Medically reviewed by Dr Wenus Ho, Family Physician (MBChB Edinburgh, MRCP UK), Fusion Medical. Reviewed for accuracy against Singapore laboratory reporting standards.
If you have ever opened a health screening report and felt lost in a wall of abbreviations and numbers, you are not alone. This guide explains the most common blood markers in a Singapore health screening, what each one measures, and what a high or low reading may suggest. It is written to help you have a more informed conversation with your doctor, not to replace one.
At Fusion Medical, every health screening package concludes with a doctor consultation to review your results in plain language, so you are never left to interpret a report alone.
How to read a blood test report
Before looking at individual markers, it helps to understand the layout. A typical Singapore lab report shows four columns: the test name, your result, the units, and the reference range (sometimes called the normal range). Some reports add a flag such as H (high) or L (low).
Three principles are worth remembering:
| A result just outside the range is common and may not be significant on its own. Doctors interpret markers together, alongside your age, sex, family history and symptoms. |
| Reference ranges are population averages. They are set so that most healthy people fall inside them, but a value slightly outside does not always mean disease, and a value inside does not always mean everything is fine. |
| Trends matter more than a single snapshot. A marker that is rising year on year can be more useful than one reading in isolation, which is why regular screening has value. |
Lipid panel: your cholesterol markers
The lipid panel measures the fats in your blood and is one of the strongest predictors of heart and blood vessel risk. Abnormal cholesterol usually causes no symptoms, which is exactly why screening matters.
| Marker | What it measures | General guide |
|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | All cholesterol in the blood | Lower is generally better; interpreted with the other lipids |
| LDL cholesterol | “Bad” cholesterol that builds up in arteries | Lower is better; target depends on your overall heart risk |
| HDL cholesterol | “Good” cholesterol that clears fat from arteries | Higher is generally protective |
| Triglycerides | Fat from food and the liver | Raised by sugar, alcohol and excess calories |
A raised LDL or triglyceride level, or a low HDL level, increases cardiovascular risk over time. Your doctor sets your personal LDL target based on other risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and family history, which is why two people with the same number can receive different advice. If your lipids are consistently high, our doctors may discuss lifestyle changes, and where appropriate the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP), which supports ongoing care for conditions like high cholesterol.
Blood sugar markers: screening for diabetes
Two markers are commonly used to assess diabetes risk.
Fasting blood glucose measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast. This is why most screening packages ask you to fast for 8 hours beforehand.
HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) reflects your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months, so it is usually not affected by what you ate that morning. It is expressed as a percentage.
Results are generally read in three bands: normal, prediabetes (a warning zone where blood sugar is higher than ideal but not yet in the diabetes range), and diabetes. Prediabetes is important because it is often reversible with diet, weight and activity changes. If your reading falls into this zone, structured support through weight management or the CDMP can help you act early. Eligible Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may also access subsidised diabetes screening through Screen for Life.
Liver function test (LFT)
The liver panel checks how well your liver is working and whether its cells are under stress. Common markers include:
- ALT and AST are enzymes released when liver cells are irritated or damaged. Mildly raised levels are frequently linked to fatty liver, which is increasingly common and often related to weight, sugar and alcohol.
- ALP and GGT relate to the bile ducts; GGT can also rise with alcohol intake.
- Bilirubin is a pigment processed by the liver. A mild elevation is sometimes harmless (as in Gilbert’s syndrome), but higher levels need review.
- Albumin and total protein reflect the liver’s manufacturing function and your general nutritional status.
Because liver and heart health are often linked to the same lifestyle factors, patients with abnormal liver or lipid results may benefit from our dedicated Liver and Cardiovascular Health screening.
Kidney function (renal panel)
Your kidneys filter waste from the blood, and these markers show how well they are doing it.
- Creatinine is a waste product filtered by the kidneys. A raised level can indicate reduced kidney function.
- eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) is a calculated score, based on creatinine, that estimates your kidney filtration rate. A higher eGFR is generally better.
- Urea is another waste product; it can be affected by hydration and protein intake as well as kidney function.
- Electrolytes such as sodium and potassium reflect fluid balance and are important for heart and nerve function.
