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LAB RESULTS
Tips about lab results
- To access your results in a timely way, you are strongly encouraged to register for MyChart where you will be able to see any lab or radiology studies.
- Remember: “No news is good news” can be a fatal assumption......so if you don't hear about your results within 4 weeks, PLEASE CALL. It is always best to check on this especially if you are concerned.
- Advice about preparation for having screening blood testing done:
- You should be fasting for 10 hours before blood is drawn to give you "true" readings for cholesterol levels (lipid profile) or if a fasting blood sugar is needed to rule out diabetes. Drink as much water as you want and take your usual medications.
- Avoid heavy exercise for 24 hours before lab work. This can cause elevation in certain muscle and liver enzyme levels and thereby avoiding unnecessary repeating of studies and further work up. The same is suggested for alcohol and excessive Tylenol / acetoaminophen use which can elevate liver enzymes. In men sexual activity can also raise PSA levels.
- If additional testing is needed, never ever accept the phrase, “we’ll only contact you if the results are bad.” What if a doctor never sees the results because of misfiled paperwork or a laboratory mix-up? What if a doctor and/or their office never got the results and never contacted you? You were told not to worry unless someone called. So who pays the ultimate price for this oversight? You do.
- It must be re-emphasized that no news means no news. The news could be good or bad, and you won’t know unless you are contacted with the results. So, if any additional testing is needed, you should always expect to get the results. They can be communicated to you through a simple letter or phone call from the office staff. Call our office if you don’t hear from us in a reasonable amount of time. It is always better to double check and be safe than sorry.
What does that blood test mean?
CBC or complete blood count checks your white cells, red cells and platelets. This test is helpful to establish whether you have an infection or are anemic.
C8, Chem 8 or basic metabolic profile checks your kidney (renal) function: BUN, creatinine and estimated GFR/glomerular filtration rate; electrolytes: Na/sodium, K/potassium, Cl/chloride, bicarbonate; calcium and sugar (glucose)
Lipid or cholesterol profile measures and breaks down the cholesterol into total, HDL (good), LDL (bad), triglyceride level and risk ratio. Ideally you should be fasting for this test.
Hepatic panel, LFT or liver function tests checks your bilirubin (for jaundice) and enzyme levels
TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone checks your thyroid gland for under/hypo or over activity/hyper.
ESR or erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a nonspecific test and may be helpful in determining whether you have an infection or inflammation
CRP or C reactive protein is also a marker for inflammation
Uric acid determines whether you are at risk for gout PSA or prostate specific antigen is a test which may in some be helpful in screening for prostate cancer
HgbA1C, hemoglobin A1c or glycohemoglobin level is a measure of your average daily blood glucose/sugar over the past 8 weeks. No fasting is necessary for this test.
More details.......
Glucose: This is the chief source of energy for all living organisms. A level greater than 110 in someone who has fasted for 12 hours suggests a diabetic tendency. The strict definition of diabetes which is a level greater than 125.
Sodium: This element plays an important role in salt and water balance in your body. A low level in the blood can be caused by too much water intake, heart failure, or kidney failure. A low level can also be caused by loss of sodium in diarrhea, fluid or vomiting. A high level can be caused by too much intake of salt or by not enough intake of water.
Potassium and Magnesium: These elements are found primarily inside the cells of the body. Low levels in the blood may indicate severe diarrhea, alcoholism, or excessive use of water pills. A very low level of magnesium in the blood can cause your muscles to tremble. Low potassium levels can cause muscle weakness and heart problems.
Chloride: Is an electrolyte controlled by the kidneys and can sometimes be affected by diet. An electrolyte is involved in maintaining acid-base balance and helps to regulate blood volume and artery pressure. Elevated levels are related to acidosis as well as too much water crossing the cell membrane.
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): BUN is a waste product derived from protein breakdown in the liver. Increases can be caused by excessive protein intake, kidney damage, certain drugs, low fluid intake, intestinal bleeding, exercise, heart failure or decreased digestive enzyme production by the pancreas. Decreased levels are most commonly due to inadequate protein intake, malabsorption, or liver damage.
Creatinine: Creatinine is also a protein breakdown product. Its level is a reflection of the bodies muscle mass. Low levels are commonly seen in inadequate protein intake, liver disease, kidney damage or pregnancy. Elevated levels are generally reflective of kidney damage and need to be monitored very carefully.
