Find the test name on the lab report
Match each test name to its result value
Check the reference range listed next to the result
Compare your result to the reference range
Note any flags (H = high, L = low, A = abnormal, flagged items)
Record key measures for each panel (e.g., CBC, CMP, lipids, thyroid)
For CBC: review WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW), and platelets
For CMP: review electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate), kidney function (BUN, creatinine, eGFR), glucose, and liver enzymes (AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase) plus bilirubin and albumin
For lipids: review total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and non-HDL (if listed)
For thyroid: review TSH and free T4 (and free T3 if listed)
For A1c (if listed): compare to the lab’s reference range or the provided interpretation range
For iron studies (if listed): review ferritin, serum iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation
For vitamin levels (if listed): review vitamin D, B12, folate with the lab’s reference range
For inflammation/markers (if listed): review CRP, ESR, or others shown
Check units carefully (mg/dL, mmol/L, g/dL, IU/L, etc.)
Confirm whether values are fasting or non-fasting (especially glucose and lipids)
Look for specimen notes (e.g., fasting status, timing, collection issues)
Note whether results are absolute numbers or percentages (common in differential counts)
For differential WBCs: review neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils and their percentages/absolute counts
Review urine tests (if listed): review specific gravity, protein, blood, leukocyte esterase, nitrites, and microscopy
Review coagulation tests (if listed): review PT/INR and aPTT
Review hormone tests (if listed): match to the correct units and reference ranges for your lab and sex/age if provided
If multiple results are listed over time, compare trends, not just single values
Bring the report and your questions to a clinician for interpretation in context of symptoms, history, and medications
Share any abnormal or flagged results plus the reference ranges and units when asking questions