Essential Definitions of 23 Key Lab Test Parameters

Essential Definitions of Key Laboratory Parameters

Understanding common blood and urine test results is crucial for health management. Below are definitions for 23 essential laboratory parameters, categorized for clarity.

Hematology and Red Blood Cell Metrics

• Hematocrit: The percentage of red blood cells in the blood.
• MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): A measure of the average size of red blood cells.
• MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin): A measure of the average amount of hemoglobin inside a red blood cell.
• MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration): A measure of the concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of packed red blood cells.
• RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width): A measure of the variation in size of red blood cells.
• MPV (Mean Platelet Volume): A measure of the average size of platelets.

Lipid Panel and Cardiovascular Health

• Total Cholesterol: The total amount of cholesterol in the blood.
• LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): A type of cholesterol that can build up in the arteries and lead to heart disease.
• HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): A type of cholesterol that helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.
• VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein): A type of lipoprotein associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Metabolic and Endocrine Markers

• Glucose: A type of sugar found in the blood.
• Insulin: A hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels.
• HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin): A measure of average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months.

Liver Function Tests and Proteins

• Bilirubin: A byproduct formed from the breakdown of hemoglobin, often used to evaluate liver function.
• AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): An enzyme found in the liver and heart.
• ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): An enzyme that helps break down proteins and is found in the liver.
• ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase): An enzyme found in the liver.
• Albumin: A protein made by the liver that helps maintain blood volume and pressure.

Urine Analysis and pH

• pH: A measure of acidity or alkalinity in a solution, typically ranging from 0 to 14.
• Urine Specific Gravity: A measure used to assess the concentration of urine.
• Urobilinogen: A product formed in the intestines from the reduction of bilirubin and can be detected in urine.

Specific Antigens and Antibodies

• PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen): A protein produced by the prostate gland.
• Anti-TPO (Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody): An antibody that targets thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme in the thyroid gland.