Common lab panels, explained section by section

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A CBC measures cells circulating in blood, including red cells, white cells, and platelets.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

A CMP groups markers related to electrolytes, kidney function, liver enzymes, and glucose.

Lipid Panel

Lipid panels report cholesterol fractions and triglycerides from a blood sample.

Hemoglobin A1c

A1c reflects average blood glucose over roughly the prior two to three months.

Glucose

Blood glucose measures the amount of sugar circulating at the time of the draw.

Kidney Markers

Kidney-related labs often include creatinine and estimated GFR (eGFR).

Liver Enzymes

ALT and AST are enzymes commonly included on metabolic panels.

Thyroid Markers

TSH is a common first-line thyroid marker reported by laboratories.

Iron Stores (Ferritin)

Ferritin is a common marker related to iron storage.

Vitamin D

25-hydroxyvitamin D is the usual laboratory marker for vitamin D status.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is measured in blood to assess B12 status.

Testosterone

Total testosterone is a common hormone marker reported from blood draws.

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein measured as part of a CBC.

Creatinine

Creatinine is a kidney filtration marker commonly included on metabolic panels.

eGFR

Estimated GFR summarizes kidney filtration using laboratory equations.

ALT

ALT is a liver enzyme commonly reported on metabolic panels.

AST

AST is an enzyme associated with liver and other tissues.

TSH

TSH is a common thyroid marker.

Ferritin

Ferritin reflects iron storage and may rise with inflammation.

LDL Cholesterol

LDL cholesterol is a lipid fraction commonly listed on lipid panels.

HDL Cholesterol

HDL cholesterol is a lipid fraction on standard lipid panels.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are fats measured as part of a lipid panel.

Total Cholesterol

Total cholesterol sums major cholesterol fractions on a lipid panel.