Understanding Your Blood Test Results: A Plain-Language Guide for Indians

Every day, millions of Indians receive blood test reports they do not fully understand. The numbers, abbreviations, and reference ranges sit on a page while patients wait anxiously for a doctor to interpret them — sometimes days later. Health literacy means understanding your own body. This guide explains the most commonly ordered blood tests in plain language.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

• Haemoglobin (Hb): Normal 12–17 g/dL (women 12–15, men 13–17). Below 12 = anaemia. Above 17 = polycythaemia.
• WBC (White Blood Cells): 4,000–11,000 per µL. High = infection or inflammation. Very high or very low can indicate blood disorders.
• Platelets: 1.5–4 lakh per µL. Low platelets (below 1 lakh) may indicate dengue, ITP, or liver disease. Above 4 lakh rarely causes concern.
• MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): Low MCV = iron deficiency. High MCV = B12/folate deficiency.

Fasting Blood Glucose and HbA1c

• Fasting glucose: Normal <100 mg/dL. Prediabetes 100–125. Diabetes ≥126 mg/dL.
• HbA1c: Reflects average blood sugar over 3 months. Normal <5.7%. Prediabetes 5.7–6.4%. Diabetes ≥6.5%. More reliable than a single fasting glucose.
• Postprandial glucose (PP): Measured 2 hours after a meal. Normal <140 mg/dL.

Lipid Profile

• Total cholesterol: Desirable <200 mg/dL
• LDL (“bad” cholesterol): Optimal <100 mg/dL (or <70 in high cardiac risk patients)
• HDL (“good” cholesterol): Higher is better. Men ≥40, Women ≥50 mg/dL
• Triglycerides: Normal <150 mg/dL. High triglycerides often indicate excess carbohydrate/alcohol intake.

Liver Function Tests (LFT)

• SGPT/ALT: Normal <40 U/L. Elevated in fatty liver, viral hepatitis, alcohol use
• SGOT/AST: Normal <40 U/L. Also elevated in heart and muscle damage
• Bilirubin: Total <1.2 mg/dL. Elevated causes jaundice
• Albumin: 3.5–5.5 g/dL. Low albumin signals chronic liver disease or malnutrition

Understanding your blood tests is not a substitute for a doctor’s interpretation — it is preparation for a better conversation. Go to your appointment knowing what your numbers mean, and ask informed questions.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. Always discuss your results with your treating physician for proper clinical interpretation.