Understand Your Pathology Lab Results
We break down your test results and explain what they mean. Our goal is to show you where your results fall within the normal range and highlight any trends or issues you should be aware of. With previous test results, we can also show how your values change over time, helping you track your health journey and have more informed discussions with your doctor.
Cholesterol Profile
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol is the sum of all the cholesterol in your blood. It's one of the key numbers doctors look at to understand your heart health and risk for cardiovascular disease.
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that's essential for your body. You need it to:
- Build cells
- Make hormones
- Help your body digest foods
But too much of the wrong kinds of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Think of Total Cholesterol as the overall picture, while LDL, HDL, and triglycerides are the important pieces of the puzzle.
Reference Range: 3.5 mmol/L - 5.2 mmol/L
Optimal Range: 3.9 mmol/L - 4.5 mmol/L
HDL Cholesterol (Good Cholesterol)
HDL stands for High-Density Lipoprotein — and it's often called the 'good' cholesterol.
That's because HDL helps protect your heart by acting like a clean-up crew:
- Removes excess cholesterol from your blood
- Clears cholesterol from artery walls
- Transports it to your liver for elimination
So, while cholesterol in general has a bad reputation, HDL is actually beneficial.
Remember: The higher your HDL, the better for your heart!
Reference Range: 1 mmol/L - 2.5 mmol/L
Optimal Range: 1.5 mmol/L - 2 mmol/L
LDL Cholesterol (Bad Cholesterol)
LDL stands for Low-Density Lipoprotein, and it's often called the 'bad' cholesterol.
LDL carries cholesterol into your arteries, where it can:
- Build up and form plaque
- Narrow or block blood flow
- Lead to atherosclerosis
Over time, this can increase your risk for:
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Circulation problems
Warning: You might not feel anything with high LDL — it's often a 'silent' risk. That's why routine blood tests are so important.
Reference Range: 1.8 mmol/L - 3.5 mmol/L
Optimal Range: 1.8 mmol/L - 2.6 mmol/L
Blood Glucose
Fasting Blood Glucose
Fasting blood glucose (also called fasting blood sugar) is a test that measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood after you haven't eaten for at least 8–12 hours — usually done first thing in the morning.
Key Facts:
- Your body gets glucose from the food you eat
- It's your main source of energy
- Too much glucose in the blood can signal problems
What high levels may indicate:
- Diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- Metabolic syndrome
Tip: Always fast properly before this test for accurate results.
Reference Range: 4 mmol/L - 5.6 mmol/L
Optimal Range: 4.2 mmol/L - 5 mmol/L
HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin)
HbA1c reflects your average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months.
How it works:
- Hb stands for hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells
- When sugar is present in blood, it sticks to hemoglobin (glycation)
- More sugar = more glycated hemoglobin
Why it's important:
- Diagnoses diabetes
- Monitors long-term glucose control
- Shows overall patterns, not daily fluctuations
Key Advantage: Unlike a single blood sugar reading, HbA1c isn't affected by what you ate today or yesterday — it shows your true average.
Reference Range: 4% - 5.7%
Optimal Range: 4.5% - 5.5%
Liver Function
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) is an enzyme found mostly in your liver. Your liver uses ALT to help process proteins.
Normal vs. Abnormal:
- Normally, ALT levels in your blood are low
- When the liver is damaged or inflamed, ALT can leak into the bloodstream
- Higher-than-normal ALT levels can signal liver stress or injury
Doctors use ALT to:
- Detect liver inflammation or damage
- Monitor ongoing liver conditions (hepatitis, fatty liver disease)
- Track medication side effects on the liver
- Check for damage from alcohol or toxins
Important: A single elevated ALT doesn't always mean serious liver disease — many factors can temporarily raise levels.
Reference Range: 10 U/L - 40 U/L
Optimal Range: 15 U/L - 30 U/L
About Reference Ranges
Reference ranges are based on population studies and represent the range where most healthy individuals fall. Values outside these ranges don't necessarily indicate a health problem but may warrant further investigation.
The optimal ranges shown represent targets that are generally associated with better health outcomes based on current research. Your personal targets may differ based on your individual health profile and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.