Blood values by body system
Every blood value belongs to a system in your body: liver, thyroid, heart, hormones. Look up a value below. For each one, you get the reference range and what a deviation can mean.
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HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin)
HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) reflects your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. It is the gold standard for long-term blood sugar monitoring and diabetes management.
Hematocrit
Your hematocrit shows which share of your blood consists of red blood cells. Dutch laboratories report it as a fraction. A result of 0.45 l/l therefore stands for 45 percent.
Hemoglobin
A hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin protein in your blood.
Homocysteine
Homocysteine is an amino acid produced during protein metabolism. Elevated levels may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and other health conditions.
Iron (Serum)
Iron is a mineral the body needs to make haemoglobin, the protein red blood cells use to bind and carry oxygen.
LDL Cholesterol
According to the NVKC, the Dutch society of clinical chemists, LDL is a type of lipoprotein, a fat droplet of cholesterol, triglycerides and proteins in the blood, that carries cholesterol to the tissues and organs.
LDL/HDL Ratio
The LDL/HDL ratio is your LDL cholesterol divided by your HDL cholesterol. It is not a separate measurement: the laboratory calculates it from two values that have already been determined.
LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
An LH blood test measures luteinizing hormone, a pituitary hormone essential for reproductive function. LH plays a key role in triggering ovulation in women and stimulating testosterone production in men.
Leukocyte Differential
According to the NVKC, the Dutch society of clinical chemists, white blood cells are made in the bone marrow and protect the body against infections by bacteria, viruses or parasites.
Leukocytes (WBC)
Leukocytes, or white blood cells, are made in the bone marrow and protect the body against infection.
Lipoprotein(a)
Lp(a), in full lipoprotein(a), is an LDL particle, a particle that carries cholesterol through the blood, with an extra protein attached: apolipoprotein(a), which resembles plasminogen in structure.
MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin)
Haemoglobin is the protein in the red blood cells that, according to Thuisarts, the patient site of the Dutch College of General Practitioners, carries oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body.
MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration)
MCHC is the average concentration of haemoglobin inside your red blood cells, calculated from your haemoglobin and haematocrit.
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)
Red blood cells carry oxygen: according to Thuisarts they contain haemoglobin, which takes oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including energy production, muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, and bone development.
Non-HDL Cholesterol
According to Thuisarts, the Dutch GPs' patient site, cholesterol is a fatty substance that the body makes in the liver and takes from food, and that it uses to make cells, hormones and bile.
Platelets (Thrombocytes)
This value counts the platelets coming out of the same tube as your red and white cells.
Potassium
Potassium is an essential electrolyte and mineral that helps regulate heartbeat, muscle contractions, nerve signals, and fluid balance. It is one of the most important minerals for cardiovascular health.
Prolactin
A prolactin blood test measures the level of prolactin, a pituitary hormone primarily known for its role in lactation.
SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
SHBG, short for sex hormone binding globulin, is according to the NVKC, the Dutch society of clinical chemists, a protein that the liver produces and that can bind testosterone and oestradiol strongly.
Sodium
Sodium is a vital electrolyte that regulates fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve and muscle function.
TPO Antibodies
TPO antibodies target the thyroid peroxidase enzyme involved in thyroid hormone production. Elevated levels may indicate autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
TSH is thyroid-stimulating hormone. The pituitary gland makes it, and uses it to drive your thyroid.
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol measures the combined amount of HDL, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol in your blood.
What does a checkup per body system measure?
A checkup per body system bundles the blood values that belong to it. The liver checkup measures, for example, ALT, AST and GGT. The thyroid checkup measures TSH and the thyroid hormones. That gives you a focused picture instead of one single value.
We offer eight checkups, one per body system. Think of liver, kidneys, thyroid, heart and hormones. Not sure which checkup fits your question? Our test finder helps you decide in a few questions.
How do reference ranges work?
Every blood value comes with a reference range: the range most healthy people fall within. Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. That comes from differences in method and the group studied. Falling outside the range is a signal, not a diagnosis.
When you order a checkup, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your results in context. So you get more than just a number. Always discuss treatment decisions with your GP.
When should you test again?
Many values are worth measuring again after three to six months. That applies, for example, if you are following a lifestyle change or a treatment. A first test is then your baseline; the next one shows what changed.
A repeat test can also help without an ongoing change. Think of persistent symptoms, or simply tracking your values over time. Choose how often you test yourself, there is no fixed schedule.
Frequently asked questions about blood values
- Which blood values are normal?
- That differs per value and per laboratory. Your reference range depends on several things: your age, your sex and the method used. Look up the value in the overview above and check its range. Always compare that range with your own result.
- Do I need a referral for a checkup?
- No, you don't need a referral from your GP for a checkup with us. You order the checkup that fits your question yourself. After the blood draw, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your results.
- Can a checkup diagnose a disease?
- A checkup is not a diagnostic test for one specific disease. An abnormal value can have several causes and often calls for follow-up testing. For persistent symptoms, your GP is the best next step.
- How quickly do I get my results?
- Your results are usually in your account within 2 working days of the blood draw, often the next day. Some markers take longer. You see your values with explanation in your account, assessed by a doctor.
Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. When you order a test, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your personal results in context. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.