How to Read Your Blood Work Results: A Beginner's Guide to Lab Values
Your blood work report contains dozens of numbers. Learning to interpret them helps you understand your health and track the impact of your peptide protocol. This guide explains the most common markers.
Reference Ranges vs. Optimal Ranges
This distinction is critical. Your lab report shows:
Reference Range (Normal Range):
The range where 95% of the healthy population falls. A result within this range is "normal" statistically.
Optimal Range:
Values associated with better long-term health outcomes. This may be narrower or different from the reference range.
Example: Testosterone reference range for adult males might be 300-1000 ng/dL. But many experts consider 600-900 ng/dL optimal for most men. A value of 400 ng/dL is "normal" (in range) but suboptimal.
Always interpret your results in context of your health goals and consult a healthcare provider about what's optimal for you.
Understanding Flags
Results are typically flagged as:
•**H or ↑**: High (above reference range)
•**L or ↓**: Low (below reference range)
•**No flag**: Within reference range
A single flagged value doesn't indicate disease-it signals a need for interpretation. Some flagged values are benign; others require follow-up.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
White Blood Cell (WBC) Count
•Reference range: 4.5-11.0 x 10^9/L
•High: Infection, inflammation, stress, leukemia
•Low: Bone marrow issue, autoimmune disease, certain medications
•For protocols: Elevated WBC after injections is usually temporary inflammatory response
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count
•Reference range: 4.5-6.0 x 10^12/L for men; 4.1-5.5 x 10^12/L for women
•High (Polycythemia): Dehydration, high altitude, EPO use (legal in some contexts)
•Low (Anemia): Iron deficiency, B12/folate deficiency, blood loss
•For protocols: Some peptides may affect RBC; monitor trends
Hemoglobin
•Reference range: 13.5-17.5 g/dL for men; 12.0-15.5 g/dL for women
•High: Polycythemia, dehydration
•Low: Anemia, blood loss, nutritional deficiency
•Function: Carries oxygen in blood; critical for energy and recovery
Hematocrit
•Reference range: 38.8-50.0% for men; 34.9-44.5% for women
•Definition: Percentage of blood composed of red blood cells
•High/Low: Same causes as RBC/hemoglobin
•For protocols: Many users track this closely; elevated values can indicate dehydration or excessive peptide response
Platelet Count
•Reference range: 150-400 x 10^9/L
•High: Inflammation, iron deficiency
•Low: Bone marrow issue, autoimmune disease, vitamin deficiency
•Function: Clotting; low platelet counts increase bleeding risk
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Glucose (Fasting)
•Reference range: 70-100 mg/dL fasting
•High (Hyperglycemia): Prediabetes, diabetes, stress, poor sleep
•Low (Hypoglycemia): Insulin sensitivity, malnutrition, liver disease
•For protocols: Some peptides (semaglutide, tirzepatide) lower glucose; monitor if diabetic
Sodium
•Reference range: 135-145 mEq/L
•High: Dehydration
•Low: Overhydration, SIADH, kidney disease
•Function: Electrolyte; critical for nerve and muscle function
Potassium
•Reference range: 3.5-5.1 mEq/L
•High: Kidney disease, medication side effects
•Low: Diuretics, vomiting, diarrhea, insulin use
•Function: Electrolyte; critical for heart rhythm
•For protocols: Important to monitor; imbalance causes cardiac arrhythmia
Creatinine (and eGFR)
•Creatinine reference range: 0.7-1.3 mg/dL for men; 0.6-1.1 mg/dL for women
•eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate): >60 mL/min/1.73m² is normal
•High creatinine or low eGFR: Kidney disease, dehydration, excessive muscle breakdown
•For protocols: Some peptides stress kidneys; regular monitoring is crucial
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
•Reference range: 7-20 mg/dL
•High: Kidney disease, dehydration, high protein intake
•Low: Liver disease, pregnancy, overhydration
•For protocols: Elevated BUN + high creatinine suggests kidney stress; consult provider
Liver Enzymes (ALT, AST)
•ALT reference range: 7-56 U/L
•AST reference range: 10-40 U/L
•High: Liver damage, hepatitis, certain medications, intense exercise
