Understanding Your Lab Results: CBC, Blood Chemistry & Urinalysis in the Philippines

Getting laboratory results back can feel overwhelming — rows of numbers, abbreviations, and reference ranges that mean nothing without context. This guide breaks down the most common lab tests ordered in Philippine clinics: the Complete Blood Count (CBC), Blood Chemistry Panel, and Urinalysis — in plain language, without the medical jargon.

Important: Lab results should always be interpreted by your doctor in the context of your symptoms and medical history. This guide is for educational purposes only.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The CBC is the most commonly ordered blood test in the Philippines. It measures the different components of your blood and is used to screen for anemia, infection, inflammation, and blood disorders.

Key CBC Values

• Hemoglobin (Hgb): Carries oxygen in the blood. Low hemoglobin = anemia. Normal: Men 135–175 g/L, Women 120–155 g/L. Low values cause fatigue, paleness, and shortness of breath.
• Hematocrit (Hct): The percentage of blood made up of red blood cells. Low = anemia; very high = dehydration or polycythemia.
• White Blood Cells (WBC): Your infection-fighting cells. High WBC often signals bacterial infection or inflammation. Very low WBC can indicate immune suppression or bone marrow problems. Normal: 4.5–11.0 x10⁹/L.
• Platelets (PLT): Responsible for blood clotting. Very low platelets (thrombocytopenia) — seen in dengue fever — causes bleeding risk. Normal: 150–400 x10⁹/L. In dengue, platelet count below 100 is a warning sign.
• Neutrophils / Lymphocytes: Types of white blood cells. High neutrophils = bacterial infection. High lymphocytes = viral infection (like COVID-19 or dengue).

Blood Chemistry Panel

Blood chemistry tests measure the levels of various substances in your blood and assess the function of your kidneys, liver, thyroid, and metabolic health.

Kidney Function (BUN & Creatinine)

• Creatinine: A waste product filtered by the kidneys. Elevated creatinine signals reduced kidney function. Normal: Men 62–115 µmol/L, Women 44–97 µmol/L.
• BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): Another kidney waste marker. High BUN + high creatinine together are strong indicators of kidney disease. Normal: 2.5–8.0 mmol/L.

Blood Sugar (Glucose)

• Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): Normal: 3.9–5.5 mmol/L (70–99 mg/dL). Pre-diabetes: 5.6–6.9 mmol/L. Diabetes: 7.0 mmol/L or higher on two separate tests.
• HbA1c: Reflects average blood sugar over 3 months. Used to monitor diabetes control. Target for diabetics: below 7%.

Cholesterol Panel (Lipid Profile)

• Total Cholesterol: Desirable: below 5.2 mmol/L (200 mg/dL).
• LDL ("bad" cholesterol): Should be kept low — ideally below 2.6 mmol/L for most people, even lower if you have heart disease.
• HDL ("good" cholesterol): Higher is better. Below 1.0 mmol/L is a risk factor for heart disease.
• Triglycerides: High triglycerides are associated with fatty liver, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease. Normal: below 1.7 mmol/L.

Liver Function (ALT, AST, Total Bilirubin)

• ALT (SGPT) and AST (SGOT): Liver enzymes. Elevated levels indicate liver damage — from fatty liver, hepatitis, alcohol, or medications. Normal: ALT up to 35–45 U/L, AST up to 40 U/L.
• Total Bilirubin: Elevated bilirubin causes jaundice (yellow skin/eyes). Can indicate liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or hemolytic anemia.

Uric Acid

High uric acid (hyperuricemia) causes gout — painful joint inflammation, especially in the big toe. Common in Filipino men with diets high in red meat, seafood, and beer. Normal: Men 210–420 µmol/L, Women 150–360 µmol/L.

Urinalysis

Urinalysis examines the physical, chemical, and microscopic properties of urine. It screens for urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney disease, diabetes, and liver problems.

Key Urinalysis Values

• Color and Clarity: Normal urine is pale to medium yellow and clear. Dark yellow may mean dehydration. Pink or red may indicate blood. Cloudy urine suggests infection.
• Protein: Should normally be absent or trace. Protein in the urine (proteinuria) can indicate kidney disease, hypertension, or diabetes affecting the kidneys.
• Glucose: Glucose in urine is abnormal and usually indicates uncontrolled diabetes.
• WBC (pus cells): More than 5 WBCs per high-power field suggests a urinary tract infection (UTI). Common in women; also seen in kidney infections.
• RBC: Red blood cells in urine (hematuria) can signal a UTI, kidney stones, or — rarely — a tumor. Always warrants further evaluation.
• Bacteria: Presence of bacteria with symptoms (burning, frequency, urgency) confirms UTI and warrants antibiotic treatment.

What to Do With Abnormal Results

Finding an "H" (high) or "L" (low) next to a value on your lab result does not automatically mean you have a serious condition. Many factors affect lab values — time of last meal, hydration, medications, age, and sex. Always discuss results with your doctor before drawing conclusions or self-medicating.

If your doctor has ordered these tests, bring the printed results to your follow-up consultation. MyDoktor.ph can help you find the right specialist if your GP refers you to an internist, nephrologist, endocrinologist, or other specialist based on your results.

Find the Right Specialist

Search for verified doctors across the Philippines on MyDoktor.ph — filter by specialty and city to find the right physician to interpret and manage your results.