How to Read Your Medical Reports Before a Doctor Visit (Indian Patient Guide)

Why You Should Read Your Own Reports First

Most Indian patients hand the lab report to the doctor without looking. A 15-minute reading at home helps you:

• Ask focused questions during your appointment
• Spot critical values that need urgent attention
• Reduce anxiety from misinterpreting results

Common Blood Tests — What They Mean

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

• Hemoglobin (Hb) — Low = anemia. Normal: Men 13–17, Women 12–15 g/dL.
• WBC count — High = infection. Normal: 4,000–11,000/μL.
• Platelets — Low = bleeding risk. Normal: 1,50,000–4,50,000/μL.

Lipid Profile

• Total Cholesterol — Goal <200 mg/dL.
• LDL (bad) — Goal <100 (or <70 if heart disease).
• HDL (good) — Higher is better. Goal >40 men, >50 women.
• Triglycerides — Goal <150 mg/dL.

Blood Sugar

• Fasting — Normal <100, Pre-diabetes 100–125, Diabetes >126
• HbA1c — 3-month average. Normal <5.7%, Pre-diabetes 5.7–6.4%, Diabetes >6.5%

Liver / Kidney

• SGPT/SGOT — High = liver inflammation
• Creatinine — High = kidney problem. Normal 0.6–1.3 mg/dL

Thyroid

• TSH — Normal 0.4–4.5. High = hypothyroidism, Low = hyperthyroidism

Reading an MRI / CT Report

Look for: Clinical Indication → Findings → Impression. Read the Impression first.

Reading a Biopsy Report

Look for: Diagnosis, Tumor grade (Low = slow, High = aggressive), Tumor size, Margins, Lymph nodes, IHC markers.

When to Worry — Critical Values

Contact your doctor immediately for:

• Hemoglobin < 7 g/dL
• Platelets < 50,000
• Creatinine > 2.0 (sudden rise)
• Blood sugar > 300 or < 50 mg/dL
• Any cancer-positive biopsy

You can upload reports on SecondDoctorOpinion.com and get a specialist's plain-language explanation within 48 hours for ₹1,500.