•For protocols: Peptides metabolize in liver; monitoring prevents damage
•Note: Slight elevations after injections are often temporary
Albumin
•Reference range: 3.5-5.5 g/dL
•Low: Malnutrition, liver disease, kidney disease, inflammation
•Function: Carries nutrients and hormones; critical for recovery
•For protocols: Low albumin suggests poor nutrition or absorption; address before continuing
Lipid Panel
Total Cholesterol
•Reference range: <200 mg/dL (desirable)
•High: Cardiovascular risk, genetic factors, poor diet
•For protocols: Some peptides can raise cholesterol; monitor trends
LDL Cholesterol ("Bad")
•Reference range: <100 mg/dL (optimal)
•High: Cardiovascular risk
•For protocols: Track closely; some peptides may increase LDL
HDL Cholesterol ("Good")
•Reference range: >40 mg/dL for men; >50 mg/dL for women
•Low: Cardiovascular risk
•For protocols: Aim to maintain or raise HDL
Triglycerides
•Reference range: <150 mg/dL (fasting)
•High: Cardiovascular risk, poor diet, alcohol, metabolic syndrome
•For protocols: High triglycerides + high glucose suggests metabolic dysfunction
Hormone Markers
Total Testosterone
•Reference range: 300-1000 ng/dL for adult men
•Optimal: Often 600-900 ng/dL for health and recovery
•Low: Hypogonadism, stress, poor sleep, obesity
•For protocols: Core marker; most peptide users track regularly
Free Testosterone
•Reference range: 9-30 pg/mL for men
•Definition: Testosterone not bound to proteins; the most biologically active form
•For protocols: Tracks more directly than total; rising free testosterone indicates protocol effectiveness
Estradiol
•Reference range: <30 pg/mL for men (varies by lab)
•Optimal: 20-30 pg/mL for many
•High: Aromatization (testosterone conversion), obesity, liver dysfunction
•For protocols: Elevated estradiol can cause gynecomastia, fatigue; monitor closely
Prolactin
•Reference range: <17 ng/mL for men
•High: Stress, sleep deprivation, pituitary tumors, certain medications
•For protocols: Some peptides may elevate prolactin; monitor if using growth hormone secretagogues
IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1)
•Reference range: 83-213 ng/mL for adult men (varies by age)
•High: Acromegaly, growth hormone excess
•Low: Growth hormone deficiency, malnutrition, liver disease
•For protocols: Key marker for growth hormone peptides; rising IGF-1 indicates effectiveness
When to Flag Results and Consult a Provider
Definitely flag and consult:
•Multiple values significantly outside reference ranges
•Any flagged cardiac markers (especially potassium, troponin)
•Liver enzymes elevated >2x the upper reference limit
•Kidney markers (creatinine, BUN, eGFR) trending worse
•Blood glucose trending toward diabetes range
•Hormone levels dramatically different from baseline
Reassess before next dose:
•Moderately elevated liver or kidney markers
•Cholesterol trending upward
•Testosterone too high or too low for protocol
•Any new symptoms (pain, swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain)
Tracking Trends Over Time
Single results are snapshots; trends over months matter more. Log all your blood work in MyProtocolStack:
•Date of test
•All marker values
•Reference ranges used
•Any notes about symptoms or protocol changes
Over time, you'll see whether your protocol is moving values in the right direction (testosterone up, cholesterol stable, kidney function preserved) or causing problems.
Common Misconceptions
Myth 1: Any flagged value means disease
False. Context matters. A slightly elevated liver enzyme after intense exercise is benign. The same elevation with jaundice suggests liver disease.
Myth 2: Reference ranges are gold standards
Not entirely. Reference ranges represent statistical averages, not optimal health. Your optimal values may differ.
Myth 3: You should chase numbers, not symptoms
Wrong. Excellent blood work with symptoms of illness suggests something is missed. Always consider how you feel.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, adjusting, or stopping any peptide protocol. MyProtocolStack is a protocol tracking and blood work analysis platform - it is not a medical device and does not provide clinical recommendations.