Accessing, understanding, and interpreting your NHS test results — a step-by-step guide
Written by Trevor Sebuliba, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, BSc, MSc, NMP · Reviewed 2026
Millions of blood tests are carried out by the NHS each year, yet many patients find their results confusing, full of unfamiliar abbreviations, and accompanied by a brief message that simply says "normal" — leaving them none the wiser about what was actually checked. This guide explains how to access your results online and what the key values mean.
There are three main ways to view your NHS blood test results digitally:
Most blood test results appear as a table with three main columns: the test name, your result value (with units), and the reference range. If your result falls outside the reference range, it is typically flagged with an "H" (High) or "L" (Low).
An "H" flag means your result is above the upper limit of the normal reference range. An "L" flag means it is below the lower limit. These flags are automatically generated by the laboratory software and do not in themselves mean you are ill — a single mildly abnormal result often requires context, repeat testing, or simply a clinical explanation (such as dehydration causing a temporarily raised creatinine, or a low haemoglobin that is borderline and expected in a menstruating woman).
Your GP reviews all flagged results before they are released to you. If your result was released with a message like "No action needed" or "Within acceptable limits for you," this means your GP has reviewed it and is not concerned.
| Test / Abbreviation | What It Measures | Why It's Done |
|---|---|---|
| FBC (Full Blood Count) | Red cells, white cells, platelets, haemoglobin | Anaemia, infection, blood disorders |
| HbA1c | Average blood sugar over 3 months | Diabetes screening and monitoring |
| U&Es (Urea & Electrolytes) | Kidney function, sodium, potassium, creatinine, eGFR | Kidney disease, dehydration, medication monitoring |
| LFTs (Liver Function Tests) | Liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), bilirubin, albumin | Liver disease, medication monitoring |
| Lipid Profile | Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides | Cardiovascular risk assessment |
| TFTs (Thyroid Function Tests) | TSH, Free T4, Free T3 | Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism |
| CRP | C-reactive protein — inflammation marker | Infection, autoimmune conditions, monitoring |
| Ferritin / Iron studies | Iron stores, transferrin saturation | Iron deficiency, anaemia |
| Vitamin B12 and Folate | B12 and folate levels | Macrocytic anaemia, neurological symptoms |
| Vitamin D (25-OH) | Vitamin D status | Bone health, immune function, deficiency screening |
| PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) | Prostate marker | Prostate cancer screening (males) |
| HCG (Beta-hCG) | Pregnancy hormone | Pregnancy confirmation, molar pregnancy, monitoring |
A reference range is the range of values considered "normal" for a given test in a healthy population. Most labs define the reference range as the values that cover the middle 95% of results from healthy adults — which means that statistically, 1 in 20 healthy people will have a result outside the reference range by chance alone, even when nothing is wrong.
Reference ranges can vary between laboratories (because of different analysers and methods), between different patient groups (males vs females, adults vs children, pregnant vs non-pregnant), and based on whether you were fasting. Always use the reference range printed on your own report.
Do not use online results services to make your own diagnosis. They are intended to give you access to your own health information, not to replace a consultation with your doctor.
Blood test reports are primarily written for clinicians and lab technicians, not for patients. They use medical abbreviations, SI units, and reference ranges that require medical training to contextualise properly. This is why many patients feel confused after accessing their results online — having the raw numbers without interpretation is like receiving a weather forecast in raw meteorological data rather than "sunny, high of 20°C."
Upload a photo or copy-paste your blood test results, and HealthLens will give you a clear, plain-English explanation of every value — what it means, whether it's a concern, and what to discuss with your GP.
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