LabSense Blog
- Urinalysis Basics: Protein, Blood, Nitrite/Leukocyte Esterase, Specific Gravity, and Microscopy
How to read a urine dipstick and sediment: false positives, contamination, when to confirm with microscopy and urine albumin/creatinine ratio.
9/7/2025
- Prolactin High (Hyperprolactinemia): Macroprolactin, Medications, Pregnancy/Lactation, and When to Image
Elevated prolactin explained: physiologic causes, drug effects, macroprolactin interference, repeat fasting testing, and when pituitary MRI is discussed.
9/6/2025
- Ferritin High: Inflammation vs Iron Overload and How To Tell the Difference
High ferritin explained: acute-phase reactant, transferrin saturation to separate inflammation from iron overload, metabolic syndrome links, and HFE testing contexts.
9/5/2025
- Non-HDL Cholesterol: A Powerful, Practical Target Especially When Triglycerides Are High
Why non-HDL-C captures all atherogenic particles, how to calculate it, typical targets, and how to lower it.
9/4/2025
- HDL Cholesterol Low: What It Really Means and How To Improve Your Risk Profile
Low HDL explained: why it is a marker not a direct drug target, lifestyle changes that help, and focusing on overall ASCVD risk reduction.
9/3/2025
- Triglycerides High (Hypertriglyceridemia): Risks, Causes, and How to Lower Them
High triglycerides explained: pancreatitis risk, secondary causes (alcohol, diabetes, hypothyroidism), diet patterns that work, and therapy discussions.
9/2/2025
- Potassium High (Hyperkalemia): Urgent Flags, Common Causes, and What To Do Next
Elevated potassium explained: ECG risk thresholds, hemolysis vs true elevation, ACEi/ARB and K-sparing diuretics, kidney function, and diet tips.
9/1/2025
- Sodium Low (Hyponatremia): Types, Causes, and Safety Checks
Low sodium explained: SIADH, diuretics, heart/liver/kidney failure, polydipsia, glucose correction, and why rapid correction can be dangerous.
8/31/2025
- CRP High (C-Reactive Protein): What It Means, Limits of the Test, and Trend-Based Decisions
CRP explained: acute inflammation vs chronic, hs-CRP for heart risk, why trend and symptoms matter more than any single value.
8/28/2025
- eGFR Low (Decreased Kidney Function): Staging, Causes, and Smart Follow-Up
Low eGFR explained: CKD staging, creatinine trends, albumin/creatinine ratio, blood pressure, diabetes control, and when escalation is needed.
8/27/2025
- Vitamin D Low (Deficiency): What Levels Mean, Repletion, and Recheck Timing
25-OH vitamin D explained: symptoms, who to test, repletion strategies discussed with clinicians, and when to recheck.
8/26/2025
- TSH High (Elevated): Hypothyroidism Patterns, Symptoms, and Follow-Up
High TSH explained in plain language: subclinical vs overt hypothyroidism, common symptoms, antibody tests, and when clinicians repeat labs.
8/24/2025
- Bilirubin High: Direct vs Indirect, Gilbert Syndrome, and When to Image
Unconjugated (indirect) vs conjugated (direct) bilirubin patterns, hemolysis, Gilbert syndrome, cholestasis, ultrasound/MRCP discussion, and urgent warning signs.
8/23/2025
- Bilirubin High: Direct vs Indirect, Gilbert Syndrome, and When to Image
Unconjugated (indirect) vs conjugated (direct) bilirubin patterns, hemolysis, Gilbert syndrome, cholestasis, ultrasound/MRCP discussion, and urgent warning signs.
8/23/2025
- Alkaline Phosphatase High (ALP): Liver vs Bone Causes, GGT Clues, and Next Steps
Elevated alkaline phosphatase explained: cholestasis vs bone turnover, using GGT to locate the source, ultrasound, vitamin D and PTH checks, and red-flag symptoms.
8/22/2025
- ALT & AST High (Elevated Liver Enzymes): Causes, Patterns, and Next Steps
Elevated ALT/AST explained: fatty liver, alcohol, viral hepatitis, medications, muscle injury. How to read ratios, when to repeat, and safety red flags.
8/21/2025
- Iron Studies Explained: Ferritin, Iron, TIBC & Saturation
Connect ferritin, iron, TIBC, and transferrin saturation to spot deficiency or inflammation patterns.
8/20/2025
- A1c & Glucose Tests Explained: What the Numbers Mean
How A1c and glucose fit together, what can skew results, and smart follow-up steps.
8/19/2025
- Lipid Panel Explained: LDL, HDL, Triglycerides & Risk
Understand LDL/HDL/TG, non-HDL cholesterol, lifestyle levers, and guideline-style discussions.
8/18/2025
- Thyroid Tests Explained: TSH, Free T4 & Antibodies
How TSH, free T4/T3 and antibodies fit together, common patterns, and follow-up timing.
8/17/2025
- Metabolic Panel Explained: Electrolytes, Kidney & Liver
Sodium, potassium, creatinine/eGFR, glucose, and liver enzymes in plain language.
8/16/2025
- CBC Results Explained: WBC, Hb, MCV & Platelets
How to read a CBC, connect patterns, and plan safe next steps (education only).
8/15/2025
- CBC Results Explained: WBC, Hemoglobin, MCV & Platelets (Complete Blood Count)
Complete Blood Count (CBC) explained in plain language: high/low WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, RDW, platelets, and common patterns clinicians look for.
8/15/2025