Understanding Different Blood Test Lab Results

For many of us, an annual physical exam will include bloodwork. While the procedure is straightforward, the results that come back to you can be confusing—especially if you don't have a medical background.

Below are some standard tests, the blood biomarker measures, and what they mean for your health.

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A comprehensive metabolic panel blood test

The comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) looks into different biomarkers to reveal a snapshot of your health at a given time. It looks at the following:

Glucose

This is your fasting blood sugar level at the time of your blood draw. It's the body’s primary fuel source and a crucial factor in health, longevity, blood pressure, and weight control.

Electrolytes

These minerals are critical for your body to function. Diet, hydration, and excretion of electrolytes might impact your levels. Here are the ones included in a CMP test:

• Sodium: Abnormal levels of this biomarker signal dehydration, excessive salt intake, interference from certain medications, or kidney and liver dysfunction. The normal range is 35–145 millimoles/liter (mmol/L).
• *Chloride: If your sodium is high, chloride could be, too. It may indicate kidney dysfunction. The reference range is 98–106 mmol/L.
• Potassium: This electrolyte regulates blood pressure, heartbeat, kidney function, and muscle energy use. Athletes with potassium levels between 3.7 and 5.2 mmol/L have more endurance, stronger bones, and healthier cholesterol and glucose.

» Read more about sodium and potassium and why they are essential for hydration

Kidney function blood test

A CMP also includes several markers that measure kidney function:

• Creatinine: During normal daily activities, your muscles create this waste product. If your kidneys are healthy, they filter it out of the blood and excrete it. Normal levels of these biomarkers are around 0.–0.3 mg/dL for men and 0.6–1.1 mg/dL for women.
• *Total protein: This marker tests for the amount of protein in the blood. Normal ranges for it are 6.0–8.3 gm/dL, so any spikes could mean you have nutrient malabsorption, malnutrition, or kidney or liver abnormalities.
• *Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): Measures the amount of a waste product from the kidneys. Normal levels are generally 6–20 mg/dL, which means irregularities signal dehydration or urinary tract obstruction.

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Liver function measures

A CMP also assesses several markers that measure liver function. These include:

• *Total bilirubin: This is a byproduct of the red blood cell breakdown that the liver processes. It becomes part of bile, which the body excretes through the intestines. Levels above or below 0.2–1.9 mg/dL indicate liver disease, blood disorders, or a blockage of a bile duct or gallbladder.
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): An enzyme found in the liver, heart, muscle tissue, and kidneys that breaks down proteins. Normal ranges are 10–34 IU/L; anything above likely signals tissue damage that usually happens after a workout.
• *Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): Another enzyme in the liver, bones, kidneys, and digestive tract. The reference scope is 44-47 IU/L; any abnormalities require additional tests to determine the cause.
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): Also a liver and skeletal muscle enzyme. It converts glucose into energy. Levels outside the range of 8–37 IU/L could be due to liver or muscle cell damage.

» Understand what elevated liver enzymes after exercise mean



The complete blood count test (CBC)

The complete blood count test gives a broad look at overall health, with biomarkers such as:

• Red blood cells (RBCs): Primary oxygen transport method throughout the system. A range 4.2–5.9 million cells/cmm signals normal bodily function.
• White blood cells (WBCs): The body's primary infection fighters. A normal scope is 4,300–10,800 cmm; low counts mean you have a weakened immune system and overall health.
• Hemoglobin: A protein found in red blood cells that delivers oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Optimal ranges are 13–18 g/dL for men and 12–16 g/dL for women. They relate to better performance in strength and aerobic activities.
• Hematocrit: This biomarker is the measure of how many red blood cells circulate throughout your system. Men usually have higher levels of it than woman, but the standard range is 36%–52%.
• Ferritin: A storage protein for iron, ferritin is an accurate metric of the mineral's status in the body. Normal scope is 12–300 ng/mL for men and for 12–150 ng/mL for women. Low levels mean you need to take more through the diet.

» Uncover hidden health risks and optimize your longevity with a blood test analysis

Blood cholesterol test (lipid panel)

A lipid panel looks for abnormalities in fats, including cholesterol and triglycerides. Together, these markers show your heart health and the potential risk for cardiovascular diseases.

Here are the different markers included in its results:

• Total cholesterol: Accounts for many different types of lipoproteins—or carriers of cholesterol—plus triglycerides. Healthy levels in a range of 125–200 mg/dL are crucial for keeping your heart healthy.
• Low-density lipoproteins (LDL): We normally refer to these particles as “bad cholesterol.” If your levels are above 110 mg/dL for extended periods, plaque can form in blood vessels—restricting flow. If there is a significant amount of inflammation present, it increases the risk of cardiovascular events.
• High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL): More commonly known as “good cholesterol”. It removes excess LDL from the bloodstream and takes it to the liver for breakdown. Optimal levels are around 45–200 mg/dL.
• Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): While not technically included in a standard lipid panel, ApoB is more detailed measure of heart health. It's the main structural protein found in all potentially atherogenic lipoproteins, including LDL. Levels above 119 mg/dL increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

Hormone blood tests

Hormones act as messengers throughout the body and are essential for maintaining numerous bodily processes, including metabolism, sleep and wake cycle, mood, and growth and development.

Here are the markers you can find in your results:

Testosterone

Testosterone is a steroid hormone found in both men and women. Optimized levels for women around 2–45 ng/dL are essential to overall health, sexual function, bone health, and athletic performance.



DHEAS

DHEAS comes from the adrenal gland of both sexes, but based on the current research available, InsideTracker only tests this marker in females.

Healthy DHEAS levels in women are associated with a healthy immune system, increased energy, better bone and muscle health, and good sexual function.

» Unmask your body's aging clock and track your DHEAS levels for insights into your hormonal health

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)

SHBG is another protein that transports sex hormones throughout the body. It regulates the number of free ones available for use in tissues. Unoptimized levels can throw off the number of active sex hormones you have—negatively influencing your sex drive, overall energy, and memory.

In males, high SHBG decreases the amount of free testosterone. It may cause infertility, a decreased sex drive, and erectile dysfunction—especially when total testosterone levels are already low.

On the other hand, low levels in females can result in testosterone being less available and altering energy metabolism, sex drive, bone health, and muscle development.

» Make informed decisions about your body. Explore the science behind birth control and its impact on hormones

Women are also more likely to have higher levels of testosterone, which can lead to androgenization or the development of masculine characteristics. They may also be at a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. [1]

Cortisol

Cortisol is a steroid hormone that the body releases into the bloodstream in response to stress. It helps regulate energy, metabolism, and immune function. Having optimized amounts is critical in overall health, as too much or too little of it can have negative consequences.

» De-stress and feel better. Explore the science behind whey protein and its stress management benefits

Chronically high cortisol results in poor sleep quality, impaired blood sugar control, increased anxiety, depressed moods, digestive problems, and loss of muscle mass.

» Feeling burned out? Discover how to track cortisol and creatine kinase to improve your stress management and recovery

Estradiol

This is the most potent form of the hormone estrogen and the most prevalent for premenopausal women. Estradiol levels fluctuate naturally with the menstrual cycle—although birth control use does alter estradiol levels.

Optimal levels during premenopausal help with a healthy menstrual cycle, and during postmenopause they reduce the risk of low bone mineral density and poor heart health. [2]

» Find hormonal harmony. Learn how to optimize your well-being by balancing testosterone and estrogen



Progesterone

Progesterone is a steroid hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle. The adrenal cortex and the ovaries produce it. Like estradiol, its levels readily rise and fall throughout the menstrual cycle, declining greatly after menopause.

Progesterone levels that fall outside of the clinical reference range are best addressed with a healthcare practitioner.

» Time your blood test for optimal results. Understand how your cycle impacts blood test accuracy and schedule strategically

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

TSH is the most sensitive marker of thyroid health. It's released from the pituitary gland in the brain and acts on the hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which are closely tied to metabolic processes, body temperature regulation, and nervous system development.



Blood test for inflammation

Inflammation is part of the body’s immune response, protecting it from harmful stimuli like pathogens and damaged cells. White blood cells and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (HsCRP) are a measure of inflammation

» Target inflammation at the source. Discover the most accurate test to guide your personalized anti-inflammatory plan

Other micronutrients included in blood tests

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals essential for the body to function properly but are needed in smaller amounts than macronutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and protein.

A blood analysis provides objective insights into whether you get enough nutrients to promote optimal functioning. These biomarkers include:

Vitamin D

This fat-soluble vitamin is essential in bone health, immune function, mood, and longevity. Although vitamin D is an important micronutrient and many people across the globe have insufficient levels, it's often not in a standard blood test. You can get it from food, supplements, and spending time in the sun. rays from the sun.

» Learn how to safely balance sun exposure for a healthy Vitamin D level



Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin—meaning the body can't produce it, and it must be obtained through the diet. Vitamin B12 plays a role in the production of red blood cells, converting food into energy and making DNA.

Having optimal vitamin levels is essential for maintaining almost every cell in the body and cognition.

Magnesium

As one of the most abundant minerals in the body, magnesium plays an important role in maintaining blood pressure, increasing oxygen capacity, proper muscle function, improving sleep, and healthy immune system function. Having optimal levels of magnesium can help improve energy levels and can be measured in a simple blood test.

» Discover the different types and find the best magnesium for your health goals

RBC magnesium

This measure of magnesium looks at the levels in your red blood cells and gives a more accurate picture of stores in the body. When your levels in the blood decrease, the body will pull it from its stores in the bones, tissues, and organs to maintain homeostasis or balance.

This more sensitive level of magnesium isn't done on common blood tests but can give a more in-depth look at whether you need more from the diet.



Get help interpreting your blood test results

Still, need help understanding your blood test results and the steps you can take to improve unoptimized levels? InsideTracker can tell you whether your results are optimized based on age, sex, ethnicity, activity level, and menopausal status.

With InsideTracker, you can get a blood test any time—not just at your annual physical—that includes measuring more markers than what insurance for preventative screening covers.

An InsideTracker analysis takes a deep dive into each biomarker measured and what may be impacting it and science-backed recommendations based on your results, lifestyle, and goals for improving unoptimized markers.

To take it one step further, we can help you create an Action Plan to improve your biomarkers. With the platform interpreting your results it details potential connections between biomarkers, identifies areas for improvement, and gives you an evidence-based action plan.

» Optimize your health from the inside out and get deep insights and actionable recommendations to live healthier, longer

References:

1. “Correlation between Hormonal Statuses and Metabolic Syndrome in Postmenopausal Women,” PubMed, Jun. 01, 2013. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24971105/
2. F. Mauvais-Jarvis, D. J. Clegg, and A. L. Hevener, “The role of estrogens in control of energy balance and glucose homeostasis,” Endocrine Reviews, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 309–338, Jun. 2013, doi: 10.1210/er.2012-1055. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23460719/