Understand Your Lab Results
Last medically reviewed: April 10, 2026
Plain-English explanations of common blood tests, biomarkers, and lab panels. Know what your numbers mean.
Common Biomarkers
Vitamin D
Bone health, immune function, and calcium absorption
Cholesterol
Heart health, LDL, HDL, and cardiovascular risk
TSH
Thyroid function and metabolic regulation
Glucose
Blood sugar levels and diabetes screening
Hemoglobin
Oxygen-carrying capacity and anemia screening
Ferritin
Iron storage levels and iron deficiency detection
Creatinine
Kidney function and filtration rate
CRP
Inflammation marker and infection indicator
Lab Panels
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. One of the most commonly ordered blood tests.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Glucose, electrolytes, kidney function, and liver enzymes. Provides a broad overview of organ function.
Lipid Panel
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. Used to assess cardiovascular disease risk.
Thyroid Panel
TSH, free T4, and free T3. Evaluates thyroid gland function and helps diagnose thyroid disorders.