What Do the Most Common Values in Check Up Results Mean?

check-up Getting a test is not a process that is completed only by receiving the results of blood tests and other tests. The most important thing is to evaluate the obtained values ​​correctly, together with the person's general health status and current risks.

Check-up results may include many parameters such as hemogram, blood sugar, cholesterol, liver and kidney functions, thyroid hormones and vitamin and mineral levels. The fact that these values ​​are outside the reference ranges does not always mean that there is a disease. Likewise, a result within the reference range does not by itself indicate that the person is completely healthy.

Age, gender, eating habits, physical activity, medications used, existing diseases and conditions under which the test is performed may affect the interpretation of the results. Therefore, it is important to consider check-up results as a whole.

In this article, we discuss what the most frequently encountered values in check-up results mean, in which situations attention should be paid, and how to proceed after the results.

Why Shouldn't Check Up Results Be Interpreted Alone?

Check-up results are often presented in the form of a table containing many numerical values. However, each of these values ​​should not be evaluated alone.

For example, low hemoglobin value may be related to iron deficiency, B12 or folate deficiency, chronic diseases or other reasons. Similarly, high blood sugar alone does not diagnose diabetes.

When evaluating laboratory results, the person's age, gender, existing diseases, medications used, diet and other test results should be considered together. For this reason, if a value outside the reference range is seen as a result of the check-up, an evaluation by a specialist physician should be obtained instead of being directly concerned. 

What Do Blood Count (Hemogram) Values Mean?

Hemogram is one of the most common blood tests performed during a check-up. It provides information about red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Hemogram results; It can help evaluate different health topics such as anemia, infections, immune system-related conditions and blood clotting.

Hemoglobin (HGB) and Hematocrit (HCT)

Hemoglobin is the protein found in red blood cells and allows oxygen to be carried throughout the body. Hematocrit gives information about the proportion of red blood cells in the blood.

Low hemoglobin may be related to different reasons such as iron deficiency, B12 or folate deficiency, chronic diseases or blood loss.

High hemoglobin can be seen in situations such as dehydration, smoking, living at high altitudes or some lung diseases.

Changes in hematocrit value can also give an idea about the person's blood density and fluid balance. However, the evaluation of these values ​​should be done together with other hemogram parameters. Happ

White Blood Cells (WBC)

WBC, or white blood cells, are important components of the immune system. It can provide information about the body's response to infections and some inflammatory processes.

Elevated WBC may be associated with infection, acute stress, inflammation or the use of certain medications.

Low WBC may be seen in some viral infections, conditions affecting the bone marrow, or due to the use of certain medications.

It is not correct to diagnose infection or another disease by looking at the WBC value alone. Other blood values ​​and the person's complaints should be evaluated together. Happ

Platelet (PLT)

Thrombocytes are blood cells that are involved in the stopping of bleeding and the clotting process.

A low platelet count may be associated with an increased bleeding tendency. High platelet values ​​can be seen in infections, iron deficiency or some chronic inflammatory conditions.

It is important that the results are evaluated by a physician, especially when significant platelet levels are low or high. 

Blood Sugar and Diabetes Related Values

Blood sugar values are among the most frequently wondered parameters in check-up results. In addition to evaluating for diabetes, blood sugar measurements can also provide information about metabolic health.

Blood sugar; It can be affected by many factors such as nutrition, physical activity, stress, some medications used and genetic characteristics. For this reason, instead of a single measurement, the person's general condition and changes over time should be taken into account. 

Fasting Blood Sugar

Fasting blood sugar indicates the level of glucose in the blood after fasting for a certain period of time.

High fasting blood sugar may require evaluation for insulin resistance, prediabetes, or diabetes. However, diabetes cannot be diagnosed with a high result alone.

HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin)

HbA1c is a test that provides information about the average blood sugar level over the last 2-3 months.

A high HbA1c value may indicate inadequate blood sugar control. Borderline values ​​may be important in terms of evaluating the person's metabolic risks and planning the necessary lifestyle adjustments. 

Cholesterol and Lipid Profile Values

Cholesterol and lipid profile are among the important parameters in evaluating cardiovascular health.

When evaluating the lipid profile, it is not enough to look only at the total cholesterol value. LDL, HDL and triglyceride values ​​should also be evaluated together with the person's overall cardiovascular risk. 

Total Cholesterol

Total cholesterol refers to the sum of the different types of cholesterol in the blood.

High total cholesterol may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease when evaluated together with a person's other risk factors.

LDL (Bad Cholesterol)

LDL is the lipoprotein popularly known as "bad cholesterol". High LDL levels are an important risk factor for plaque formation on the vessel walls and arteriosclerosis.

What level the LDL level should be may vary depending on the person's age, existing diseases and cardiovascular risk status.

