PLAINCARE

Understand Your Blood Test Results

Free plain-English guides to the lab results that confuse people most. No medical jargon, no fear-mongering — just clear explanations.

High ALT (Liver Enzyme): What It Means

The direct answer first: what a mildly high ALT usually means, the 5 everyday causes, and exactly when to retest.

Fasting Glucose 7.1 mmol/L: Should You Worry?

The short answer first: what 7.1 means, why one reading isn't a verdict, and your 4 next steps.

Cholesterol Numbers Explained: LDL, HDL, Triglycerides

Total cholesterol 6.2, HDL 0.92, triglycerides 2.8 — here's what each number is actually telling you.

High Creatinine: What Does It Mean for Your Kidneys?

Creatinine 108, 115, 130 — the short answer first: why dehydration and muscle usually explain it, and your 1–2 week retest plan.

How to Read Your Blood Test Results (Step by Step)

A 5-minute method to read any lab report: the reference range, the flag column, and the 3 questions to ask your doctor.

Blood Test Sections Explained: CBC, Liver, Lipids, Kidney

What each panel of your report actually checks, its key markers, and what a flagged value in each section usually means.

Lab Results and Health Anxiety: How to Stop the Google Spiral

One flagged result shouldn't cost you a week of sleep. Why "slightly high" feels like "worst case" — and a calmer way to read your numbers.

High AST and ALT: What Both Liver Enzymes Tell You

The short answer first: why both enzymes rise together, what the AST/ALT ratio suggests, and the everyday causes behind most elevations.

High TSH with Normal T3/T4: What It Means

TSH 6.5 with normal thyroid hormones? The direct answer first: subclinical hypothyroidism, when it matters, and the retest plan.

Low eGFR: Should You Worry?

eGFR 72, 65 flagged low? The short answer first: why one low reading usually isn't kidney disease, and the 3-month retest plan.

High MCV and Anemia: What It Means

Big red cells plus low hemoglobin — the direct answer first: the B12/folate pattern, and the two follow-up tests to ask for.

High Triglycerides: What It Means

Triglycerides 2.5 flagged high? The short answer first: why sugar and alcohol matter more than fat, and the changes that work fast.

Low Vitamin D: What It Means

Vitamin D 18 flagged low? The direct answer first: why it's so common, what deficient vs insufficient means, and the safe fix.

High HbA1c: Prediabetes Explained

HbA1c 5.9%, 6.2%? The short answer first: prediabetes vs diabetes, why it's the most reversible flag, and your retest plan.

High Uric Acid: What It Means

Uric acid 480 flagged high? The direct answer first: what it means for gout and kidney stones, the everyday causes, and your 4–6 week retest plan.

Low Neutrophils: Should You Worry?

Neutrophils 1.3 flagged low? The short answer first: why a mild drop is usually temporary, the common causes, and when it actually needs attention.

Low TSH: What Does It Mean?

TSH 0.12 flagged low? The direct answer first: what a suppressed TSH usually means, the mirror case of high TSH, and your 4–6 week retest plan.

Low Platelets: Should You Worry?

Platelets 118 flagged low? The short answer first: why a mild dip is usually temporary, the everyday causes, and when a low count actually needs attention.

High Bilirubin: Should You Worry?

Bilirubin 28 flagged high? The short answer first: why a mildly high result is often Gilbert's — a harmless liver quirk — and when it points to the liver or gallstones.

Low Ferritin: What Does It Mean?

Ferritin 12 flagged low? The direct answer first: why it means your iron stores are running low, the usual causes, and the safe fix.

Low White Blood Cell Count: Should You Worry?

WBC 3.4 flagged low? The short answer first: why a mildly low count is usually temporary, the common causes, and when it actually needs attention.

High GGT: What Does It Mean?

GGT 95 flagged high? The direct answer first: why alcohol, medicines and fatty liver are the usual suspects, and the simple retest that tells you more.

Low Hemoglobin: What It Means and When to Worry

Hemoglobin 11.4 flagged low? The short answer first: why iron, diet and recent blood loss usually explain it, and the levels and symptoms that need a doctor.

High CRP: What Does It Actually Mean?

CRP 24 flagged high? The direct answer first: CRP only says inflammation exists — not where. The everyday causes, and when it actually needs a doctor.

High Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): Should I Worry?

ALP flagged high? The short answer first: why a mildly high ALP alone is usually not an emergency, how the ALP+GGT pair tells you if it's liver or bone, and when it actually needs a doctor.

High ESR (Sed Rate): What Does It Mean?

ESR flagged high? The direct answer first: ESR only says inflammation exists — not where. The everyday causes, how it pairs with CRP, and when it actually needs a doctor.

High Neutrophils: Should You Worry?

Neutrophils flagged high? The direct answer first: why a raised count is usually your immune system's receipt for a recent fight — the everyday causes, the cancer question answered calmly, and when it needs a doctor.

High Potassium: Should You Worry?

Potassium flagged high? The direct answer first: why a single mildly high reading is usually the draw itself, the everyday causes, the kidney question, and your retest plan.

High Calcium: Should You Worry?

Calcium flagged high? The direct answer first: why a mildly high result is far more often a small overactive gland, the cancer question answered calmly, and your retest plan.

High BUN: What It Really Tells You

BUN flagged high? The short answer first: why a high BUN alone is usually not kidney failure, why it's read next to creatinine and eGFR, and your recheck plan.

Low Lymphocytes: What It Means

Lymphocytes flagged low? The short answer first: why a single low reading is often temporary and ordinary, the common causes, and when it actually needs attention.

Have your own results in hand?

Paste them in — get every line explained in plain English in under a minute.

Decode my results →