Blood Test Results Belconnen: What Your Results Mean

The blood test results may be confusing. Numbers, abbreviations, and reference ranges may not be immediately apparent. It’s natural to wonder what these results mean for your health. In fact, the results of a blood test are not always enough to be useful, and they must be interpreted by a professional and put into context.

The information in this guide is intended to explain common blood tests and the information they may provide. Please note this is information for learning purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for a GP consultation regarding your personal outcome.

Why Do Doctors Order Blood Tests?

Your GP can use blood test results as one of their most valuable tools. A blood test can provide clues to your body’s cellular activity. Proteins, fats, glucose, hormones, and many other substances in your blood are indicators of your health.

GPs might request blood tests to:

• Check for infections or immune system problems
• Keep an eye on chronic diseases such as diabetes or high blood cholesterol
• Determine the function of organs (liver, kidneys)
• Measure hormone levels
• Test for deficiencies in nutrients
• Investigate symptoms you’ve been experiencing

Each test measures a different element of your blood, so your GP may select tests depending on your symptoms, your past medical history and the tests they wish to perform.

Identify Common Blood Test Results

Full Blood Count (FBC)

A full blood count is an examination of various cells in the blood. It consists of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Red blood cells transport oxygen to all parts of the body. If the count is low (anaemia), you may feel tired or short of breath. Abnormal levels of white blood cells may indicate an infection or immune disorder. Platelets are the blood cells that clot your blood.

The FBC also checks the level of haemoglobin, which transports oxygen to the body’s cells in red blood cells. Low haemoglobin is typically indicative of anaemia, which may be due to iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, or other factors.

Iron Studies

Iron is needed to transport oxygen in your blood. When your iron levels are low, your body can’t make sufficient healthy red blood cells. You may be tired or experience shortness of breath. However, in some instances, the iron level is too high and needs to be investigated.

Your GP will examine some results relating to iron together: ferritin, serum iron and transferrin saturation. An abnormal result is not necessarily an indication of an iron problem and should be interpreted in the context of the individual case.

Blood Glucose and HbA1c

Blood glucose is the amount of sugar in your blood. This is carefully regulated by your body. Fasting (no food before the test) and high levels could indicate prediabetes or diabetes. Low levels result in dizziness, sweating, and confusion.

The HbA1c is not the same as a blood sugar level measurement. It displays the average blood sugar readings for the last three months. This will provide your GP with a more complete picture of your body’s blood sugar control over time than just a picture at a single point.

Cholesterol Levels

Your body requires cholesterol, but excess cholesterol in the bloodstream can lead to an increased risk for heart disease. Your GP will look at:

• All cholesterol in your blood (total cholesterol)
• Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol (higher levels, the greater the risk of disease)
• HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol; the higher the better for your heart)
• Another type of blood fat: triglycerides

While these numbers are important, they are only a part of the picture of heart health. The factors of your true risk include age, family history, blood pressure, and lifestyle.

Liver Function Tests

These tests check if your liver is working properly. Your liver is very resilient and mildly abnormal results don’t necessarily indicate serious disease. Common causes of liver function changes include viral infections, side effects from medications or just being over a cold.

Common tests are ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin. Your GP will consider patterns of test results, rather than a single number.

Kidney Function Tests

They provide information about the effectiveness of your kidneys in removing waste products from the blood. These include your creatinine and urea levels and your GP may work out your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate). Kidney function can be affected by dehydration, medications and many temporary conditions—not just kidney disease.

Your GP may retest your kidney function after a while if the results are abnormal, to check that the abnormality is temporary.

Thyroid Function

The thyroid is a small gland which regulates a lot of body functions. The primary test is typically TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). Your GP may also measure T3 and T4 if they are concerned about TSH. Thyroid disorders are prevalent and treatable, but they require proper investigation.

What Does an Abnormal Result Actually Mean?

One abnormal result does not necessarily indicate a serious condition. A single test may be outside the reference range for a variety of reasons.

The ranges are based on what is normal in healthy people; healthy people are not normal. Your score may be unusual when compared to the average of the population, but normal when compared to you. There are certain ranges of values that some people lie outside and are completely healthy.

Abnormal results may indicate:

• The passing of a loved one or a short illness
• Recent medication changes
• Dietary factors
• Dehydration
• The time of day or your sleep pattern
• Lab variation (blood tests are not exactly accurate)
• A condition that should be assessed and treated

That’s why your GP would not normally rely on just one abnormal result. They take a holistic approach to your patient and consider patterns, trends and your overall clinical picture.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Context Switching

Your age matters. A higher blood glucose level may be more concerning for a young person than an older person. Your medications are important; many drugs will impact blood tests. Your symptoms are important – if you are feeling unwell with a fever, some results may change temporarily.

Your medical history is very important. A person with a family history of heart disease should consider his/her cholesterol levels differently than a person who does not have a family history of heart disease. Your lifestyle is also important. Results may be affected by recent weight loss or gain, enhanced exercise or stress, or recent illness.

