How to Read Your Blood Test Results
Your lab report arrived and it's full of numbers, abbreviations, and reference ranges — most of it unexplained. Here's what every section means, in plain English.
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Analyze My Report →What is a blood test?
A blood test (also called a blood panel or blood work) is a lab analysis of a sample of your blood. It measures dozens of values called biomarkers — chemical compounds, cells, and proteins that reflect how your organs and systems are functioning.
Most people get a standard blood test as part of an annual physical or when a doctor suspects something is wrong. The problem: most lab reports hand you a page of numbers with a "normal" or "high/low" flag and no further explanation. That gap is exactly what Clariti is designed to fill.
CBC — Complete Blood Count
The CBC measures the cells in your blood. It is one of the most commonly ordered tests and covers:
RBC (Red Blood Cells) — carry oxygen around your body. Low RBC often indicates anemia.
WBC (White Blood Cells) — your immune system's fighting cells. Elevated WBC may signal infection or inflammation.
Hemoglobin (Hgb) — the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells. The primary marker for anemia.
Hematocrit (Hct) — the percentage of blood made up of red blood cells.
Platelets (PLT) — clotting cells. Very low = bleeding risk; very high = clotting risk.
MCV — average size of red blood cells. Small cells often mean iron deficiency; large cells often mean B12 or folate deficiency.
CMP — Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
The CMP tells you how your kidneys, liver, and blood chemistry are functioning. It covers 14 markers including:
Glucose — blood sugar. Fasting glucose above 100 mg/dL is pre-diabetic range.
BUN & Creatinine — kidney waste markers. Elevated values suggest kidneys are under stress.
eGFR — estimated kidney filtration rate. Below 60 for 3+ months indicates chronic kidney disease.
ALT & AST — liver enzymes. Elevated levels may signal fatty liver, alcohol use, or medication effects.
Albumin — a liver protein. Low albumin indicates poor nutrition or impaired liver function.
Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Calcium) — critical for heart rhythm and muscle function.
Lipid Panel
Measures the fats in your blood and is directly tied to cardiovascular disease risk. The four key values are:
LDL ("bad" cholesterol) — optimal is under 100 mg/dL. High LDL is the primary cardiovascular risk driver.
HDL ("good" cholesterol) — higher is better. Men want above 40; women above 50 mg/dL.
Triglycerides — blood fats tied to diet and metabolic health. Optimal is under 100 mg/dL.
Total Cholesterol — a raw total. Less useful alone than the LDL/HDL breakdown.
HbA1c — 3-Month Blood Sugar Average
HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) shows your average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months — a far better diabetes marker than a single fasting glucose reading.
≤ 5.4%
Optimal
5.7–6.4%
Pre-diabetic
≥ 6.5%
Diabetes range
Thyroid Panel — TSH, T3, T4
TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is the primary screening marker. Most labs flag anything up to 4.5 mIU/L as "normal" — but optimal is 1.0–2.0 mIU/L. Many people sit in the 2.5–4.5 range and experience fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog that goes unaddressed.
TSH — optimal: 1.0–2.0 mIU/L. Lab reference: 0.4–4.5 mIU/L.
Free T4 — active thyroid hormone. Optimal: 1.0–1.5 ng/dL.
Free T3 — the most active form. Optimal: 3.0–4.0 pg/mL.
Vitamin D
Most labs consider anything above 20 ng/mL "sufficient." Research consistently shows optimal immune function, mood, and bone health at 40–60 ng/mL. Deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency globally — over 40% of adults are deficient.
Ferritin — Iron Storage
Ferritin measures stored iron. You can have low ferritin — causing fatigue, hair loss, and poor exercise recovery — well before hemoglobin drops into the "anemic" range. Many people are iron-deficient without being technically anemic.
Optimal (Women) — 50–100 ng/mL. Lab reference: 11–307 ng/mL.
Optimal (Men) — 70–150 ng/mL. Lab reference: 24–336 ng/mL.
CRP — Inflammation Marker
High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) measures systemic inflammation. Chronic low-grade inflammation drives most modern diseases — cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's. Optimal hs-CRP is under 1.0 mg/L. Above 3.0 mg/L indicates elevated cardiovascular risk.
Why "normal" isn't good enough
Lab reference ranges are calculated to capture 95% of a healthy population — meaning they are intentionally broad. You can have a glucose of 99, a TSH of 4.0, and a vitamin D of 22 — all "normal" on your report — and still feel exhausted, foggy, and far from your best.
This is why Clariti scores against optimal ranges, not just reference ranges. An A grade means truly optimal — not just "not flagged."
The Most Important Skill: Reading Trends, Not Snapshots
A single blood test result is a snapshot — it can be affected by your last meal, recent exercise, stress, sleep, hydration, and time of day. The real diagnostic power comes from tracking results across multiple tests over time. A fasting glucose creeping from 82 to 88 to 96 mg/dL over three years tells a more important story than any single 'normal' result. Always keep your previous results and compare each new test against your own personal trend.
What to do with your results
Your levels are optimal. Maintain your lifestyle and retest in 6–12 months.
Suboptimal but not dangerous. Targeted lifestyle and supplement changes can help.
Below optimal or flagged. Discuss with your doctor and consider retesting sooner.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Reference ranges, supplement dosages, and nutritional information mentioned are general educational guidance from published research—not personalised recommendations. Do not use this content to self-diagnose or self-treat any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen, medications, or supplements.
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