Lab tests explained in plain words

What the reference range means, what high and low values suggest, and when to see a doctor. No medical jargon.

• Blood chemistry — blood chemistry in plain language: liver, kidneys, metabolism, lipids
• Cholesterol — total cholesterol, LDL and HDL: normal ranges and what they mean
• Complete blood count — how to read a CBC: the main values and their normal ranges, in plain words
• Creatinine — kidney function: normal creatinine, high and low results
• ESR — erythrocyte sedimentation rate: normal range and what a raised result means
• Ferritin — your body’s iron stores: normal, low and high
• Folate — folate: normal range, high and low levels
• Glucose — blood sugar: normal fasting range, high and low levels
• Hemoglobin — hemoglobin in blood: normal range, low (anemia), high
• TSH — thyroid hormone: normal range, high, low
• Vitamin B12 — vitamin B12: normal range, low and high levels
• Vitamin D — 25-OH vitamin D: deficiency, normal levels, what your result means
• White blood cells — the white cells of your blood: normal range, high and low counts

This material is for general information only. It is not a medical opinion and does not replace a consultation with a doctor. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory and the method — rely on the range printed on your own report. Your doctor makes the final interpretation. This page is a translation of the Russian original. The medical review applies to the original text.