Blood Test Library
Friendly, plain-language explanations of common lab markers. Tap any card to learn more.
Full blood count
Haemoglobin
Measures the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
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Red blood cell count
Measures the number of red blood cells in the blood.
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Haematocrit
Measures the proportion of blood made up by red blood cells.
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MCV
Measures the average size of red blood cells.
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MCH (Mean corpuscular haemoglobin)
Measures the average amount of haemoglobin inside each red blood cell.
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MCHC
Measures the average concentration of haemoglobin in red blood cells.
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RDW
Measures variation in the size of red blood cells.
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White blood cell count
Measures the number of white blood cells in the blood.
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Neutrophils
Measures a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection.
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Lymphocytes
Measures a type of white blood cell involved in immune responses.
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Platelets
Measures the cells that help blood clot.
Learn more →Iron and vitamins
Ferritin
Measures the body’s iron stores.
Learn more →Iron and vitamins
Serum iron
Measures the amount of iron circulating in the blood.
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Transferrin
Measures the main protein that carries iron in the blood.
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Transferrin saturation
Measures how much iron is bound to transferrin.
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Total iron-binding capacity
Measures the blood’s capacity to bind iron with transferrin.
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Folate
Measures a B vitamin needed for red blood cell production.
Learn more →Iron and vitamins
Vitamin B12
Measures a vitamin important for nerves and red blood cells.
Learn more →Iron and vitamins
Active B12
Measures the active form of vitamin B12 in the blood.
Learn more →Iron and vitamins
Vitamin D
Measures a vitamin important for bone and muscle health.
Learn more →Iron and vitamins
Magnesium
Measures an essential mineral involved in many body processes.
Learn more →Iron and vitamins
Calcium
Measures a mineral important for bones, muscles, and nerves.
Learn more →Kidney function
Creatinine
Measures a waste product used to estimate kidney function.
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eGFR
Estimates how well the kidneys filter blood.
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Urea
Measures a waste product made when the body breaks down protein.
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Sodium
Measures the level of sodium in the blood.
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Potassium
Measures the level of potassium in the blood.
Learn more →Kidney function
Chloride
Measures the level of chloride in the blood.
Learn more →Kidney function
Bicarbonate
Measures the blood’s buffering substance that helps balance acidity.
Learn more →Kidney function
Uric acid
Measures a waste product made when the body breaks down purines.
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Albumin-to-creatinine ratio
Measures how much albumin is being lost in the urine.
Learn more →Liver function
ALT
Measures an enzyme released when liver cells are injured.
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AST
Measures an enzyme found in the liver and other tissues.
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ALP
Measures an enzyme linked to the liver and bones.
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GGT
Measures an enzyme linked to the liver and bile ducts.
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Bilirubin
Measures a pigment made when red blood cells are broken down.
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Albumin
Measures the main protein made by the liver.
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Total protein
Measures the total amount of protein in the blood.
Learn more →Thyroid
TSH
Measures thyroid-stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland.
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Free T4
Measures the active thyroid hormone that circulates freely.
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Free T3
Measures the active form of thyroid hormone in the blood.
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Thyroid peroxidase antibodies
Measures antibodies linked to autoimmune thyroid disease.
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Thyroglobulin antibodies
Measures antibodies linked to thyroid tissue inflammation.
Learn more →Diabetes
HbA1c
Measures average blood sugar over the last few months.
Learn more →Diabetes
Fasting glucose
Measures blood sugar after a period without eating.
Learn more →Diabetes
Random glucose
Measures blood sugar at any time of day.
Learn more →Diabetes
Insulin
Measures the hormone that helps move glucose into cells.
Learn more →Cholesterol
Total cholesterol
Measures all cholesterol in the blood.
Learn more →Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol
Measures the main cholesterol fraction often called bad cholesterol.
Learn more →Cholesterol
HDL cholesterol
Measures the cholesterol fraction often called good cholesterol.
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Triglycerides
Measures a type of fat in the blood.
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Non-HDL cholesterol
Measures cholesterol carried in potentially harmful particles.
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Total cholesterol-to-HDL ratio
Compares total cholesterol with the protective HDL fraction.
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Lipoprotein(a)
Measures a cholesterol-carrying particle linked to inherited risk.
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ApoB
Measures the main protein in many cholesterol-carrying particles.
Learn more →Inflammation
CRP
Measures a marker of inflammation in the body.
Learn more →Inflammation
ESR
Measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a sample.
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