Blood pressure
Keep track of readings over time and ask how your numbers fit your overall cardiovascular health.
Health information for adults in the United States
Make sense of your health information.
Clear information about common lab tests, health measurements, preventive screenings and the questions that matter when you review your health with a U.S. healthcare professional.
Plain-language explanations
U.S. measurements and terminology
Common health measurements
Understanding the numbers
Heart rhythm
Illustration
Hemoglobin
g/dL
Fasting glucose
mg/dL
LDL cholesterol
mg/dL
Numbers need context.
Units, laboratory ranges and your health history all contribute to how results are understood.
Health guides
Understand common health tests
Straightforward explanations of laboratory tests and health measurements commonly encountered in U.S. healthcare.
Lab reference
Common test ranges at a glance
Review commonly used U.S. categories for selected health measurements and see how a value compares with those categories.
Use the range shown on your report
Laboratories can use different methods and reference intervals.
Look at the complete picture
A single measurement rarely provides the full health picture.
Test range reference
Select a measurement below.
Preventive health
Stay prepared for routine healthcare
Regular appointments, screenings and health records can make healthcare easier to manage. Knowing what to ask is often just as useful as knowing what was tested.
Cholesterol
Understand LDL, HDL, triglycerides and how lipid results fit into broader heart-health decisions.
Blood sugar
Learn the difference between fasting glucose and A1C and why both may appear in routine screening.
Preventive screenings
Keep track of screening conversations that may be relevant to your age, history and healthcare needs.
Immunization records
Keep your vaccination history organized and review it during routine visits or when healthcare needs change.
Health records
Keep copies of important results with dates, units and the laboratory ranges shown on each report.
Understanding results
A result is more than a number
When you receive a laboratory report, several pieces of information work together. Looking at the complete report makes it easier to have a useful conversation with your healthcare team.
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1
Test name
Identify what was measured, such as LDL cholesterol, hemoglobin or TSH.
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2
Result and unit
The number needs its measurement unit. For example, mg/dL and mmol/L represent different units.
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3
Laboratory range
Your report may show a reference interval specific to that laboratory's testing method.
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4
Personal information
Age, medications, medical history, symptoms and previous results can all affect how a result is considered.
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5
Conversation with your healthcare professional
Your clinician can put the result together with the rest of your health information and explain what comes next.
Health information
Practical information for everyday healthcare
From understanding a blood test to preparing for a routine appointment, healthsupports focuses on the information people commonly need when managing healthcare in the United States.
Lab tests
Learn what common blood tests measure and why they may appear on a laboratory report.
Heart health
Understand common cardiovascular measurements such as cholesterol and blood pressure.
Metabolic health
Explore glucose, electrolytes and other measurements used in routine metabolic testing.
Preventive care
Prepare for routine visits and keep track of important screening conversations.
Health records
Learn how to keep laboratory results and other healthcare information organized over time.
Better questions
Bring clearer questions to appointments and make better use of your time with your healthcare team.
Appointment preparation
Before your next appointment
A few simple details can make a routine healthcare visit more productive.
- Write down your questions. Know what you want to discuss before the visit begins.
- Keep a medication list. Include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and supplements.
- Follow testing instructions. If fasting or other preparation is required, use the instructions provided by your healthcare team or laboratory.
- Bring relevant records. Previous results and important health information can help your provider compare changes over time.
- Ask what happens next. Find out when results will be available and whether follow-up is needed.
Keep your health information organized
Dates, measurements and previous reports can make it easier to discuss changes during future visits.
Get more comfortable with your health information.
Explore common lab tests, health measurements and practical information for everyday healthcare.