What to Do With Your Blood Test Results
A simple, step-by-step guide to understanding and acting on your results
1-3
Days for Results
90%
Are Normal
5
Key Steps
First Things First: Don't Panic!
Got your blood test results and feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone! Most people stare at their pathology report like it's written in ancient hieroglyphics. Let's decode it together and figure out exactly what to do next.
Most Abnormal Results Aren't Emergencies
Seeing a result marked "HIGH" or "LOW" doesn't mean you need to rush to the emergency room. Many values fluctuate naturally, and slightly abnormal results often just need monitoring or simple lifestyle changes.
Step 1: Check If Results Are Urgent
Your first job is figuring out if you need to act immediately or if this can wait for a scheduled GP appointment.
Call Doctor NOW
If your pathology report says:
- • "Critical result" or "Urgent"
- • "Doctor has been notified"
- • Extremely high or low values
- • You feel very unwell
Don't wait for your GP to call you - ring them immediately or go to ED if critical.
Book Appointment Soon
If you have:
- • Multiple abnormal results
- • Significantly out of range values
- • New diagnosis suspected
- • Ongoing symptoms
Book a GP appointment within 1-2 weeks to discuss results and next steps.
Routine Follow-Up
If you have:
- • Everything in normal range
- • Slightly abnormal but stable
- • Expected results from screening
- • Feeling completely well
Great news! Discuss at your next regular check-up or as planned with your doctor.
Step 2: Understanding Your Results Report
Australian pathology reports follow a standard format. Here's how to read yours:
📄 How to Read Your Report
Report Header
Patient Name: Your name
Date of Birth: Your DOB
Collection Date: When blood was taken
Lab: Which pathology lab processed it
Results Section
| Test Name | Your Result | Normal Range | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin | 145 | 130-175 | g/L |
| Cholesterol | 6.2 H | < 5.5 | mmol/L |
| Glucose | 5.1 | 3.0-6.0 | mmol/L |
HIGH
Above normal
LOW
Below normal
CRITICAL
Needs attention
NORMAL
In range
Step 3: What Do Abnormal Results Mean?
Not every abnormal result means something's wrong. Here's the reality check:
Slightly Out of Range = Usually Fine
If your hemoglobin is 129 and the range is 130-175, you're basically normal. Lab ranges are guidelines, not absolutes. Being 1-2 points outside usually means nothing.
💡 Pro Tip: Compare your result to previous tests. A trend is more important than one number!
Timing Matters
Did you fast when you should have? Take your medication that morning? Exercise right before? These can all affect results. Your doctor knows this and will consider it.
Food Intake
Can affect glucose, lipids
Hydration
Affects concentration
Exercise
Can raise some enzymes
Context is Everything
Your doctor ordered these tests for a reason. An isolated abnormal result might be expected (like high CRP if you have a cold) or might need follow-up. That's why you need to discuss with your GP.
Step 4: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Walking into your GP appointment prepared makes a huge difference. Here are the essential questions:
Your Blood Test Appointment Checklist
"What do these results mean for my health?"
Get the big picture explanation in plain English
"Do I need treatment or just monitoring?"
Understand if action is needed now
"What caused these results?"
Understanding the "why" helps you make changes
"Can I improve these through lifestyle changes?"
Diet, exercise, sleep - what can you control?
"When should we retest?"
Set a clear follow-up plan
"Are there any risks I should watch for?"
Know what symptoms mean you should come back
Step 5: Taking Action Based on Your Results
Once you understand your results, it's time to act. Here's your practical action plan:
If You Have High Cholesterol
Cholesterol above 5.5 mmol/L
🥗 Dietary Changes
- • Cut back on saturated fats (butter, fatty meat)
- • Add more oats, nuts, and olive oil
- • Eat fatty fish twice weekly
- • Load up on vegetables and fruits
🏃 Lifestyle Changes
- • 30 minutes exercise most days
- • Lose weight if overweight
- • Quit smoking if you smoke
- • Limit alcohol
📅 Retest in 3 months to see if changes worked. If still high, medication might be needed.
If You Have Low Iron/Ferritin
Ferritin below 30 µg/L
🍖 Iron-Rich Foods
- • Red meat (best absorbed)
- • Chicken and fish
- • Beans, lentils, tofu
- • Iron-fortified cereals
- • Dark leafy greens
💊 Supplements
- • Take with vitamin C (orange juice)
- • Avoid with tea/coffee (blocks absorption)
- • May cause constipation or dark stools (normal!)
- • Keep away from children (toxic)
📅 Retest in 8-12 weeks. If very low or symptoms severe, IV iron infusions might be faster.
If You Have High Blood Sugar (Pre-diabetes)
HbA1c 5.7-6.4% or Fasting glucose 6.1-6.9
🥦 Diet Overhaul
- • Cut refined carbs (white bread, sugary drinks)
- • Choose whole grains
- • Eat more fiber
- • Portion control is key
🏋️ Get Moving
- • Aim for 150 min/week exercise
- • Build muscle (resistance training)
- • Walk after meals
- • Lose 5-10% body weight if overweight
⚠️ Good news: Pre-diabetes is reversible! With lifestyle changes, most people prevent progression to type 2 diabetes.
Tracking Your Results Over Time
One blood test is a snapshot. Tracking over time shows the movie of your health.
Why Tracking Changes Everything
✅ You Can Do:
- • Spot trends before problems develop
- • See if lifestyle changes are working
- • Show your doctor patterns over time
- • Catch issues early when easiest to fix
- • Celebrate improvements!
📱 How BloodResults Helps:
- • Store all tests in one secure place
- • See graphs of changes over time
- • Get alerts when tests are due
- • Never lose a result again
- • Share easily with doctors
When to Seek a Second Opinion
Sometimes you need another doctor's perspective:
When It's Reasonable:
- • Your GP dismisses concerning symptoms
- • Results don't match how you feel
- • Multiple abnormal results with no explanation
- • Recommended treatment seems extreme
- • You want specialist expertise for complex results
Take Control of Your Health Data
Don't let your blood test results sit in a drawer. Track, understand, and improve your health with BloodResults.
Key Takeaways
Don't panic – most abnormal results aren't emergencies
Check urgency first – know if you need to act immediately
Understand the report – learn to read the flags and ranges
Ask good questions – get clarity from your doctor
Take action – lifestyle changes work for many issues
Track over time – trends matter more than single results
Resources
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