Common labs and recommended values for your health

There are 18 common lab tests your primary care provider may request before or after your regular wellness exam. If your common lab values are not within the appropriate range, your health care provider can identify health concerns such as diabetes or high cholesterol.

The basic panel

Photo of hands of a doctor and patient discussing common lab results. — By running common labs annually, your primary care provider can monitor changes in your lab data over time.

A basic panel tests for eight substances in your blood and gives information to your provider about how your body uses energy. Depending on your health history, your provider may order labs at each visit or every few years.

The common eight substances and conditions associated with abnormal levels include:

Glucose – Diabetes/prediabetes
- Normal range for glucose is 64–100 milligram per deciliter.
Calcium – Parathyroid abnormalities; medications; decreased oral intake
- Normal range for calcium is 5 to 10.2 milligram per deciliter.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) – Kidney disease; dehydration]
- Normal range for Blood Unrea Nitrogen is 6–20 milligram per deciliter.
Creatinine – kidney disease; dehydration
- Normal range for creatinine is 0.8–1.2 milligram per deciliter.
Sodium – Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH); medications; kidney disease
- Normal range for sodium is 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter.
Potassium – Medications like diuretics; kidney disease
- Normal range for potassium is 3.7–5.2 milliequivalents per liter.
Chloride/Carbon dioxide – kidney disease; respiratory conditions; metabolic emergencies; toxins/poisoning
- Normal range for chloride is 96–106 millimoles per litre.
- Normal range for carbon dioxide is 23–29 millimoles per litre.

The comprehensive panel

The comprehensive panel evaluates the eight substances from the basic panel, as well as six additional substances:

Albumin – The main protein in your blood.
- Normal range for albumin is 3.4 and 5.4 grams per deciliter.
Total protein
- Normal range for total protein is 6.0 to 8.3 grams per deciliter or 60 to 83 grams per deciliter.
These three enzympes that are made in your liver:
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) – Normal range is 44–147 international units per liter.
- Alanine transaminase (ALT) – Normal range is 4-36 units per liter.
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) – Normal range is 8-33 units per liter.
Bilirubin – This is a waste product from your body to break down red blood cells.
- Normal range for total bilirubin is 0.2-1.3 milligrams per deciliter.

Your provider may order a comprehensive panel if you are on certain medications to monitor liver function or if you have a chronic condition like fatty liver.

Both basic and comprehensive panels provide valuable information to your primary care provider about health conditions that cannot be seen with the naked eye, such as diabetes or kidney disease. If these conditions progress too far, it could be bad for your health.

Lipid panel blood test for cholesterol

A lipid panel measures the amount of cholesterol in your blood, which includes information about HDL, LDL and triglycerides.

HDL (or high-density lipoprotein) is also known as “good cholesterol.” This is the type of cholesterol where it’s good to have a high number. HDL helps your body remove other types of cholesterol from your body. High HDL can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. A normal range for HDL is 60 milligrams per deciliter or above.
LDL (or low-density lipoprotein) is the cholesterol your provider wants to watch. High LDL can increase your risk of heart disease. LDL can build up in your blood vessels and, as it builds up over time, can lead to a narrowing of your blood vessels. Fortunately, you can potentially lower your LDL with simple lifestyle interventions and medication before it leads to heart disease or stroke. A normal range for LDL are 100 milligrams per deciliter or below.
Triglycerides are a specific type of fat in your blood. Triglycerides are unused calories stored in your fat cells for use. Heart disease is a common result from high triglycerides. A normal range for triglyceride should be below 150 milligrams per deciliter.

“Lipid testing is the only way to detect cholesterol problems,” said Taylor Joswiak, physician assistant with Marshfield Clinic Health System. “Through early testing and detection, you can be proactive and lower risk of heart disease and stroke.”

Thyroid panel

A thyroid panel evaluates how well your thyroid is functioning. If your thyroid is functioning poorly, it can have a significant impact on weight, mood, sleep, digestion and energy.

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) are common culprits for many health complaints, which is why it is one of the common lab values.

“A thyroid panel is a great screening test if you’re experiencing new symptoms that don’t have another explanation,” Joswiak said. “For example, if you haven’t changed your diet or exercise habits but have gained some weight since your last visit, your provider may order a thyroid panel to ensure that your thyroid is functioning properly.”

Your provider can often treat thyroid issues with medications.

Blood sugar levels

A1C, or HbA1C, is also known as glycated hemoglobin. This test shows how well you’re managing your blood sugar and gives your primary care provider your average blood sugar over the last 8 to 12 weeks. This test is different from a blood glucose test, which gives a snapshot of your current blood glucose level.

A high A1C reading indicates that your blood sugar is poorly controlled. Your provider can use an A1C test to screen for diabetes as well as monitor how well diabetes treatment is going. A normal A1C level is below 5.7%.

Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that your body needs for a number of functions, including calcium absorption, regulation of your immune system, and protecting the health of your bones, muscles and heart.

Many people, especially in Wisconsin, don’t get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency can be responsible for fatigue, depression, muscle aches or pains, weight gain and low immune function.

Your provider can test for vitamin D deficiency with a simple blood test. If you are unable to get vitamin D from your diet and sunlight exposure, prescription vitamin D supplements can help. A normal vitamin D level is between 20-40 nanograms per milliliter.

Additional blood tests

It’s important to check with your insurance provider before requesting certain blood tests to make sure they are covered.

Complete blood count is a good screening test that can help detect anemia, infection, platelet disorders, bone marrow problems, along with forms of cancer like leukemia and lymphoma.

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the amount of PSA in a man’s blood to help screen for prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends a decision to have your PSA measured can be made after getting information about the possible benefits, risks, and uncertainties of prostate cancer screening. You can discuss with your doctor if this test is right for you.

Below is a graphic that shows common lab values:

common lab values chart

Download this common lab values graphic

Monitoring lab tests each year

By running lab tests annually, your primary care provider can monitor changes in your lab data over time.

“Your provider will pay attention to changes in your lab results, along with weight, blood pressure and other factors, to make sure you stay healthy and prevent chronic illnesses,” Joswiak said.

It only takes a few minutes to take a blood sample, but results may take a few weeks depending on the test. Your primary care provider or care team will follow-up with you during your appointment or contact you after receiving results if any concerns appear in the results.

Schedule an appointment with a Marshfield Clinic Health System primary care provider.

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