Uric Acid: Uric acid is the end product purine metabolism. High levels are seen in gout, infections, high protein diets, and kidney disease. Low levels generally indicate protein and molybdenum (trace mineral) deficiency, liver damage or an overly acid kidney.
Phosphate: Phosphate is closely associated with calcium in bone development. Therefore most of the phosphate in the body is found in the bones. But the phosphate level in the blood is very important for muscle and nerve function. Very low levels of phosphate in the blood can be associated with starvation or malnutrition and this can lead to muscle weakness. High levels in the blood are usually associated with kidney disease. However the blood must be drawn carefully as improper handling may falsely increase the reading.
Calcium: Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is involved in bone metabolism, protein absorption, fat transfer, muscular contraction, transmission of nerve impulses, blood clotting, and heart function. It is highly sensitive to elements such as magnesium, iron, and phosphorous as well as hormonal activity, vitamin D levels, CO2 levels and many drugs. Diet, or even the presence of calcium in the diet has a lot to do with "calcium balance" - how much calcium you take in and how much you lose from your body.
Albumin: The most abundant protein in the blood, it is made in the liver and is an antioxidant that protects your tissues from free radicals. It binds waste products, toxins and dangerous drugs that might damage the body. Is also is a major buffer in the body and plays a role in controlling the precise amount of water in our tissues. It serves to transport vitamins, minerals and hormones. The higher this number is, the better. The highest one can reasonably expect would be 5.5.
Alkaline Phosphatase: Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that is found in all body tissue, but the most important sites are bone, liver, bile ducts and the gut. A high level of alkaline phosphatase in your blood may indicate bone, liver or bile duct disease. Certain drugs may also cause high levels. Growing children, because of bone growth, normally have a higher level than adults do. Low levels indicate low functioning adrenal glands, protein deficiency, malnutrition or more commonly, a deficiency in zinc.
Transaminases (SGTP) & (SGOT): These are enzymes that are primarily found in the liver. Drinking too much alcohol, certain drugs, liver disease and bile duct disease can cause high levels in the blood. Hepatitis is another problem that can raise these levels. Low levels of GGTP may indicate a magnesium deficiency. Low levels of SGPT and SGOT may indicate deficiency of vitamin B6.
Gamma-Glutamyltranserase (GGTP): Believed to be involved in the transport of amino acids into cells as well as glutathione metabolism. Found in the liver and will rise with alcohol use, liver disease, or excess magnesium. Decreased levels can be found in hypothyroidism and more commonly decreased magnesium levels.
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH): LDH is an enzyme found in all tissues in the body. A high level in the blood can result from a number of different diseases. Also, slightly elevated levels in the blood are common and usually do not indicate disease. The most common sources of LDH are the heart, liver, muscles, and red blood cells.
Total Protein: This is a measure of the total amount of protein in your blood. A low or high total protein does not indicate a specific disease, but it does indicate that some additional tests may be required to determine if there is a problem.
Iron: The body must have iron to make hemoglobin and to help transfer oxygen to the muscle. If the body is low in iron, all body cells, particularly muscles in adults and brain cells in children, do not function up to par. If this test is low you should consider getting a Ferritin test, especially if you are a female who still has menstrual cycles.
Triglycerides: These are fats used as fuel by the body, and as an energy source for metabolism. Increased levels are almost always a sign of too much carbohydrate intake. Decreased levels are seen in hyperthyroidism, malnutrition and malabsorption.
Cholesterol: Group of fats vital to cell membranes, nerve fibers and bile salts, and a necessary precursor for the sex hormones. High levels indicate diet high in carbohydrates/sugars. Low levels indicate low fat diet, malabsorption, or carbohydrate sensitivity.
HDL/LDL: LDL is the "bad cholesterol", which carries cholesterol for cell building needs, but leaves behind any excess on artery walls and in tissues. HDL is the "good cholesterol" which helps to prevent narrowing of the artery walls by removing the excess cholesterol and transporting it to the liver for excretion. A low HDL percentage frequently indicates diets high in refined carbohydrates and/or carbohydrate sensitivity.
CO2: The CO2 level is related to the respiratory exchange of carbon dioxide in the lungs and is part of the bodies buffering system. Generally, when used with the other electrolytes, carbon dioxide levels indicate pH or acid/alkaline balance in the tissues. This is one of the most important tests that we measure. Most people have too much acid in their body. If you garden you will know that it is very difficult to grow plants in soil where the pH is incorrect. Our blood is similar to soil in many respects and it will be difficult to be healthy if our body's pH is not well balanced.
