marker glossary
27 articles tagged marker glossary.
Markers That Move Together: Reading Your Labs in Groups
Lab markers cluster and move as groups — lipids, the insulin-resistance cluster, thyroid, iron, and liver. Why reading the pattern across related markers beats reading any single value in isolation.
Albumin: What It Is and How to Read Your Blood Level
What albumin measures, the reference ranges labs actually use, why liver, nutrition, and inflammation all affect it, and how to track albumin over time — plus why 'optimal' is debated.
ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase): What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What ALP measures, the reference ranges labs actually use, why liver and bone both drive it, and how to track your alkaline phosphatase over time — plus why 'optimal' is debated.
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What ALT measures, the liver-enzyme reference ranges labs and guidelines actually use, and how to track your ALT over time — plus why a single 'optimal' number is debated.
ApoB: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What apolipoprotein B (ApoB) measures, the reference ranges cardiology guidelines actually use, and how to track your ApoB over time — plus why a single 'optimal' number is debated.
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What AST measures, the reference ranges labs actually use, why the AST-to-ALT ratio matters, and how to track your AST over time — plus why a single 'optimal' number is debated.
Blood Test Markers Glossary: Every Marker, Grouped by Body System
A plain-English blood test markers glossary — common lab markers grouped by body system, each with a one-line explainer and a link to its full guide with reference ranges and how to track it over time.
DHEA-S: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What DHEA-S (DHEA sulfate) measures, why 'normal' ranges drop steeply with age and differ by sex, the referenced ranges, and how to track DHEA-S over time alongside other hormones.
eGFR and Creatinine: What They Are and How to Read Your Kidney Numbers
What creatinine and eGFR measure, the reference ranges KDIGO and labs actually use, and how to track your kidney function over time — plus why a single 'optimal' number is debated.
Estradiol (E2): What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What estradiol (E2) measures, why a 'normal' level depends heavily on sex, menstrual-cycle phase, and menopausal status, the referenced ranges, and how to track estradiol over time.
Fasting Glucose: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What fasting glucose measures, the reference ranges the ADA uses for normal, prediabetes, and diabetes, and how to track it over time — plus why a single reading is noisy.
Ferritin: What It Is and How to Read Your Iron-Storage Level
What ferritin measures, the reference ranges WHO and labs actually use, why it doubles as an inflammation marker, and how to track ferritin over time — plus why 'optimal' is debated.
Free T3: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What Free T3 (free triiodothyronine) measures, the typical lab reference ranges, why 'optimal' is assay-dependent and debated, and how to track Free T3 over time with TSH and Free T4.
Free T4: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What Free T4 (free thyroxine) measures, the typical lab reference ranges, why 'optimal' is assay-dependent and debated, and how to track Free T4 over time alongside TSH and Free T3.
HbA1c: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What HbA1c measures, the reference ranges the ADA uses for normal, prediabetes, and diabetes, and how to track it over time — plus why it can mislead in some people.
HDL Cholesterol: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What HDL cholesterol measures, the reference ranges from ATP III and the AHA, and how to track your HDL over time — plus why 'higher is always better' turns out to be wrong.
Homocysteine: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What homocysteine measures, the reference ranges labs and AHA actually use, its link to B vitamins and cardiovascular risk, and how to track it over time — plus why 'optimal' is debated.
hs-CRP: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What high-sensitivity CRP measures, the cardiovascular risk categories from the AHA and CDC, and how to track it over time — plus why one high reading usually means retest.
LDL Cholesterol: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What LDL cholesterol measures, the reference ranges from ATP III and ACC/AHA, and how to track your LDL over time — plus why 'optimal' depends on your personal risk.
Lp(a): What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What lipoprotein(a) measures, the thresholds the EAS and NLA use for elevated risk, and how to track it over time — plus why it's mostly genetic and hard to lower.
Omega-3 Index: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What the omega-3 index measures, the target zones researchers propose, why it isn't an official guideline range, and how to track it over time — plus why 'optimal' is debated.
RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width): What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What RDW measures, the reference ranges labs actually use, why variable red-cell size matters for nutrition and aging, and how to track it over time — plus why 'optimal' is debated.
Testosterone: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What total and free testosterone measure, the Endocrine Society's harmonized reference range, why 'optimal' depends on age and sex, and how to track testosterone over time.
Triglycerides: What They Are and How to Read Your Level
What triglycerides measure, the reference ranges from ATP III and ACC/AHA, and how to track them over time — plus why fasting and recent meals change the number so much.
TSH: What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) measures, the reference ranges the American Thyroid Association and labs actually use, why the 'optimal' upper limit is debated, and how to track TSH over time.
Vitamin B12: What It Is and How to Read Your Blood Level
What a vitamin B12 test measures, the reference ranges labs actually use, why the 'gray zone' needs confirmatory tests, and how to track B12 over time — plus why 'optimal' is debated.
Vitamin D (25-Hydroxyvitamin D): What It Is and How to Read Your Level
What a vitamin D test measures, the deficiency thresholds the Endocrine Society and IOM actually use, and how to track 25-OH-D over time — plus why 'optimal' is genuinely debated.