How to read your parent’s lab report: HbA1c, lipids, thyroid, kidney and CBC

A plain-English guide to the tests on common Indian health-checkup packages, what the printed range means, and what to ask the doctor.

Updated 2026-09-19 · Athnova Care care team

This guide is general information to help families organise care. It is not medical advice — follow your parent's doctor.

Start with the printed reference range

Every Indian lab prints a reference range next to each result. Ranges vary slightly between labs and methods, so compare results from the same lab where possible and always read the range printed on that report.

Common tests in a health panel

HbA1c — average blood sugar over about 3 months.
Fasting glucose — sugar after an overnight fast.
Lipid profile — total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides.
TSH (and sometimes T3/T4) — thyroid function.
Creatinine and eGFR — kidney function; urea and uric acid are often included.
CBC — haemoglobin, white cells, platelets.
Vitamin D and B12 — commonly low in older adults.
SGPT/ALT and SGOT/AST — liver enzymes.

Trends matter more than one result

A single value slightly outside the range may not mean much; a steady move over three reports does. Put results side by side before the doctor visit.

Questions to ask the doctor

Which values are outside the range and do they matter for my parent?
What should the next target be?
When should we repeat this test?

Try it on a real report

Our free lab report explainer lists every value with its printed range in plain English. It does not store your file and it does not diagnose.

Questions families ask

Why are the reference ranges different between labs?

Labs use different machines and methods; always read the range printed on the same report.

Related guides

Athnova Care tracks and coordinates care. It does not diagnose, prescribe or replace a doctor. In a medical emergency in India call 112.