WBC: White blood count measures the total number of white blood cells in a given volume of blood. Since WBCs kill bacteria, this count is a measure of the body's response to infection.
Hemoglobin: Hemoglobin provides the main transport of oxygen and carbon in the blood. It is composed of "globin", a group of amino acids that form a protein and "heme", which contains iron. It is an important determinant of anemia (decreased hemoglobin) or poor diet/nutrition or malabsorption.
Hematocrit: Hematocrit is the measurement of the percentage of red blood cells in whole blood. It is an important determinant of anemia (decreased), dehydration (elevated) or possible overhydration (decreased).
MCV: This measures the average size of the red blood cells and their volume. These components together can indicate iron deficiency anemia (decreased), B12/folate deficiency anemia (increased), or rheumatoid arthritis (decreased).
Results
Lab test results may be positive, negative, or inconclusive.
What are false-positive and false-negative test results?
A false-positive test result is one that shows a disease or condition is present when it is not present. A false-positive test result may suggest that a person has the disease or condition when he or she does not have it. For example, a false-positive pregnancy test result would appear to detect the substance that confirms pregnancy, when in reality the woman is not pregnant.
A false-negative test result is one that does not detect what is being tested for even though it is present. A false-negative test result may suggest that a person does not have a disease or condition being tested for when he or she does have it. For example, a false-negative pregnancy test result would be one that does not detect the substance that confirms pregnancy, when the woman really is pregnant.
Some lab tests can give you specific information. For example, your doctor may suspect you have strep throat and order a throat culture to see if streptococcus bacteria are present. A positive lab test confirms that you have strep throat and helps your doctor choose the right treatment for you.
But some tests give only a clue that must be considered with other information to support a diagnosis, identify a risk, or help choose a treatment. For example, your doctor uses your cholesterol levels plus other things, such as blood pressure and age, to check your risk of a heart attack.
What if your results are different than the reference range?
It is possible to have a result that is different than the reference range even though nothing is wrong with you. Sometimes certain factors can affect your test results, such as pregnancy, a medicine you are taking, eating right before a test, smoking, or being under stress.
When your lab numbers are lower or higher than the numbers in the reference range, further testing may be needed. Your doctor may want to repeat the test or order another test to confirm the results.
Why do values or reference ranges vary from lab to lab?
Labs may use different types of equipment and tests, and sometimes they set their own reference ranges. Your lab report will contain the reference ranges your lab uses. Do not compare results from different labs.
Only a handful of tests, such as blood sugar, have standardized reference ranges that all labs use. This means that no matter where these tests are done, the results are compared to the same reference ranges.
CBC or complete blood count checks your white cells, red cells and platelets. This test is helpful to establish whether you have an infection or are anemic.
C8, Chem 8 or basic metabolic profile checks your kidney (renal) function: BUN, creatinine and estimated GFR/glomerular filtration rate; electrolytes: Na/sodium, K/potassium, Cl/chloride, bicarbonate; calcium and sugar (glucose)
Lipid or cholesterol profile measures and breaks down the cholesterol into total, HDL (good), LDL (bad), triglyceride level and risk ratio. Ideally you should be fasting for this test.
Hepatic panel, LFT or liver function tests checks your bilirubin (for jaundice) and enzyme levels
TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone checks your thyroid gland for under/hypo or over activity/hyper.
ESR or erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a nonspecific test and may be helpful in determining whether you have an infection or inflammation
CRP or C reactive protein is also a marker for inflammation
Uric acid determines whether you are at risk for gout PSA or prostate specific antigen is a test which may in some be helpful in screening for prostate cancer
HgbA1C, hemoglobin A1c or glycohemoglobin level is a measure of your average daily blood glucose/sugar over the past 8 weeks. No fasting is necessary for this test.
More details.......
Glucose: This is the chief source of energy for all living organisms. A level greater than 110 in someone who has fasted for 12 hours suggests a diabetic tendency. The strict definition of diabetes which is a level greater than 125.
Sodium: This element plays an important role in salt and water balance in your body. A low level in the blood can be caused by too much water intake, heart failure, or kidney failure. A low level can also be caused by loss of sodium in diarrhea, fluid or vomiting. A high level can be caused by too much intake of salt or by not enough intake of water.
