# Lab test results explained

> Doctano turns the lab reports you already have into one private, source-linked health timeline, with an AI that answers from your own results.

One page for each result: what it measures, the unit it is reported in, what can move it, and what to compare it with.

This is the Markdown version of https://doctano.com/tests/. The HTML page is the canonical version.

These pages explain the tests people meet on a blood report, from HbA1c and LDL cholesterol to MCV, TSH, and NT-proBNP. Each covers what the test measures, its units, what can move it, and what to compare it with. None prints a reference range, because the range on your report is the one that applies.

## Tests by system

| System | Tests covered | Panel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Metabolic | HbA1c, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, post-prandial glucose | [Diabetes panel](https://doctano.com/panels/diabetes-panel) |
| Lipids and cardiac risk | Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, non-HDL, ApoB, Lp(a), hs-CRP, homocysteine | [Lipid profile](https://doctano.com/panels/lipid-profile), [Cardiac risk](https://doctano.com/panels/cardiac-risk-panel) |
| Liver | ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, albumin, total protein | [Liver function test](https://doctano.com/panels/liver-function-test) |
| Kidney | Creatinine, eGFR, urea, uric acid, UACR | [Kidney function test](https://doctano.com/panels/kidney-function-test) |
| Blood count | Haemoglobin, haematocrit, MCV, MCH, RDW, platelets, MPV, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, ESR | [Complete blood count](https://doctano.com/panels/complete-blood-count) |
| Thyroid, vitamins, and iron | TSH, free T4, free T3, TPO antibodies, vitamin D, B12, folate, ferritin, iron | [Thyroid](https://doctano.com/panels/thyroid-profile), [Vitamin](https://doctano.com/panels/vitamin-panel), [Iron](https://doctano.com/panels/iron-studies) |
| Electrolytes and hormones | Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, testosterone, cortisol, prolactin, PSA | [Hormone panel](https://doctano.com/panels/hormone-panel) |
| Other | D-dimer, INR, LDH, amylase, lipase, NT-proBNP | No single panel |

## Glucose and insulin

- [HbA1c](https://doctano.com/tests/hba1c): the longer glucose view, its two scales, and what can move it.
- [Fasting glucose](https://doctano.com/tests/fasting-glucose): glucose after a fast, a snapshot rather than an average.
- [Fasting insulin](https://doctano.com/tests/fasting-insulin): insulin after a fast, read with glucose rather than alone.
- [HOMA-IR](https://doctano.com/tests/homa-ir): a calculated index from fasting insulin and glucose.
- [Post-prandial glucose](https://doctano.com/tests/post-prandial-glucose): glucose after a meal, where timing is part of the result.

## Cholesterol and triglycerides

- [Total cholesterol](https://doctano.com/tests/total-cholesterol): the sum of cholesterol carried in lipoproteins.
- [LDL cholesterol](https://doctano.com/tests/ldl-cholesterol): cholesterol in LDL particles, often calculated.
- [HDL cholesterol](https://doctano.com/tests/hdl-cholesterol): cholesterol in HDL particles, and why one number is not the whole picture.
- [Triglycerides](https://doctano.com/tests/triglycerides): the fat carried in lipoproteins, sensitive to recent food.
- [Non-HDL cholesterol](https://doctano.com/tests/non-hdl-cholesterol): total minus HDL, a calculated atherogenic fraction.
- [Apolipoprotein B](https://doctano.com/tests/apob): a count of atherogenic particles, not the same as LDL cholesterol.
- [Lipoprotein(a)](https://doctano.com/tests/lipoprotein-a): a genetically influenced lipoprotein, measured separately.
- [hs-CRP](https://doctano.com/tests/hs-crp): a low-grade inflammation marker, not specific to the heart.
- [Homocysteine](https://doctano.com/tests/homocysteine): an amino acid intermediate with many possible contributors.

## Liver enzymes and proteins

- [ALT (SGPT)](https://doctano.com/tests/alt): a liver enzyme read with AST and the rest of the panel.
- [AST (SGOT)](https://doctano.com/tests/ast): an enzyme from liver and muscle, read with ALT.
- [ALP](https://doctano.com/tests/alp): an enzyme from liver and bone, not always a liver signal.
- [GGT](https://doctano.com/tests/ggt): a liver and bile-duct enzyme, read with ALP.
- [Bilirubin](https://doctano.com/tests/bilirubin): a breakdown product of haemoglobin, reported in fractions.
- [Albumin](https://doctano.com/tests/albumin): the main protein made by the liver, affected by more than the liver.
- [Total protein](https://doctano.com/tests/total-protein): albumin plus globulins, a sum rather than one measurement.

## Filtration and urine protein

- [Creatinine](https://doctano.com/tests/creatinine): a muscle breakdown product cleared by the kidneys.
- [eGFR](https://doctano.com/tests/egfr): an estimate of filtration, calculated rather than measured.
- [Urea (BUN)](https://doctano.com/tests/urea): a nitrogen waste product; BUN and urea are different scales.
- [Uric acid](https://doctano.com/tests/uric-acid): a purine breakdown product affected by diet and excretion.
- [Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio](https://doctano.com/tests/urine-albumin-creatinine-ratio): a calculated urine ratio, not a single urine test.

