Various abbreviations and numbers can be found on the result of a blood test like TLC, HDL, LDL. However, the meaning of these abbreviations and values is not entirely clear to many people. Let us help you understand the abbreviations in the blood report and explain what they mean in the blood test report.
A medical blood test report can be useful in many ways. It helps significantly in the diagnosis of diseases and also provides information about the condition of the patient’s organs. Blood is, of course, necessary for the examination. However, a small blood sample of between 2 ml and 50 ml, is sufficient to perform the blood test and create a blood test report.
Human blood consists of approximately 55 percent liquid (blood plasma) and approximately 45 percent solid components such as red and white blood cells. When performing a blood test in the laboratory, blood plasma, and blood cells are separated using a centrifuge. The values can be determined from the blood plasma, which provides information about fats, minerals, or vitamins.
As a rule, however, we speak of a blood count if the blood cells are examined in the laboratory, blood plasma, and blood cells are separated using a centrifuge. The values can be determined from the blood plasma, which provides information about fats, minerals, or vitamins. As a rule, however, we speak of a blood count if the blood cells are examined in the laboratory instead of the blood plasma.
Basic Blood Count – How to Interpret Blood Test Report
The basic blood count says a lot about the composition of the blood. The primary focus here is on red blood cells (erythrocytes), which make up around 95 percent of blood cells. The remaining five percent are primarily composed of white blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes). Through the basic blood count, the hemoglobin (red blood pigment) and the hematocrit value (flow property of the blood) are determined.
TABLE 1
| TEST | Normal values for Women | Normal values for Men |
| Red blood cells (erythrocytes) | 4.0 – 5.4 million / µl | 4.3 – 5.6 million / µl |
| White blood cells (leukocytes) | 3,800 – 10,500 / µl | 3,800 – 10,500 / µl |
| Platelets (platelets) | 140,000 – 345,000 / µl | 140,000 – 345,000 / µl |
| Hb (hemoglobin) | 12 – 16 g / µl | 13 – 17 g / µl |
| HKT (hematocrit) | 38 – 44% | 42 – 50% |
| * µl – microlitre |
Complete Blood Count(CBC)
The complete blood count is usually performed if there are abnormal values in the basic blood count or if there is a specific suspicion of illness. In addition to the values from the basic blood count, there are other values for the complete blood count.
They are also called differential blood count because the leukocytes are viewed in a more differentiated manner. Because white blood cells are an integral part of the immune system and protect blood and tissue from bacteria and viruses, a doctor can use the complete blood count to confirm a suspicion about a disease.
Through the complete blood count, the granulocyte value is determined. The granulocytes are also divided into neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. The value for the monocytes and the lymphocytes is also determined.
Table 2
| TEST | Normal values for Women | Normal values for Men |
| Rod-core neutrophils | 3 – 5% | 3 – 5% |
| Neutrophils with segmented nuclei | 54 – 62% | 54 – 62% |
| Eosinophils | 1 – 4% | 1 – 4% |
| Basophils | 0-1% | 0-1% |
| Monocytes | 3 – 8% | 3 – 8% |
| Lymphocytes | 25-45% | 25-45% |
Inflammation – How to Interpret Blood Test Report
Inflammation can also be detected with the help of a blood test. Three important values play a major role in determining the inflammation which are the sedimentation rate, the C-reactive protein (CRP), and the number of white blood cells.
Table 3
| TEST | Normal values for Women | Normal values for Men |
| BSG (sedimentation rate) | 6 – 10 mm after one hour | 3 – 10 mm after one hour |
| CRP (C-reactive protein) | <5 mg / l | <5 mg / l |
| White blood cells (leukocytes) | 3,800 – 10,500 / µl | 3,800 – 10,500 / µl |
Blood Fat Analysis
A Complete blood count can determine the blood lipid values. With the help of the so-called blood fat analysis, the risk of arteriosclerosis and metabolic disorders can be determined. It is the percentage of fat in the blood.
Table 4
| TEST | Normal values for Women | Normal values for Men |
| Triglycerides | <150 mg / dl or <1.7 mmol / l | <150 mg / dl or <1.7 mmol / l |
| Cholesterol | <200 mg / dl or <5.2 mmol / l | <200 mg / dl or <5.2 mmol / l |
| LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) | <160 mg / dl or <4.1 mmol / l | <160 mg / dl or <4.1 mmol / l |
| HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) | >40 mg / l or 1.0 mmol / l | > 40 mg / l or 1.0 mmol / l |
| * mg / l – milligrams per liter* mmol / l – Millimoles Per Litre |
Liver Function Tests – Deciphering Blood Test Report
Liver tests can also be performed using a blood test. The liver function tests are actually among the most common blood tests analyzed in the laboratory. The liver values can provide the doctor with information on various diseases such as gallstones, liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, or hepatitis.
Table 5
| TEST | Normal values for Women | Normal values for Men |
| GOT (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase) | <35 U / l | <50 U / l |
| GPT (glutamate pyruvate transaminase) | <35 U / l | <50 U / l |
| Gamma-GT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) | <40 U / l | <60 U / l |
| AP (alkaline phosphatase) | 35-105 U / l | 40 – 130 U / l |
| * U / l – Units Per Litre |
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Kidney Values
The kidney function can also be determined using a blood analysis. Most often, urea, creatinine, and creatinine clearance are examined for kidney values. In addition to blood analysis, urine analysis is also conducted if there are suspicious values in the Kidney Function Test or KFT.
Table 6
| TEST | Normal values for Women | Normal values for Men |
| Urea | 17 – 43 mg / dl | 18-55 mg / dl |
| Creatinine | 0.66 – 1.09 mg / dl | 0.84-1.44 mg / dl |
| Creatinine clearance (25 -50 years) | 70-110 ml / min | 95-140 ml / min |
| * mg / dl – Milligrams Per Decilitre* ml / min – milliliters/minute |
Thyroid Values – How to Analyse Blood Test Report
The thyroid values can also be determined using a blood test. The TSH value (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is particularly interesting here. Deviations from the normal range can indicate an underactive or overactive thyroid.
| TEST | Normal values for Women | Normal values for Men |
| TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) | 0.27 – 2.5 mU / l | 0.27 – 2.5 mU / l |
| T3 (triiodothyronine) | 2 – 4.4 pg / ml | 2 – 4.4 pg / ml |
| T4 (L-thyroxine) | 8-18 pg / ml | 8-18 pg / ml |
| * mU / l – milliunits per litre* pg / ml – picogram/milliliter |
What if The Values are Too Low or Too High
If the values of the blood test report are too low or too high, this is no reason to panic. Blood values are subject to fluctuations which can sometimes lie outside the ideal values. However, blood values that are too low or too high can also indicate a malfunction of the body or even an illness.
Self-diagnosis only makes no sense based on the blood count values. Only a doctor and medically trained experts can correctly connect the different values and compare them with symptoms to ultimately make a complete diagnosis.
How to Improve Your Blood Values
Medications do not always have to be used for bad blood values. To improve your own blood values, it is often enough to change your lifestyle. Above all, this includes not using alcohol and nicotine but adopting a healthy diet with a light exercise. These measures have an enormous impact on metabolism and thus also on blood values.
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