How to Read a Lab Report: CBC, Lipid, Liver & Kidney Tests Explained

Lab reports can look intimidating — rows of abbreviations, numbers, and reference ranges. But once you know what each section measures, your report becomes a clear snapshot of your health. Here is how to read the four most common blood panels.

Reference ranges: the key to every report

Next to each result you will see a reference range (also called the normal range). A value inside the range is typical for a healthy population; a value outside it is flagged High (H) or Low (L). Ranges can differ slightly between labs, so always compare your result to the range printed on your own report.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The CBC measures the cells in your blood and is one of the most common tests. Key values include:

• Haemoglobin (Hb): oxygen-carrying protein; low levels suggest anaemia.
• White blood cells (WBC): immune cells; high levels can indicate infection or inflammation.
• Platelets: help blood clot; very high or low counts need follow-up.

Lipid profile (cholesterol)

A lipid profile measures fats in your blood and helps estimate heart-disease risk. Generally, lower LDL ('bad' cholesterol) and triglycerides are better, while higher HDL ('good' cholesterol) is protective. Your doctor interprets these alongside your overall cardiovascular risk.

Liver function test (LFT)

LFTs include enzymes such as ALT, AST, and ALP, plus bilirubin. Raised enzymes can signal that liver cells are stressed or inflamed, from causes ranging from fatty liver to medication effects.

Kidney function test (KFT/RFT)

Kidney panels measure creatinine, urea, and eGFR. A rising creatinine or falling eGFR suggests the kidneys are filtering less efficiently and warrants medical review.

When to act on a result

A single out-of-range value is not necessarily a diagnosis — context matters. Bring any flagged results to your doctor, especially if several values trend in the same direction or change sharply over time. Tracking your reports over months, rather than reading them in isolation, gives the clearest picture.