Blood Chemistry Check

Measures the number of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to every cell in your body. Abnormal levels can indicate anemia, dehydration, or bone marrow disorders.

The iron-rich protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your body and returning carbon dioxide to the lungs. Low haemoglobin is the primary marker for anemia and can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

The percentage of your blood volume occupied by red blood cells. It reflects the balance between red blood cell production and loss, helping diagnose anemia, dehydration, and polycythemia.

The average size of your red blood cells. Small cells (microcytic) suggest iron deficiency, while large cells (macrocytic) may indicate vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. Normal-sized cells with low count suggest chronic disease.

The average amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell. Low MCH indicates that red blood cells carry less oxygen than normal, commonly seen in iron-deficiency anemia.

The average concentration of hemoglobin within each red blood cell. It helps differentiate types of anemia — low MCHC points to iron deficiency, while high MCHC can indicate spherocytosis.

Measures the variation in size among your red blood cells. A high RDW means your red blood cells vary significantly in size, which can help distinguish between different types of anemia.

Measures the total number of white blood cells, your body's primary defense against infection. Elevated levels may indicate infection, inflammation, or immune disorders, while low levels can signal bone marrow problems or autoimmune conditions.

The percentage of white blood cells that are eosinophils. Elevated eosinophil percentages are commonly associated with allergic reactions and parasitic infections.

The percentage of white blood cells that are monocytes. Monocytes are part of the innate immune system and develop into macrophages and dendritic cells in tissues.

The percentage of white blood cells that are lymphocytes, key players in adaptive immunity including antibody production and cell-mediated immune responses.

The percentage of white blood cells that are neutrophils. Neutrophils are the most common WBC type and respond primarily to bacterial infections.

The percentage of white blood cells that are basophils. Basophils play a role in allergic reactions by releasing histamine and other inflammatory mediators.

Measures the number of platelets, small cell fragments essential for blood clotting. Low platelets increase bleeding risk, while high platelets may increase clot risk. Important for monitoring clotting disorders and medication effects.

The combined measure of all cholesterol in your blood, including HDL, LDL, and VLDL. While useful as an overview, the breakdown between HDL and LDL is more clinically meaningful for assessing cardiovascular risk.

Often called 'bad' cholesterol, LDL deposits cholesterol in artery walls, contributing to plaque buildup and atherosclerosis. LDL is the primary target for cardiovascular risk reduction through diet, exercise, and medication.

Often called 'good' cholesterol, HDL carries cholesterol away from arteries back to the liver for removal. Higher HDL levels are protective against heart disease. Exercise, healthy fats, and moderate alcohol intake can raise HDL.

The most common type of fat in the body, stored for energy. Elevated triglycerides — often from excess sugar, alcohol, or calories — increase cardiovascular risk and can cause pancreatitis at very high levels.

Non-HDL cholesterol is the total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol, representing all "bad" cholesterols. High levels can increase the risk of heart disease.

The primary electrolyte regulating fluid balance and blood pressure. Sodium is essential for nerve impulses and muscle contractions. Abnormal levels can cause confusion, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias.

A critical electrolyte for heart rhythm, muscle contractions, and nerve function. Both high and low potassium can cause dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. Levels are influenced by kidney function, medications, and diet.

An electrolyte that works with sodium to maintain fluid balance, blood pressure, and acid-base balance. Chloride abnormalities often accompany sodium abnormalities and can indicate dehydration, kidney disease, or metabolic disorders.

A key component of the body's acid-base buffering system. Bicarbonate levels reflect the balance between acids and bases in the blood. Abnormal values help diagnose metabolic acidosis or alkalosis.

A waste product from protein breakdown, processed by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Elevated urea levels can indicate kidney dysfunction, dehydration, high-protein diet, or gastrointestinal bleeding.

A waste product from normal muscle metabolism, filtered by the kidneys. Blood creatinine levels reflect kidney filtration capacity. Elevated levels may indicate impaired kidney function, dehydration, or excessive muscle breakdown.

If too much urate is produced or not enough is excreted, it can accumulate and lead to gout – an inflammation that occurs in joints.

An estimated measure of how well your kidneys filter waste from the blood. It's calculated from creatinine levels, age, sex, and race. eGFR is the primary marker used to stage chronic kidney disease.

Bilirubin is a substance produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. High levels can lead to jaundice and indicate liver or bile duct problems.

Elevated levels may indicate a liver or bile duct blockage.

An enzyme found in the liver, bones, kidneys, and digestive system. Elevated ALP can indicate bile duct obstruction, liver disease, or bone disorders. It's normally higher in children and during pregnancy due to bone growth.

An enzyme found in the liver, heart, and muscles. While less liver-specific than ALT, elevated AST can indicate liver damage, heart attack, or muscle injury. The AST/ALT ratio helps distinguish between different liver conditions.

A liver enzyme that helps convert proteins into energy. ALT is found primarily in the liver, making it a highly specific marker for liver damage. Elevated levels may indicate hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or medication-related liver injury.

A liver enzyme sensitive to alcohol use and bile duct problems. GGT is often the first liver enzyme to rise when bile ducts are blocked. Combined with ALP, it helps determine whether elevated ALP is from liver or bone.

The most abundant protein in blood, produced by the liver. Albumin maintains blood volume and pressure, and transports hormones, vitamins, and drugs. Low levels indicate liver disease, kidney disease, malnutrition, or chronic inflammation.

A group of proteins in blood including antibodies (immunoglobulins), transport proteins, and enzymes. Elevated globulin can indicate chronic infection, inflammation, or blood cancers. Calculated by subtracting albumin from total protein.

Measures the combined amount of albumin and globulin proteins in your blood. These proteins are essential for fighting infections, blood clotting, and transporting substances throughout the body.

If you have diabetes your body doesn't process glucose effectively.

An enzyme found in nearly all body tissues. Elevated LDH is a general marker of tissue damage and can indicate liver disease, heart attack, anemia, muscle injury, or certain cancers.

A mineral essential for oxygen transport (in hemoglobin), energy production, and immune function. Serum iron measures the amount circulating in blood, but ferritin and TIBC provide a more complete picture of iron status.

Transferrin is a protein that binds and transports iron in the blood. Abnormal levels can indicate iron metabolism disorders.

The percentage of transferrin (iron-transporting protein) that is carrying iron. Calculated from serum iron and TIBC. Low saturation indicates iron deficiency; high saturation may indicate hemochromatosis (iron overload).

The primary iron storage protein. Ferritin reflects total body iron stores and is the first marker to drop in iron deficiency. However, ferritin also rises with inflammation, infection, and liver disease, which can mask true iron deficiency.

The most abundant mineral in the body, essential for bone health, muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting. Blood calcium is tightly regulated by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D. Abnormal levels can indicate parathyroid disorders.

Calcium adjusted for albumin levels to provide a more accurate measure of physiologically active calcium. Important because total calcium can appear falsely low when albumin is low, even if actual calcium is normal.

A mineral essential for bone formation, energy metabolism (ATP), and acid-base balance. Phosphate levels are inversely related to calcium and regulated by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D.