What Do Your Blood Values Actually Mean?
You have had blood work done and received a report full of numbers, abbreviations, and reference ranges. Some values are flagged as abnormal, others seem fine – but what does it all mean? At our practice in Zürich Seefeld, I believe in health literacy. Understanding your blood results empowers you to take an active role in your health.
The Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Haemoglobin (Hb): The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Low values indicate anaemia; high values may suggest dehydration or polycythaemia.
White Blood Cells (WBC/Leukocytes): Your immune cells. Elevated levels suggest infection, inflammation, or stress. Very high levels may indicate leukaemia. Low levels can indicate immune suppression.
Platelets: Blood clotting cells. Low platelets increase bleeding risk; very high platelets may indicate inflammation or a haematological condition.
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): The average size of red blood cells. Small cells (low MCV) suggest iron deficiency; large cells (high MCV) suggest B12 or folate deficiency.
Metabolic Markers
Fasting glucose: Blood sugar after an overnight fast. Normal is below 5.6 mmol/L. Prediabetes: 5.6-6.9. Diabetes: 7.0 or above.
HbA1c: Average blood sugar over 2-3 months. Normal below 5.7%. Prediabetes: 5.7-6.4%. Diabetes: 6.5% or above.
Fasting insulin: Often not tested in standard panels but crucial for detecting insulin resistance early. I consider levels above 10 mU/L worth investigating.
Lipid Panel
Total cholesterol: Less meaningful than its components. A total number alone tells us little about cardiovascular risk.
LDL cholesterol: Often called “bad” cholesterol, though it is more nuanced. Context matters – particle size and number are more important than total LDL.
HDL cholesterol: “Good” cholesterol. Higher is generally better. Values above 1.5 mmol/L are protective.
Triglycerides: Fasting triglycerides reflect carbohydrate intake and insulin sensitivity more than fat intake. The triglyceride-to-HDL ratio is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular risk.
Thyroid Markers
TSH: The pituitary’s signal to the thyroid. High TSH suggests hypothyroidism; low TSH suggests hyperthyroidism. But TSH alone is insufficient – free T4, free T3, and antibodies complete the picture.
Liver and Kidney Function
ALT and AST: Liver enzymes. Elevation suggests liver inflammation – from fatty liver, alcohol, medications, or other causes.
GGT: Another liver enzyme, particularly sensitive to alcohol intake and bile duct problems.
Creatinine and eGFR: Kidney function markers. eGFR below 60 suggests reduced kidney function warranting further evaluation.
Key Nutrients
Ferritin: Your iron stores. Standard reference ranges start as low as 15 ng/mL, but I consider levels below 50 ng/mL suboptimal, particularly in the context of fatigue.
Vitamin D (25-OH): Optimal: 40-60 ng/mL. Below 30 is deficient. Below 20 is severely deficient.
Vitamin B12: Standard ranges start at 200 pg/mL, but neurological symptoms can occur below 400. I aim for levels above 500.
What We Do: Beyond Reference Ranges
Optimal vs. normal: I interpret results in the context of optimal health, not just disease absence. “Normal” reference ranges encompass 95% of the population – including many people who are unwell.
Pattern recognition: Individual values tell part of the story; the pattern across multiple markers tells the full story.
Clinical correlation: Numbers always need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms, history, and clinical picture.
Conclusion
Understanding your blood results is the first step toward taking control of your health. If you want a thorough blood panel with expert interpretation and personalised recommendations, book a consultation at our practice in Zürich Seefeld. I take the time to explain every result and what it means for your health.