Kidney markers are especially important for anyone with high blood pressure or diabetes, since these conditions are leading causes of kidney disease. Ongoing monitoring is part of the CDMP.
Full blood count (FBC)
The full blood count looks at the cells circulating in your blood and can hint at anaemia, infection or other conditions.
- Haemoglobin (Hb) carries oxygen. A low level suggests anaemia, which is common in women with heavy periods and can cause fatigue.
- Red blood cell indices (MCV, MCH) help classify the type of anaemia, for example whether it is linked to iron deficiency.
- White blood cells (WBC) are part of your immune system. A raised count can accompany infection or inflammation, while a low count has its own set of causes.
- Platelets help your blood clot. Very high or very low counts warrant review.
An unexpected FBC result is one of the more common reasons a doctor recommends a repeat test or a further check, because these values can shift with a recent infection.
Thyroid function
Many comprehensive packages include TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), and sometimes free T4. The thyroid controls metabolism, so an underactive thyroid can cause tiredness, weight gain and low mood, while an overactive thyroid can cause weight loss, palpitations and anxiety. Thyroid conditions are more common in women and are worth checking when symptoms are unexplained. Thyroid assessment is part of our women’s health screening packages.
Tumour markers: what they can and cannot tell you
Higher-tier packages may include tumour markers, which are substances that can be raised in certain cancers. Common examples include CEA, AFP, CA 19-9, PSA in men, and CA 125 and CA 15-3 in women.
It is important to understand their limits. Tumour markers are screening aids, not diagnostic tests. A raised marker can occur for benign reasons, and a normal marker does not fully exclude cancer. They are most useful when interpreted by a doctor alongside imaging and your personal risk. For organ-specific concerns, dedicated pathways such as breast cancer screening and colorectal cancer screening are more reliable than blood markers alone. Where a deeper look is warranted, we also offer advanced multi-cancer early detection screening.
Other markers you may see
Depending on your package, your report may also include uric acid (raised levels are linked to gout), vitamin D (deficiency is common in office workers), iron studies, and hormonal markers such as FSH, LH and estradiol, which are helpful around perimenopause and menopause. Digestive symptoms may prompt a look at gut health.
What should you do after reading your results?
Reading your report is a starting point, not the finish line. Here is a sensible approach:
- Do not panic over a single flagged value. Many are mild and reversible.
- Look at the pattern. Several related markers pointing the same way (for example lipids plus blood sugar plus liver) tells a clearer story than one number.
- Bring the report to a doctor who can interpret it in the context of your age, sex, lifestyle and family history, and who can order any follow-up testing.
- Act on the fixable findings early, whether that means diet and exercise changes, monitoring, or treatment.
This is where a screening built around a doctor consultation makes the difference. At Fusion Medical, your results are reviewed with you by a family physician who explains the findings and guides your next steps, rather than handing you a report to decode on your own.
Frequently asked questions
What blood markers are included in a basic health screening in Singapore?
Most basic packages cover a lipid panel (cholesterol), blood sugar (fasting glucose and often HbA1c), liver function, kidney function and a full blood count.
Do I need to fast before a blood test?
Yes, most screenings require an 8 hour fast, mainly for accurate fasting glucose and lipid results. Plain water is allowed. Your clinic will confirm the requirements when you book.
Is a result outside the reference range something to worry about?
Not necessarily. A mildly abnormal value is common and is interpreted alongside your other markers, symptoms and history. Your doctor will tell you whether it needs monitoring, a repeat test, or action.
Can I use Medisave or subsidies for health screening?
Eligible Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents may access subsidised chronic disease screening through Screen for Life, and CHAS, Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation subsidies may apply. Please check eligibility with our clinic staff.
How often should I go for a blood screening?
For most healthy adults, an annual or biennial screening is reasonable, but the right interval depends on your age and risk factors. Your doctor can recommend a schedule that suits you.
Get your results explained by a doctor
A number on a page is only useful when someone helps you understand what it means for your health. Book a health screening at Fusion Medical and have your blood markers reviewed and explained by an experienced family physician.
From our doctors
How our doctors review your results
This guide provides general information and is not a diagnosis or substitute for personalised medical advice.