## Cells and indices

- [Haemoglobin](https://doctano.com/tests/hemoglobin): the oxygen-carrying protein, read with the red cell indices.
- [Haematocrit](https://doctano.com/tests/hematocrit): the share of blood volume occupied by red cells.
- [MCV](https://doctano.com/tests/mcv): the average red cell size, a calculated index.
- [MCH](https://doctano.com/tests/mch): the average haemoglobin per red cell.
- [RDW](https://doctano.com/tests/rdw): variation in red cell size, a calculated index.
- [Platelets](https://doctano.com/tests/platelets): cell fragments involved in clotting, read with the film.
- [MPV](https://doctano.com/tests/mpv): average platelet volume, not standardized across analysers.
- [White blood cell count](https://doctano.com/tests/wbc): the white cell count, read with the differential.
- [Neutrophils](https://doctano.com/tests/neutrophils): the most common white cell, as a percentage and a count.
- [Lymphocytes](https://doctano.com/tests/lymphocytes): white cells of the immune response, percentage and count.
- [Eosinophils](https://doctano.com/tests/eosinophils): white cells linked to allergic and parasitic responses.
- [ESR](https://doctano.com/tests/esr): an indirect inflammation marker, not specific.

## Hormones, vitamins, and iron

- [TSH](https://doctano.com/tests/tsh): the pituitary signal that regulates thyroid hormones.
- [Free T4](https://doctano.com/tests/free-t4): the unbound thyroid hormone, read with TSH.
- [Free T3](https://doctano.com/tests/free-t3): the active thyroid hormone, not the only thyroid test.
- [TPO antibodies](https://doctano.com/tests/tpo-antibodies): an autoimmune marker that can be present without disease.
- [Vitamin D](https://doctano.com/tests/vitamin-d): 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the storage measure.
- [Vitamin B12](https://doctano.com/tests/vitamin-b12): a vitamin with dietary and absorption causes of low values.
- [Folate](https://doctano.com/tests/folate): a vitamin read with B12 and the blood count.
- [Ferritin](https://doctano.com/tests/ferritin): an iron-storage protein and an acute-phase reactant.
- [Serum iron](https://doctano.com/tests/iron): the circulating iron fraction, which fluctuates.

## Minerals and hormones

- [Sodium](https://doctano.com/tests/sodium): the main electrolyte outside cells, tied to water balance.
- [Potassium](https://doctano.com/tests/potassium): the main electrolyte inside cells, sensitive to sample handling.
- [Calcium](https://doctano.com/tests/calcium): total and ionised calcium, read with albumin.
- [Magnesium](https://doctano.com/tests/magnesium): a mostly intracellular mineral, imperfectly measured in serum.
- [Testosterone](https://doctano.com/tests/testosterone): a sex hormone where timing and repeat testing matter.
- [Cortisol](https://doctano.com/tests/cortisol): a stress hormone with a daily rhythm.
- [Prolactin](https://doctano.com/tests/prolactin): a pituitary hormone raised by many states and medicines.
- [PSA](https://doctano.com/tests/psa): a prostate protein, not specific to cancer.

## Clotting, enzymes, and cardiac markers

- [D-dimer](https://doctano.com/tests/d-dimer): a fibrin breakdown product used in specific contexts.
- [INR](https://doctano.com/tests/inr): a standardized clotting time, unitless.
- [LDH](https://doctano.com/tests/ldh): an enzyme found in many tissues, not organ-specific.
- [Amylase](https://doctano.com/tests/amylase): an enzyme from the pancreas and salivary glands.
- [Lipase](https://doctano.com/tests/lipase): a pancreatic enzyme, more specific than amylase.
- [NT-proBNP](https://doctano.com/tests/nt-probnp): a cardiac peptide released under strain.

## Test page questions

**How do I find a test on this page?**

Tests are grouped by system: metabolic, lipids, liver, kidney, blood count, thyroid and vitamins, electrolytes and hormones, and other tests. Start with the heading printed on your report, then open the test page for that result.

**Why do these test pages not print a normal range?**

Reference ranges differ by laboratory, method, age, sex, and clinical context. The range printed on the report that produced a value is the one that applies, and Doctano keeps that range with the result instead of replacing it with a general chart.

**Which test page should I start with?**

Start with the value that was flagged or that you are asking about, then open its panel page and the related tests. A result is easier to read with the panel and the earlier report beside it.

**Are these test pages medical advice?**

No. They explain what a test measures, its units, and what can move it. They do not diagnose, interpret an individual result, or recommend treatment. Discuss your results with a qualified professional.

## Limits

**These pages are not a diagnosis.** They explain what a test measures and what can move it. Verify every value against the original report and discuss the result with a qualified professional.

## Links

- [Homepage](https://doctano.com/)
- [Lab report tracker](https://doctano.com/lab-report-tracker)
- [All panels](https://doctano.com/panels/)
- [Tools](https://doctano.com/tools/)
- [How to read a lab report](https://doctano.com/guides/how-to-read-a-lab-report)
- [Reference ranges](https://doctano.com/guides/reference-ranges)
- [All guides](https://doctano.com/guides/)