Potassium and Magnesium: These elements are found primarily inside the cells of the body. Low levels in the blood may indicate severe diarrhea, alcoholism, or excessive use of water pills. A very low level of magnesium in the blood can cause your muscles to tremble. Low potassium levels can cause muscle weakness and heart problems.
Chloride: Is an electrolyte controlled by the kidneys and can sometimes be affected by diet. An electrolyte is involved in maintaining acid-base balance and helps to regulate blood volume and artery pressure. Elevated levels are related to acidosis as well as too much water crossing the cell membrane.
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): BUN is a waste product derived from protein breakdown in the liver. Increases can be caused by excessive protein intake, kidney damage, certain drugs, low fluid intake, intestinal bleeding, exercise, heart failure or decreased digestive enzyme production by the pancreas. Decreased levels are most commonly due to inadequate protein intake, malabsorption, or liver damage.
Creatinine: Creatinine is also a protein breakdown product. Its level is a reflection of the bodies muscle mass. Low levels are commonly seen in inadequate protein intake, liver disease, kidney damage or pregnancy. Elevated levels are generally reflective of kidney damage and need to be monitored very carefully.
Uric Acid: Uric acid is the end product purine metabolism. High levels are seen in gout, infections, high protein diets, and kidney disease. Low levels generally indicate protein and molybdenum (trace mineral) deficiency, liver damage or an overly acid kidney.
Phosphate: Phosphate is closely associated with calcium in bone development. Therefore most of the phosphate in the body is found in the bones. But the phosphate level in the blood is very important for muscle and nerve function. Very low levels of phosphate in the blood can be associated with starvation or malnutrition and this can lead to muscle weakness. High levels in the blood are usually associated with kidney disease. However the blood must be drawn carefully as improper handling may falsely increase the reading.
Calcium: Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is involved in bone metabolism, protein absorption, fat transfer, muscular contraction, transmission of nerve impulses, blood clotting, and heart function. It is highly sensitive to elements such as magnesium, iron, and phosphorous as well as hormonal activity, vitamin D levels, CO2 levels and many drugs. Diet, or even the presence of calcium in the diet has a lot to do with "calcium balance" - how much calcium you take in and how much you lose from your body.
Albumin: The most abundant protein in the blood, it is made in the liver and is an antioxidant that protects your tissues from free radicals. It binds waste products, toxins and dangerous drugs that might damage the body. Is also is a major buffer in the body and plays a role in controlling the precise amount of water in our tissues. It serves to transport vitamins, minerals and hormones. The higher this number is, the better. The highest one can reasonably expect would be 5.5.
Alkaline Phosphatase: Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that is found in all body tissue, but the most important sites are bone, liver, bile ducts and the gut. A high level of alkaline phosphatase in your blood may indicate bone, liver or bile duct disease. Certain drugs may also cause high levels. Growing children, because of bone growth, normally have a higher level than adults do. Low levels indicate low functioning adrenal glands, protein deficiency, malnutrition or more commonly, a deficiency in zinc.
Transaminases (SGTP) & (SGOT): These are enzymes that are primarily found in the liver. Drinking too much alcohol, certain drugs, liver disease and bile duct disease can cause high levels in the blood. Hepatitis is another problem that can raise these levels. Low levels of GGTP may indicate a magnesium deficiency. Low levels of SGPT and SGOT may indicate deficiency of vitamin B6.
Gamma-Glutamyltranserase (GGTP): Believed to be involved in the transport of amino acids into cells as well as glutathione metabolism. Found in the liver and will rise with alcohol use, liver disease, or excess magnesium. Decreased levels can be found in hypothyroidism and more commonly decreased magnesium levels.
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH): LDH is an enzyme found in all tissues in the body. A high level in the blood can result from a number of different diseases. Also, slightly elevated levels in the blood are common and usually do not indicate disease. The most common sources of LDH are the heart, liver, muscles, and red blood cells.
Total Protein: This is a measure of the total amount of protein in your blood. A low or high total protein does not indicate a specific disease, but it does indicate that some additional tests may be required to determine if there is a problem.
Iron: The body must have iron to make hemoglobin and to help transfer oxygen to the muscle. If the body is low in iron, all body cells, particularly muscles in adults and brain cells in children, do not function up to par. If this test is low you should consider getting a Ferritin test, especially if you are a female who still has menstrual cycles.
