How to Read Your Blood Test Results

The Full Blood Count is the most frequently ordered blood test. It analyses three major cell types and multiple sub-parameters. Haemoglobin (Hb): the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Normal: 13 to 17 g/dL for men and 12 to 16 g/dL for women. Low haemoglobin means anaemia, causing fatigue, breathlessness, and pallor. Common causes in Malaysia include iron deficiency (especially in women and vegetarians), thalassaemia trait (affects around 5% of Malaysians), and vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. White Blood Cell Count (WBC): your infection-fighting army. Normal: 4,000 to 11,000 per microlitre. High WBC suggests active infection, inflammation, or in rare cases blood cancers. Low WBC can indicate viral infections including dengue, certain medications, or immune disorders. Platelet Count: essential for blood clotting. Normal: 150,000 to 400,000 per microlitre. Low platelets are a key feature of dengue fever and must be monitored closely. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): the average red blood cell size. Low MCV indicates iron deficiency or thalassaemia. High MCV indicates B12 or folate deficiency. Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): variability in red blood cell sizes — elevated with nutritional deficiencies. When you receive your FBC, look for any values marked with H for high or L for low and discuss these with your doctor. A single mildly abnormal value in context of otherwise normal results may be insignificant, but your doctor will determine the clinical relevance.

Two tests are central to diabetes detection and management. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): measures glucose in your blood after 10 to 12 hours without food. Normal is below 5.6 mmol/L. Pre-diabetes is 5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L. Diabetes is diagnosed at 7.0 mmol/L or above on two separate tests, or once if combined with symptoms. Limitation of FBS: it captures only a single moment. A stressful morning or minor illness can temporarily raise blood sugar. HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin): this test measures the percentage of haemoglobin that has glucose attached — a reflection of average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. It does not require fasting. Normal is below 5.7%. Pre-diabetes is 5.7 to 6.4%. Diabetes is diagnosed at 6.5% or above. Treatment target for existing diabetics: usually below 7.0%. HbA1c is the gold standard for diabetes monitoring. A diabetic patient should have this test every 3 months. For every 1% reduction in HbA1c, the risk of diabetes complications — kidney disease, blindness, and nerve damage — falls significantly. For context: an HbA1c of 7.0% corresponds roughly to an average blood sugar of 8.6 mmol/L.

The kidneys filter blood, remove waste, and regulate fluid balance. Malaysia has very high rates of chronic kidney disease, largely driven by diabetes and hypertension. Creatinine: a waste product of muscle metabolism, cleared by the kidneys. Normal varies by age and muscle mass but generally: men 60 to 110 umol/L, women 50 to 95 umol/L. Elevated creatinine indicates reduced kidney function. eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate): estimates what percentage of normal kidney function you retain. Above 90 is normal. 60 to 89 is mildly reduced. 30 to 59 is moderately reduced, indicating chronic kidney disease. Below 15 is kidney failure requiring dialysis. Urea: another waste product. Elevated with dehydration, kidney disease, or high protein intake. Normal is 2.5 to 8.0 mmol/L. Sodium and Potassium (electrolytes): critical for heart and nerve function. Abnormal levels can be dangerous and require prompt attention. Uric Acid: the waste product linked to gout. Normal is below 420 umol/L for men and below 360 for women. High uric acid can crystallise in joints causing gout attacks and may also be associated with kidney stones. If your kidney function is impaired, your doctor will identify the cause, adjust any kidney-toxic medications, and potentially refer you for specialist review.