Know Your Numbers
By Riva Rahl, MD, Cooper Clinic, Texoma LIVING WELL Magazine
Forget the actual process for getting your blood drawn, figuring out what your lab results mean can be just as scary and overwhelming! With so many acronyms, numbers and ranges, it can be difficult to keep track of your health levels.
Many blood lab results come in different formats, revealing different results. But it’s important to know what your numbers mean and what range you should be in. After all, these are some of the most important numbers you need to know about your health.
Lipid Panel
Cholesterol and triglycerides measure the concentrations of fats in the bloodstream. They are usually affected by exercise, diet and weight, although they can be hereditary. Triglycerides are essential for proper nerve function, but high levels can cause atherosclerosis and insulin resistance or fatty liver. Total cholesterol symbolizes all the kinds of fats in your blood, both good and bad. These values are important factors in determining risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Total Cholesterol – Ideal range is 130-200
- HDL (“Good” cholesterol) – Ideal range is 45-70 for men, 55-85 for women
- LDL (“Bad” cholesterol) – Ideal range is 65-130*
- Triglycerides – Ideal range is 45-125
*Generally it is adequate to aim for an LDL level below 130. Depending on risk factors, your target LDL may be below 100. If you’re at very high risk of heart disease, you may need to aim for an LDL level below 70.
Thyroid
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a marker of thyroid function, which is inversely related to level of thyroid hormone in the blood. Overactive thyroid could cause anxiety, tremors, heart racing, loss of bone density, weight loss or visual impairments. On the other hand, underactive thyroid could result in weight gain, constipation, depression, or dry skin. Oftentimes an underactive thyroid can be mistaken for depression. Thyroid disorders are common and have subtle symptoms so it’s really helpful to check on a regular basis.
Glucose is your blood sugar and comes from carbohydrate foods. It’s the main source of energy used in the body and is somewhat increased after you eat. Levels that remain high may indicate diabetes or pre-diabetes and cause damage to your eyes, nerves, kidneys and blood vessels.
- Glucose – Normal range is 74-99. Prediabetes is 100-125. Diabetes is 126 or higher.
Kidney Function
Blood area nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine are waste products passed by your kidneys. Mild elevations are common and often due to dehydration or medications such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications), but elevated numbers can indicate kidney impairment.
- BUN – Reference range is 9-24 for men, 8-25 for women
- Creatinine – Reference range is .60-1.30 for men, .60-1.20 for women
Bone Metabolism
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. The blood level of calcium may be normal even in individuals who do not get enough calcium in the diet. In fact, to provide adequate calcium for the muscles and heart, the body will utilize calcium from the bone, reducing bone density. Therefore it is important to discuss your calcium needs with your physician instead of relying upon your blood calcium level. Vitamin D is also important, as low levels are associated with poor bone mineralization and increased risk of certain cancers as well as autoimmune diseases, type II diabetes and heart disease.
- Calcium – Reference range is 8.5-10.1 for men, 8.4-10.2 for women
- Vitamin D – Reference range is 30-100
During a comprehensive physical exam at Cooper Clinic, vitamin D is tested during laboratory analysis. Most clinics do not include vitamin D results and you may need to request it.
Blood Count
White blood cells (WBC) fight infection and respond to inflammation. A high count usually means there is infection in the body. Red blood cells (RBC) carry oxygen to your tissues and carbon dioxide to your lungs. An elevated count could mean dehydration, and a low count could be a sign of anemia. Hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT) are also indices of red blood cell function; low values may indicate anemia. Platelets keep your blood “sticky” and a low count may cause easy bleeding or bruising whereas a very high count may make you more prone to a blood clot.
- WBC – Reference range is 4-10.9
- RBC – Reference range is 4.69-6.10 for men, 4.04-5.48 for women
- HGB – Reference range is 14.0-18.0 for men, 12-16 for women
- HCT – Reference range is 41.5-54.5 for men, 35.5-49 for women
Knowing these numbers provides a perfect start to a healthy lifestyle. Should you have any questions about these numbers, contact your physician.
For more information about Cooper Clinic, visit cooper-clinic.com or call 972-560-2667.
Dr. Riva Rahl is a preventive medicine physician at Cooper Clinic and serves as medical director of Cooper Wellness lifestyle modification program. She received a double Bachelor of Arts at Rice University and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. Rahl completed her internal medicine internship and residency, and a residency in emergency medicine, serving as chief resident for one year, at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Emergency Medicine and author of Physical Activity and Health Guidelines (Human Kinetics, 2010).
