How to read your wellness lab results.

Abbreviation

Meaning

cmm

Cells per cubic milliliter

fL (femtoliter)

Fraction of one-millionth of a liter

g/dL

Grams per deciliter

IU/L

International units per liter

mcg/dL

Micrograms per decilitre

mEq/L

Milliequivalent per liter

mIU/mL

milli-international units per milliliter

mg/dL

Milligrams per deciliter

mg/L

Milligrans per liter

mL

Milliliter

mm/h 

Millimiter per hour

mmol/L

Millimoles per liter

ng/mL

Nanograms per milliliter

ng/dL

Nanograms per decilitre

pg (picogram)

One-trillionth of a gram

pg/mL

Picograms per milliliter

mcL

Microliter

µg/dL

Micrograms per deciliter

Test name

Overview

Reference range
(Normal range)

Cholesterol Testing

Cholesterol testing is also referred to as a lipid panel. This measures the different types of triglycerides and cholesterol (fats) in the blood. Common sub-tests within a lipid panel include testing total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol.

An explanation of the different cholesterol subtests and their reference ranges can be seen here.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A CBC can highlight issues such as infection, bleeding, certain diseases, or clotting problems.

There are several different sub-tests within a CBC and a full list of CBC tests and the reference ranges can be seen here.

Comprehensive metabolic profile

Also known as a chemistry panel, measures glucose levels, fluid and electrolyte balance, liver function, and kidney function.

For a full list of common comprehensive metabolic panel tests and the reference ranges click here to read how to interpret your lab results.

Diydrotestosterone (DHT)

Dihydrotestosterone testing might be used if you are receiving chemotherapy or 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor therapy.

Males 30-85 ng/dL
Females 4-22 ng/dL

Children differs per age.

Hepatitis A

A blood test can be carried out to see if you are carrying the disease hepatitis A.

The test checks for antibodies which are produced by the body to fight the infection. If there are no antibodies present, the test is negative, and you do not have the disease.

IgM antibodies are present if you have an active or a recent infection.

IgG antibodies are present if you have been vaccinated, or have had an infection in the past.

Lactic acid

Lactic acid is usually measured if there is a concern that you may have lactic acidosis. If the results are abnormal, your body might not be getting enough oxygen which can lead to several problems with the heart, liver, or lungs.

4.5 to 19.8 mg/dL

Pancreatitis

A blood test checking the levels of enzymes amylase and lipase can be carried out as part of diagnosing pancreatitis. The blood test checks the amount of these enzymes in your blood stream.

Amylase 23-85 U/L
Lipase 0-160 U/L

During acute pancreatitis, these levels are often three times higher than normal.

Phosphorous

High levels of phosphorus can indicate a problem with your kidneys or the parathyroid gland. Phosphorus helps support calcium and bone health.

3.4-4.5 mg/dL
(1.12-1.45 mmol/L)

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)

PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland and is measured to pick up any prostate problems. If it is high then it may be a sign of prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate), or prostate cancer.

It is considered difficult to state a ‘normal reference range’ however, PSA levels of 4.0 ng/mL or lower are usually considered normal.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid factor is created by the body when it begins to destroy healthy tissues.

Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide is a protein made by the body when inflammation is present.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate is the speed which your red blood cells clump and fall together to the bottom of a glass tube within an hour.

C-Reactive Protein rises when inflammation is present.

Anti-nuclear antibody tests measure the presence of certain abnormal antibodies in your blood.

Normal rheumatoid factor results: 0-20 u/mL
High rheumatoid factor results: Over 20 u/mL

A result of 20 u/mL or less is normal.

Males under 50 years: 0-15 mm/h 
Men above 50 years: 0-20 mm/h

Females under 50 years: 0-20 mm/h
Females above 50 years: 0-30 mm/h 

Less than 10 mg/L

1 part antibodies to 40 parts solution is a negative test result.

Vitamin testing

A few of the common vitamin tests available:

Vitamin A
Vitamin B12

30-65 µg/dL
190-950 pg/mL

Urinalysis

This is a urine test, not a blood test. It can help to identify urine infections or kidney problems. It can also help find other diseases like kidney disease, diabetes, or liver disease.

There are a number of elements observed when analysing a urine test. Due to the complex nature of this test, it is best to discuss your urinalysis test results with your doctor.