Understanding the Format

Australian pathology reports typically show: the test name and abbreviation, your result value, the reference range (normal range for healthy adults), the unit of measurement, and an H or L flag if outside the normal range. Reference ranges vary slightly between laboratories.

Common Blood Tests and What They Measure

Full Blood Count (FBC)

  • Haemoglobin (Hb/HGB): Measures the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Low = anaemia (fatigue, breathlessness). Normal: approx 120–160 g/L women, 130–175 g/L men.
  • White Blood Cells (WBC): Immune cells. High may indicate infection or inflammation. Low may indicate bone marrow or immune issues. Normal: 4.0–11.0 ×10&sup9;/L.
  • Platelets (PLT): Clotting cells. Very low increases bleeding risk. Normal: 150–400 ×10&sup9;/L.
  • MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): Size of red blood cells. Low = iron deficiency anaemia. High = B12 or folate deficiency.

Metabolic Panel / Biochemistry

  • Glucose (BSL): Blood sugar level. Fasting normal: 3.9–5.5 mmol/L. 5.6–6.9 = pre-diabetes. 7.0+ = diabetes range.
  • Creatinine: Kidney waste marker. High suggests reduced kidney function. Normal varies by age and sex: approx 60–110 µmol/L.
  • eGFR: Estimated kidney filtration rate. Above 60 is generally normal; below 60 indicates reduced kidney function.
  • Sodium, Potassium: Electrolytes essential for nerve and muscle function. Abnormal levels can cause serious symptoms.
  • ALT/AST: Liver enzymes. Elevated levels suggest liver stress or damage. Normal ALT: under 35–55 U/L depending on the lab.

Lipids (Cholesterol)

  • Total Cholesterol: Aim for under 5.5 mmol/L for most adults.
  • LDL (Low-density lipoprotein): “Bad” cholesterol. Aim for under 2.0–2.5 mmol/L for those with heart disease risk.
  • HDL (High-density lipoprotein): “Good” cholesterol. Higher is better. Above 1.0 mmol/L (men) or 1.2 mmol/L (women).
  • Triglycerides: Blood fats. Normal under 2.0 mmol/L.

Other Common Tests

  • HbA1c: Average blood sugar over 3 months. Under 5.7% normal; 5.7–6.4% pre-diabetes; 6.5%+ diabetes range.
  • TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): Thyroid function. Normal: 0.4–4.0 mIU/L. High = underactive thyroid; Low = overactive.
  • Ferritin: Iron stores. Low = iron deficiency. Normal varies; low end is roughly 20–30 ng/mL.
  • Vitamin D: Normal: above 50 nmol/L. Deficiency is extremely common in Australia despite sunny climate.
Always discuss results with your GPReference ranges are statistical norms, not strict cutoffs. A value slightly outside range may be normal for you. A value within range can sometimes be clinically significant. Results must be interpreted in the context of your symptoms, history, medications and other test results. Never make treatment decisions based on reading your report without medical guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

H means your result is above the reference range; L means it is below. A flag does not automatically mean something is wrong — it simply means your result falls outside the statistical normal range for healthy adults. Many flagged results are clinically insignificant or explained by non-disease factors (dehydration, recent exercise, medications, normal variation). Your GP reviews all results in context before determining whether investigation or treatment is needed.
Most pathology providers (Sonic Healthcare, Laverty, Sullivan Nicolaides, Australian Clinical Labs) offer online patient portals where results are available. You can also access results through your GP’s patient portal or the My Health Record app (myhealth.gov.au) — if your GP and pathology provider share to My Health Record. Results are typically available within 24–48 hours of the test, though your GP may prefer to discuss them with you before you see them.