What type of results will I get, and what do the results mean?
Results vary depending on the different elements of your blood. Your provider will discuss your results with you and any next steps in your care.
This list covers results pertaining to heart disease risk:
Total cholesterol (TC): Your results may differ depending on your age and other risk factors. Ideal results by age:
- 20 years or younger: 75 to 169 mg/dL.
- 21 years or older: 100 to 199 mg/dL.
Triglycerides (TG): The ideal result is less than 150 mg/dL. A very high result (greater than 500 to 1,000 mg/dL) increases your risk of pancreatitis. Levels are usually higher if you have obesity or diabetes.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL): The higher your HDL level, the better. Ideal levels depend on your sex:
- Men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB): Higher than 45 mg/dL.
- Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB): Higher than 55 mg/dL.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): Your ideal result depends on the current state of your health:
- Less than 70 mg/dL if you have heart or blood vessel disease, diabetes or a very high risk of heart disease.
- Less than 100 mg/dL if you have metabolic syndrome or more than one risk factor for heart disease.
- Less than 130 mg/dL if you have a low risk of coronary artery disease.
Complete blood count with differential (CBC): Normal ranges include:
- White blood cell count: 5,000 to 10,000.
- Hematocrit (amount of blood made up of red cells): Men and people AMAB, 40% to 55%; women and people AFAB, 36% to 48%.
- Hemoglobin (part of red blood cell that carries oxygen): Men and people AMAB, 14 to 18 gm/dL; women and people AFAB, 12 to 16 gm/dL.
Lipoprotein (a): An ideal level is less than 30 mg/dL. If your level is high, your healthcare provider will likely discuss how to manage your heart disease risk factors, especially your LDL level.
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): An ideal level is less than 100 mg/dL.
hom*ocysteine (Hcy): An ideal level is less than 15 mcmol/L.
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): Results can indicate prediabetes or diabetes. Ideal results for those with diabetes differ from those who don’t have diabetes. In addition, these cutoffs may vary depending on race.
- Ideal level: 6% or lower.
- Prediabetes: 7% to 6.4%.
- Diabetes: 5% or higher.
- Goal for people with diabetes: Less than 6.5% to 7%.
Fasting glucose (fasting blood sugar): An ideal level is less than 100 mg/dL. High levels can mean you have diabetes or insulin resistance:
- Prediabetes: 110 to 125 mg/dL.
- Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests.
Creatine kinase (CK): A normal range is 30 to 220 U/L. Levels may be higher if you take medication to lower cholesterol levels.
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), or SGPT: The normal range is 5 to 45 U/L. Levels may be higher if you take medication to lower cholesterol.
Aspartate trans-aminase (AST), or SGOT: The normal range is 7 to 40 U/L. Levels may be higher if you take medication to lower cholesterol.
Fibrinogen: The normal range is 200 - 400 mg/dL.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): The ideal range is 0.4 to 5.5 mIU/mL. This may change if you have had prior thyroid intervention.
Ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP), or high-sensitivity CRP: Results show your level of risk of heart and blood vessel disease:
- Low risk: Less than 2.0 mg/L.
- Intermediate risk: 0 to 3.0 mg/L.
- High risk: Higher than 3.0 mg/L.
Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR): The ideal result is less than 30 mg/g.
MPO: The ideal result is less than <420 pmol/L. If your levels are high, your healthcare provider will discuss how to reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems.
Vitamin D: The ideal range is 31 to 80 ng/ml.
Trimethylamine N-oxide, or TMAO: Results indicate your level of risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and clogged arteries (atherosclerosis):
- Low risk: Less than 6.2 uM.
- Intermediate risk:2 to 9.9 uM.
- High risk: 10 uM or higher.
If your levels are high, your healthcare provider will discuss how to lower your LDL and other risk factors. Your provider may recommend taking low-dose aspirin twice a day and following a Mediterranean diet.
Amino-terminal, pro-brain natriuretic peptide, or NT-proBNP: The ideal result is less than 125 pg/mL. If your levels are high, your healthcare provider will discuss how to reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems.
Serum creatinine (CR): Ideal results vary depending on your sex:
- Women and people AFAB:058 to 0.96 mg/dL.
- Men and people AMAB:73 to 1.22 mg/dL.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score:
- Low risk <5%
- Borderline Risk 5-7.5%
- Intermediate Risk >7.5-<20%
- High risk > 20%
When should I know the results of the test?
It will take at least a few days or longer to receive your blood test results. Ask your healthcare provider how long you can expect to wait before getting your results.
When should I call my provider?
Call your healthcare provider if you haven’t received your test results within a couple of weeks. Your provider will discuss with you the next steps in your care.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
While blood tests help your healthcare provider better understand your heart disease risk, they’re not a definitive diagnosis. If your blood test results show you have an increased risk, your provider may recommend further testing. Talk to your provider about any questions or concerns you have throughout this process.