One normal or abnormal test result alone doesn’t provide much information. Your GP puts results into context with:

• Your own medical history
• Your symptoms
• Your other recent test results will show up here
• Medications and supplements currently being used
• Your family history
• The age and risk factors you have
• Repeat testing if necessary

That’s why it is vital to talk to your GP at Belconnen General Practice about your test results – they can see the full clinical picture that blood tests can’t.

Most Frequent Errors in Interpretation of Blood Test Reports

• Comparing with another person’s results. All human bodies are unique. If your friend has normal cholesterol, but yours is not normal, it is not abnormal. Medical tests are individualised, not comparative.
• If one of the results is abnormal, the diagnosis is confirmed. Blood tests are used to screen and support diagnosis, rather than make a definitive diagnosis. Your GP will typically require patterns, symptoms, and sometimes further investigation.
• Ignoring reference ranges. Always look at what the reference range is. A few labs employ slightly different ranges. A value within the range of one lab may not be within the range of another; therefore, making comparisons without checking the range is misleading.
• Investigating numbers individually, out of context. Searching online for information about your TSH or cholesterol test without all of your results, medical history and symptoms can cause undue worry. Numbers have meaning only in context.
• Assuming that all tests will be requested simultaneously. The tests are different for different questions. Tests are selected by your GP depending on what he/she is looking into. This is effective and economical.

When to Talk to Your GP About Your Results?

Even though the blood test results appear normal, it is always best to check with your GP. But, if you have any of the following, you should definitely make an appointment:

• Results are very different from normal
• Multiple results are abnormal
• You have symptoms you are concerned about
• You are not familiar with your results
• You don’t know what the outcomes are for the next steps
• The results from previous tests were abnormal and new results have been received

If there is no call from the doctor, don’t assume that everything is fine. Your GP’s practice should have a way of communicating results, but it’s always fair game to request a results discussion. Our team at Belconnen General Practice can tell you exactly what your results mean for you, based on your health.

How to Use Your Results

Here’s what to do with your blood test results:

1. Store them in a secure place. You may have to cite them later or to experts. Ask your GP’s practice for copies.
2. List any questions prior to your appointment. This will help you to make the most of your consultation time.
3. Describe symptoms you are having. Even symptoms that you believe are not related may be useful for helping your GP understand the results.
4. Discuss what needs to be done next. Do you require further testing? Lifestyle changes? Medication? Make sure that you know what you are going to do.
5. Understand the timeline. There are some abnormal results that require immediate attention. Some may need to make minor modifications to enhance. Be aware of what your GP expects to occur next.

In The End

While blood test results are important information, they are just part of your health picture. It is important to know what the common tests are measuring, but it is important to be able to interpret your own results, which will require professional medical knowledge and the consideration of your overall situation.

Your GP is best suited to explain your results, to give them context and to give you guidance as to what to do next. If you have had results that you are not sure of or you are concerned about, please contact us to discuss. Your GP is there for just that reason.

If results are concerning, do not ignore them, but if results are not normal, don’t think that it means there is a serious illness. With the correct advice, most blood test abnormalities can be treated or corrected. Your Belconnen General Practice healthcare team can help you interpret your results and help you achieve good health.

FAQs

Q1: What happened that my results were normal last year and abnormal this year?

A: Your body is changing with the years. Blood test results are affected by a variety of factors such as age, lifestyle changes, medications, weight changes and new health conditions. Trends can be detected through annual testing. If your results are abnormal following normal results, you should seek further advice from your GP to find out what has changed. This can be normal ageing, a new condition that needs to be managed or simply a natural variation.

Q2: If my result is abnormal does it definitely indicate that I have a disease?

A: Not necessarily. A lot of the abnormal results are temporary, brought on by infection, stress, dehydration or the effects of medication. Others must be investigated, but may not mean serious disease. Your GP considers all the information – your symptoms, medical history, other results and trends – before making any decisions. In some cases the results will require further testing to establish a pattern before proceeding to further investigation.

Q3: May I have another opinion of my blood test results?

A: Of course. You can request a copy of your results and get a second opinion from another doctor if you are worried about your results or don’t understand your GP’s interpretation. You may also seek further interpretation from your GP who you originally saw. It is acceptable that there are several conflicting views on troubling findings.

Q4: Before taking a blood test, what can I do to ensure accurate results?

A: Consult your GP as some tests require fasting (no food before the test) and others do not. In general, drink plenty of fluid, avoid unusual stress as far as possible and inform your GP of any new medicines or supplements taken. Do not exercise heavily just prior to testing. If you are feeling unwell, you should advise this at time of booking as many results are affected by acute illness.

Q5: Blood tests should be performed every six months.

A: This will depend on your age, health and risk factors. Routine testing may be recommended for healthy adults every 2-3 years, or more often for those with chronic diseases such as diabetes. Your GP will suggest a screening schedule that is suitable for you and local screening guidelines.