Triglycerides: These are fats used as fuel by the body, and as an energy source for metabolism. Increased levels are almost always a sign of too much carbohydrate intake. Decreased levels are seen in hyperthyroidism, malnutrition and malabsorption.
Cholesterol: Group of fats vital to cell membranes, nerve fibers and bile salts, and a necessary precursor for the sex hormones. High levels indicate diet high in carbohydrates/sugars. Low levels indicate low fat diet, malabsorption, or carbohydrate sensitivity.
HDL/LDL: LDL is the "bad cholesterol", which carries cholesterol for cell building needs, but leaves behind any excess on artery walls and in tissues. HDL is the "good cholesterol" which helps to prevent narrowing of the artery walls by removing the excess cholesterol and transporting it to the liver for excretion. A low HDL percentage frequently indicates diets high in refined carbohydrates and/or carbohydrate sensitivity.
CO2: The CO2 level is related to the respiratory exchange of carbon dioxide in the lungs and is part of the bodies buffering system. Generally, when used with the other electrolytes, carbon dioxide levels indicate pH or acid/alkaline balance in the tissues. This is one of the most important tests that we measure. Most people have too much acid in their body. If you garden you will know that it is very difficult to grow plants in soil where the pH is incorrect. Our blood is similar to soil in many respects and it will be difficult to be healthy if our body's pH is not well balanced.
WBC: White blood count measures the total number of white blood cells in a given volume of blood. Since WBCs kill bacteria, this count is a measure of the body's response to infection.
Hemoglobin: Hemoglobin provides the main transport of oxygen and carbon in the blood. It is composed of "globin", a group of amino acids that form a protein and "heme", which contains iron. It is an important determinant of anemia (decreased hemoglobin) or poor diet/nutrition or malabsorption.
Hematocrit: Hematocrit is the measurement of the percentage of red blood cells in whole blood. It is an important determinant of anemia (decreased), dehydration (elevated) or possible overhydration (decreased).
MCV: This measures the average size of the red blood cells and their volume. These components together can indicate iron deficiency anemia (decreased), B12/folate deficiency anemia (increased), or rheumatoid arthritis (decreased).
Results
Lab test results may be positive, negative, or inconclusive.
- A positive test result means that the substance or condition being tested for was found. Positive test results also can mean that the amount of a substance being tested for is higher or lower than normal.
- A negative test result means that the substance or condition being tested for was not found. Negative results can also mean that the substance being tested for was present in a normal amount.
- Inconclusive test results are those that are not clearly positive or negative. For example, some tests measure the level of antibodies to some bacteria or viruses in blood or other bodily fluid to look for an infection. It is not always clear if the level of antibodies is high enough to indicate an infection.
What are false-positive and false-negative test results?
A false-positive test result is one that shows a disease or condition is present when it is not present. A false-positive test result may suggest that a person has the disease or condition when he or she does not have it. For example, a false-positive pregnancy test result would appear to detect the substance that confirms pregnancy, when in reality the woman is not pregnant.
A false-negative test result is one that does not detect what is being tested for even though it is present. A false-negative test result may suggest that a person does not have a disease or condition being tested for when he or she does have it. For example, a false-negative pregnancy test result would be one that does not detect the substance that confirms pregnancy, when the woman really is pregnant.
Some lab tests can give you specific information. For example, your doctor may suspect you have strep throat and order a throat culture to see if streptococcus bacteria are present. A positive lab test confirms that you have strep throat and helps your doctor choose the right treatment for you.
But some tests give only a clue that must be considered with other information to support a diagnosis, identify a risk, or help choose a treatment. For example, your doctor uses your cholesterol levels plus other things, such as blood pressure and age, to check your risk of a heart attack.
What if your results are different than the reference range?
It is possible to have a result that is different than the reference range even though nothing is wrong with you. Sometimes certain factors can affect your test results, such as pregnancy, a medicine you are taking, eating right before a test, smoking, or being under stress.
When your lab numbers are lower or higher than the numbers in the reference range, further testing may be needed. Your doctor may want to repeat the test or order another test to confirm the results.
Why do values or reference ranges vary from lab to lab?
Labs may use different types of equipment and tests, and sometimes they set their own reference ranges. Your lab report will contain the reference ranges your lab uses. Do not compare results from different labs.
Only a handful of tests, such as blood sugar, have standardized reference ranges that all labs use. This means that no matter where these tests are done, the results are compared to the same reference ranges.