percentage of your blood that is made up of red blood cells. It reflects the propo...

Also: Hct, HCT

MCV

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) measures the average size of your red blood cells. It helps classify t...

Also: Mean Corpuscular Volume, Mean Cell Volume

MCH

MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin) measures the average amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell. ...

Also: Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin

RDW

RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width) measures the variation in size of your red blood cells. Higher val...

Also: Red Cell Distribution Width, RDW-CV

Kidney

Creatinine

Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscles during normal activity. Healthy kidneys filter cre...

Also: Serum Creatinine, Blood Creatinine

BUN

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood from urea, a waste product c...

Also: Blood Urea Nitrogen, Urea Nitrogen

eGFR

eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) estimates how well your kidneys filter waste from your b...

Also: Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, GFR

Uric Acid

Uric acid is a waste product created when the body breaks down purines found in certain foods and dr...

Also: Serum Uric Acid, Urate

Liver

ALT

ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver. When liver cells are damaged,...

Also: Alanine Aminotransferase, SGPT

AST

AST (aspartate aminotransferase) is an enzyme found in the liver, heart, muscles, and other tissues....

Also: Aspartate Aminotransferase, SGOT

Alkaline Phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in the liver, bones, kidneys, and digestive system. It...

Also: ALP, Alk Phos

Total Bilirubin

Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down. The liver processes bilirubi...

Also: Bilirubin, TBIL

GGT

GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver. It is particularly sensitiv...

Also: Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase, Gamma-GT

Albumin

Albumin is a protein made by the liver that keeps fluid from leaking out of blood vessels, transport...

Also: Serum Albumin, ALB

Vitamins

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium and maintain strong bones. Your body make...

Also: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve function, red blood cell formation, and DNA synthesis. It is foun...

Also: Cobalamin, B12

Folate

Folate (vitamin B9) is essential for cell division, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation. It ...

Also: Folic Acid, Vitamin B9

Cardiac

BNP

BNP is a hormone released by the heart in response to increased pressure and stretching. It helps re...

Also: B-Type Natriuretic Peptide, Brain Natriuretic Peptide

Troponin

Troponin is a protein released when heart muscle is damaged. It is the most specific marker for hear...

Also: Cardiac Troponin, Troponin I

Homocysteine

Homocysteine is an amino acid in the blood. High levels are associated with increased risk of heart ...

Also: Hcy, Total Homocysteine

Electrolytes

Sodium

Sodium is an essential electrolyte that regulates fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve and muscl...

Also: Na, Serum Sodium

Potassium

Potassium is an essential electrolyte that regulates heart rhythm, muscle contractions, and nerve si...

Also: K, Serum Potassium

Calcium

Calcium is essential for strong bones, muscle function, nerve signaling, and blood clotting. Most ca...

Also: Ca, Serum Calcium

Magnesium

Magnesium is essential for muscle and nerve function, blood sugar control, blood pressure regulation...

Also: Mg, Serum Magnesium

Hormones

Testosterone

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, important for muscle mass, bone density, libido, and m...

Also: Total Testosterone, Serum Testosterone

Cortisol

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It regulates metabolism, immune respons...

Also: Serum Cortisol, Hydrocortisone

Fasting Insulin

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows cells to use glucose for energy. It regula...

Also: Insulin, Serum Insulin

Inflammation

CRP

CRP (C-reactive protein) is a substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation. It is a m...

Also: C-Reactive Protein

hs-CRP

High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) measures very low levels of CRP to assess cardiovascular inflammation....

Also: High-Sensitivity CRP, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

ESR

ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a ...

Also: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, Sed Rate

Iron

Iron is an essential mineral that helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. It is also...

Also: Serum Iron, Fe

Ferritin

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body. It is the best indicator of total body iron sto...

Also: Serum Ferritin

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for interpretation of test results and medical decisions.

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