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