How to Read Your Blood Test Results (2026 Guide)

Medically reviewed by Dr. Paul Yonga, Medical Director & Infectious Disease Specialist · Last updated: 2026-07-24

Key Takeaways

NCDs cause 45% of deaths in Kenya (up from 35% in 2003); over 75% of Kenyans carry 4-6 NCD risk factors at once.
Fasting blood sugar below 5.6 mmol/L is normal; 5.6-6.9 is pre-diabetes; 7.0+ on two tests indicates diabetes.
Cardiovascular disease causes 59% of NCD deaths; hypertension affects 28.6% of Kenyans but only 29.4% of those know it.
Kenya's SHA/Primary Healthcare Fund now covers basic diagnostic screening for all citizens regardless of contribution status.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

One of the most commonly ordered blood tests, giving a snapshot of your overall health.

Key CBC Components

Haemoglobin (Hb)

Normal: 13.5–17.5 g/dL (men), 12.0–16.0 g/dL (women). Low may indicate anaemia; high may suggest dehydration.

White Blood Cells (WBC)

Normal: ~4,500–11,000 cells/µL. Elevated can indicate infection/inflammation; low may suggest immune deficiency.

Platelet Count

Normal: 150,000–400,000/µL. Abnormal counts can affect your body's ability to stop bleeding.

Haematocrit (HCT)

Normal: ~38–50% (men), 36–44% (women) — the % of blood volume made up of red blood cells.

Blood Sugar (Glucose) Levels

Diabetes accounts for 12% of NCD deaths in Kenya; national prevalence ranges from 2.7% to 8.7% in some rural populations, with 9.1% of cases undiagnosed.

Glucose Markers

Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)

Taken after 8-12h fasting. Normal: below 5.6 mmol/L. Pre-diabetes: 5.6–6.9 mmol/L. Diabetes: 7.0 mmol/L+ on two separate tests.

HbA1c

Average blood sugar over 2-3 months. Normal: below 5.7%. Pre-diabetes: 5.7-6.4%. Diabetes: 6.5%+.

Understanding your blood sugar levels early can help prevent the progression from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes alone.

Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Panel)

Cardiovascular disease accounts for 59% of NCD deaths in Kenya. Hypertension affects 28.6% of the population, yet only 29.4% are aware and just 6.5% are on medication.

Cholesterol Markers

Total Cholesterol

Desirable: below 5.2 mmol/L. High: above 6.2 mmol/L.

LDL (Bad Cholesterol)

Optimal: below 2.6 mmol/L. High LDL increases risk of arterial plaque build-up.

HDL (Good Cholesterol)

Higher is better: above 1.0 mmol/L (men), above 1.3 mmol/L (women).

Triglycerides

Normal: below 1.7 mmol/L. Elevated levels often accompany unhealthy diet/lifestyle factors.

Liver & Kidney Function Tests

These tests evaluate how well your liver and kidneys are filtering and processing substances in your body.

Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

ALT

Normal: 7-56 U/L. Elevated may indicate liver inflammation/damage.

AST

Normal: 10-40 U/L. Also found in heart/muscle, so elevated AST isn't liver-specific alone.

ALP

Normal: 44-147 U/L. High levels may indicate bile duct problems or bone disorders.

Bilirubin

Normal total: 0.1-1.2 mg/dL. Elevated levels cause jaundice; may indicate liver disease or bile duct obstruction.

Albumin

Normal: 3.5-5.5 g/dL. Low levels can indicate chronic liver disease or malnutrition.

Kidney Function Tests

Creatinine

Normal: ~0.7-1.3 mg/dL (men), 0.6-1.1 mg/dL (women). Elevated suggests reduced kidney function.

BUN

Normal: 7-20 mg/dL. High levels can indicate kidney disease, dehydration, or a high-protein diet.

eGFR

Above 90 mL/min is normal. Below 60 mL/min sustained over 3 months may indicate chronic kidney disease.

Thyroid Function & Urinalysis

Thyroid Function Tests

TSH

Normal: 0.4-4.0 mIU/L. High suggests underactive thyroid; low may indicate overactive thyroid.

Free T4

Normal: 0.8-1.8 ng/dL. Regulates metabolism, energy, and body temperature.

Urinalysis

Protein

Should not be present in significant amounts; can indicate kidney problems.

Glucose

Should not be present; may suggest uncontrolled diabetes.

Blood

Trace blood may indicate UTI, kidney stones, or other conditions.

pH & Specific Gravity

Helps assess hydration status and kidney function.

When to Follow Up with Your Doctor

This guide helps you understand your results, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Any of your results fall outside the normal reference range.
You have persistent symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or frequent infections.
Your doctor has flagged specific results for further investigation.
You have a family history of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease.
It has been more than 12 months since your last comprehensive check-up.

Regular health check-ups are not just for when you feel unwell. Preventive screening helps catch potential problems early, when they are most treatable.

Health Screening Costs and Coverage in Kenya

Since October 1, 2024, Kenya's Social Health Authority (SHA) replaced NHIF. The Primary Healthcare Fund (PHF) under SHA now covers basic diagnostic tests and health screenings for all citizens regardless of contribution status, making preventive care more accessible than ever.

For comprehensive screening packages in Nairobi, typical costs range from KES 7,000 for a basic antenatal or diabetes screening, KES 11,000-11,500 for gender-specific wellness packages (including AMH for women and PSA for men), to KES 24,000 for a comprehensive wellness check covering thyroid function, cancer markers, and ECG. Home sample collection is also available, with fees ranging from KES 500 to KES 2,000 depending on your location. See our full price comparison guide for details.

Get Your Health Check-Up at CA Medlynks

At CA Medlynks, we offer comprehensive health check-up packages that include all the tests described above and more. Our KENAS-accredited laboratory ensures accurate, reliable results, and our medical team is available to help you understand what your numbers mean and what steps to take next.

Why Patients Choose Us

KENAS-accredited (ISO 15189:2022)
Results explained by our medical team, not just numbers on paper
Home sample collection available

Visit Us

Address: Daykio Plaza, Ground Floor, Off Ngong Lane, Nairobi

Phone: +254 741 669 175

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about follow-up care, insurance, and costs.

QWhen should I follow up with my doctor about my results?+

Schedule a follow-up if any results fall outside the normal reference range, you have persistent symptoms such as fatigue or unexplained weight loss, your doctor has flagged specific results for further investigation, you have a family history of chronic disease, or it has been more than 12 months since your last comprehensive check-up.

QDoes Kenya's SHA cover health check-up costs?+

QWhat's the difference between fasting blood sugar and HbA1c?+

Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) is a single measurement taken after 8-12 hours of fasting. HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) provides an average of your blood sugar over the past 2-3 months, giving a longer-term picture than a single FBS reading.

QHow much does a comprehensive health screening cost in Nairobi?+

Typical costs in Nairobi range from KES 7,000 for a basic antenatal or diabetes screening, KES 11,000-11,500 for gender-specific wellness packages, up to KES 24,000 for a comprehensive wellness check covering thyroid function, cancer markers, and ECG. Home sample collection is available for an additional KES 500-2,000 depending on location.

Medically Reviewed By

This guide has been medically reviewed and is based on current Kenyan public health data and standard laboratory reference ranges.

Dr. Paul Yonga

Medical Director & Infectious Disease Specialist

Qualifications

MBChB — Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery
MSPH — Master of Science in Public Health
FRCP (Edin) — Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Areas of Expertise

Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases
Travel & Immigration Medicine

Dr. Duncan Ajowi

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist