How a report is laid out
Most reports list each test with four things: the marker's name, your result, the unit, and the reference range. Some add a flag such as H (high) or L (low).
Reference ranges and flags
A reference range is where most healthy people's results fall, as set by that laboratory. Because labs use different equipment and methods, always read your result against the range printed beside it.
Outside the range is not a diagnosis
A result just outside a range is common and often not significant. Your Doctor looks at your symptoms, history and trends over time, not a single number.
Common markers, explained simply
| Marker | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Haemoglobin (Hb) | The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells |
| White cell count (WCC) | Cells that help fight infection |
| Platelets | Cells that help blood clot |
| Cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL) | Fats in the blood linked to heart health |
| HbA1c | Average blood sugar over roughly the last two to three months |
| Ferritin | Iron stores in the body |
| Vitamin D | A vitamin made from sunlight, often lower in Irish and UK winters |
| TSH | A hormone that shows how the thyroid is working |
| eGFR and creatinine | How well the kidneys are filtering |
| ALT, AST, GGT | Liver enzymes |
Questions to ask your Doctor
- Which results matter most for me, and why?
- Is this result a change from my previous tests?
- Does anything need to be repeated or followed up, and when?
- Is there anything I can do day to day that could help?
Keeping your results
Trends tell you more than a single test. Keeping every report in one place means any Doctor, in any county or country, can see how things have changed.
Moving GP?
Your own copies of results are especially useful when you change practice, because records can take time to transfer.
When it is urgent
If a laboratory or Doctor contacts you urgently about a result, follow their advice. If you have chest pain, difficulty breathing or feel suddenly very unwell, call 112 or 999.
Common questions
What does a reference range mean on a blood test?
It is the range of values seen in most healthy people, as set by that laboratory. Ranges differ between labs, so always compare a result with the range printed beside it.
Does a result outside the range mean something is wrong?
Not necessarily. Around one in twenty healthy people fall just outside a typical range, and things like food, exercise, hydration and time of day can affect results. Your Doctor will look at the full picture.
What does H or L mean on my results?
H means the value is above the laboratory reference range and L means it is below. It is a flag for your Doctor to review, not a diagnosis.
Why are my results in mmol/L or nmol/L?
These are units of concentration used in Ireland and the UK. Results from other countries may use different units, such as mg/dL, so numbers cannot be compared directly without converting.
Can Mia tell me what my results mean?
Ask Mia offers general guidance and healthcare system information, not medical advice or diagnosis. Mia can explain what a marker measures in plain language, help you prepare questions and note it for a Doctor.
Where these figures come from
Charges and thresholds change. We check these figures regularly, but always confirm the current rate with the official source before you rely on it. This page explains entitlements, costs and process - it is not medical advice.
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