HDL (Good Cholesterol)

HDL is the lipoprotein that helps transport excess cholesterol in the blood.

Low HDL level may be one of the risk factors evaluated for cardiovascular diseases.

triglyceride

Triglyceride is a type of fat found in the blood and plays a role in energy storage.

High triglyceride values may be associated with obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic problems. Eating habits and physical activity level can also affect triglyceride levels. Happ

What Do Liver Function Tests Mean?

Different blood tests can be used as part of the check-up to evaluate liver functions.

Changes in liver enzymes; Fatty liver may be caused by different reasons such as infections, alcohol use, some medications or problems related to the biliary tract.

Therefore, a single high value seen in liver tests should not be considered to directly mean a specific disease.

ALT and AST

ALT and AST are enzymes that can increase when liver cells are affected.

High levels of these values can be seen in different conditions such as fatty liver, viral hepatitis, alcohol use or liver damage due to some drugs.

ALP and GGT

ALP and GGT are parameters used in the evaluation of the liver and bile ducts.

Especially elevated GGT can be seen in alcohol use, some liver problems or biliary tract-related conditions. The results should be evaluated together with other liver tests. Happ

Kidney Function Tests

The kidneys undertake important duties in maintaining the fluid and electrolyte balance in the body and removing waste materials from the body.

Parameters such as urea and creatinine can be used to evaluate kidney functions during check-up.

Urea and Creatinine

Creatinine is an important parameter that provides information about the filtering function of the kidneys.

Elevated creatinine may suggest the possibility of decreased kidney function. However, it is not correct to diagnose kidney disease by looking at the creatinine value alone.

High urea may be associated with fluid loss, high protein consumption or changes in kidney functions.

These values should be evaluated together with the person's age, muscle mass, fluid status and other laboratory results. 

Thyroid Hormones (TSH, T3, T4)

Thyroid hormones play a role in regulating metabolism, energy use and many functions of the body.

Changes in thyroid functions can manifest themselves with different symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, palpitations, sweating, feeling cold or mood changes.

TSH

TSH is one of the basic tests used to evaluate the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Elevated TSH may require evaluation for hypothyroidism. Low TSH may be associated with conditions such as hyperthyroidism.

However, in order to interpret the TSH value correctly, other thyroid hormones such as free T3 and free T4 and the person's clinical findings should also be evaluated when necessary. 

Vitamin and Mineral Values

As part of the check-up, some vitamin and mineral levels may also be evaluated according to the person's needs.

Deficiencies, especially in values such as vitamin D, B12 and iron, may be associated with different complaints such as weakness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or anemia.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays an important role in bone and muscle health. Low levels of vitamin D may cause complaints related to bones and muscles.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is important for the formation of blood cells and nervous system functions.

B12 deficiency may be associated with fatigue, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and some neurological symptoms.

iron

Iron plays an important role in hemoglobin production. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia and complaints such as fatigue, fatigue or shortness of breath. Happ

What Does the Reference Range Mean in Check Up Results?

Lab results usually include a reference range next to each test. This range may vary depending on the method and evaluation group used by the relevant laboratory.

Just because a value is slightly outside the reference range does not necessarily mean disease. Likewise, a result within the reference range does not guarantee that the person's overall health condition is normal.

Therefore, the results should not be evaluated only as “high” or “low”; The person's complaints should be considered together with his medical history and other test results.

What Should Be Done After Check Up Results?

Check-up results may show values that are normal, borderline or outside the reference range.

If there is any deviation in the results, the first thing to do is to get a specialist physician's evaluation rather than interpreting the value alone.

When the physician deems it necessary:

• Repeating some tests,
• Performing additional laboratory tests,
• Using imaging methods,
• Making nutritional or lifestyle changes,
• Regular follow-up planning,
• Applying to the relevant branch of specialization

may suggest.

check-up The main purpose of evaluating the results is not only to detect existing diseases, but also to create an appropriate follow-up plan by recognizing possible health risks at an early stage. 

Evaluate Your Check Up Results with an Expert with Happ Health

With the "Health Everywhere, For Everyone, Always" approach, the check-up process is not just about getting tested; We believe that interpreting the results correctly and creating a road map appropriate to the person's health condition is an important part of the process.

If you want to evaluate your check-up results more comprehensively, learn which values should be followed, or create a check-up plan suitable for your health condition, you can check out the services for women, men and different age groups offered by Medical Park and Liv Hospital via Happ Health. check-up packages you can review.

A value outside the reference range in check-up results does not always mean disease, and normal results do not mean that all health problems are excluded. It is important for the results to be evaluated by a specialist together with your personal health history, complaints and other findings, in terms of accurate follow-up and planning further examination when necessary.