LAFIA Learn · UK blood-test guides
Your lab results, explained.
Report-first guides to the value, unit, date and reference interval on your own report, with calm context and questions to take to your clinician.
Start with the report
Orient yourself, then turn a flagged or confusing result into better questions for your appointment.
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Getting started
How to understand your lab results (without a medical degree)
Lab results can feel overwhelming. This plain-language guide explains what the numbers mean, what's normal, and when to follow up with your doctor.
8 min read -
Start with the report
Abnormal or borderline blood test? UK next steps and GP appointment prep
A calm UK guide to flagged or borderline blood tests: check the report, understand who owns follow-up and prepare useful GP questions.
7 min read
UK blood-test essentials
The main report-in-hand guides, using UK terminology, units and context.
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UK blood-test essentials
Full blood count (FBC) results explained in the UK
Read a UK full blood count using your report's units and ranges, including haemoglobin, white cells, platelets and red-cell indices.
8 min read -
UK blood-test essentials
HbA1c results explained: mmol/mol, high-risk and diabetes ranges (UK)
Read an HbA1c result in UK mmol/mol, understand the report's context and prepare questions without treating one result as a diagnosis.
7 min read -
UK blood-test essentials
eGFR and creatinine: how to read kidney function blood tests (UK)
Read UK eGFR and creatinine results together, including µmol/L, persistence, urine ACR and the questions to take to a clinician.
8 min read -
UK blood-test essentials
Liver blood tests explained: ALT, AST, GGT and bilirubin (UK)
Read a UK liver blood-test panel using your report's units and intervals, including ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, bilirubin and albumin.
8 min read -
Thyroid
TSH: what your thyroid test result actually means
What your TSH result means in plain language — normal ranges by age, what high or low TSH indicates, and when to follow up.
6 min read -
Heart Health
Cholesterol Panel: what your lipid test results actually mean
What your cholesterol results mean in plain language — normal ranges for LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, and how they impact your heart health.
6 min read
Supporting marker guides
More focused explanations for markers that are often read alongside a wider panel.
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UK blood-test essentials
Creatinine and eGFR results: how to read them together (UK)
Creatinine is best read alongside eGFR, urine findings and trends. Learn how UK reports show kidney results and what to ask next.
3 min read -
Supporting marker guides
ALT and AST results: read them with the full liver panel
ALT and AST are only part of a liver blood-test panel. Use your report's ranges and read the pattern with bilirubin, GGT and ALP.
3 min read -
Liver
AST: what your liver enzyme result actually means
What your AST result means in plain language — normal ranges, what high AST indicates, and why it is tested alongside ALT to check liver health.
4 min read -
Liver
Bilirubin: what your test result actually means
What your bilirubin result means in plain language — normal ranges, what high bilirubin indicates, and its connection to jaundice and liver health.
4 min read -
Liver & Bone
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): what your test result actually means
What your ALP result means in plain language — normal ranges, what high ALP indicates, and its connection to liver, bile ducts, and bone health.
4 min read -
Liver & Nutrition
Albumin: what your test result actually means
What your albumin result means in plain language — normal ranges, what high or low albumin indicates, and its role in liver function and nutrition.
4 min read -
Iron Studies
Ferritin: what your iron storage test result actually means
What your ferritin result means in plain language — normal ranges, what high or low ferritin indicates about your iron stores, and when to actually worry.
5 min read -
Iron & Blood
Low ferritin but normal iron: what does it mean?
Ferritin 10–40 can reflect low iron stores even when serum iron is normal. Learn about fatigue, restless legs, hair loss, and next steps.
7 min read -
Heart & Lipids
Triglycerides: what your test result actually means
What your triglycerides result means in plain language — normal ranges, what high triglycerides indicate, and how diet affects this fat in your blood.
4 min read
Other result guides
Additional plain-language guides for common laboratory results.
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Vitamins
Vitamin D: what your blood level actually means
What your vitamin D (25-OH) result means in plain language — deficiency context, common caveats and questions to discuss with a clinician.
6 min read -
Kidney & Joints
Uric Acid: what your test result actually means
What your uric acid test result means in plain language — normal ranges, what high uric acid indicates, its link to gout, and when to worry.
4 min read -
Electrolytes
Potassium: what your test result actually means
What your potassium result means in plain language — normal ranges, what high or low potassium indicates, and why it's critical for your heart.
4 min read -
Electrolytes
Sodium: what your test result actually means
What your sodium result means in plain language — normal ranges, what high or low sodium indicates, and its connection to hydration.
4 min read -
Metabolic
Calcium: what your test result actually means
What your calcium result means in plain language — normal ranges, what high or low calcium indicates, and its link to bone health and hormones.
4 min read -
Electrolytes
Magnesium: what your test result actually means
What your magnesium result means in plain language — normal ranges, what high or low magnesium indicates, and its role in muscle and nerve function.
4 min read -
Kidney
BUN: what your kidney test result actually means
What your BUN result means in plain language — normal ranges, what high or low BUN indicates, and how it measures kidney function and hydration.
4 min read -
Getting started
Why are my lab results normal but I still feel unwell?
Why symptoms can persist when glucose, kidney, ferritin, and liver tests look normal — and what patterns to discuss with your clinician.
7 min read
Have the full report?
Have the full report? Upload it for a plain-language walkthrough and questions to take to your clinician.
Lafia organises the values, units and reference intervals shown on your report. Educational only; not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. AI-generated interpretations are not reviewed by a physician or human clinician and do not replace a clinician, laboratory, or original report. Do not use this content for emergencies; consult a qualified healthcare professional. Do not post personal laboratory results publicly.
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