If you had a metabolic panel done, whether with a Zalud at-home kit or somewhere else, this guide explains each result in plain language. Read it carefully and share it with your doctor.
This guide is for educational purposes only. It doesn't replace a conversation with a healthcare provider and is not a diagnosis. Zalud does not prescribe medication. If your results show a problem, we'll guide you to the right next step.
This guide covers: HbA1c, Fasting Blood Sugar, Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, Liver Enzymes (AST/ALT) and Creatinine (kidney function).
How to read the colors: 🟢 Low risk · 🟡 Moderate · 🟠 Moderate to high · 🔴 High
Blood sugar, also called glucose, is the main source of energy your body uses every day. Two different tests measure your sugar in different ways. Together, they give us a more complete picture.
This test shows your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. Think of it as a report card for your blood sugar over time. No fasting required.
🟢 Below 5.7% · Normal
Your average blood sugar is in a healthy range.
Risk: Low
🟠 5.7% to 6.4% · Prediabetes
Your blood sugar is higher than ideal. This is a window of opportunity to make changes.
Risk: Moderate to high
🔴 6.5% or higher · Diabetes
Your average blood sugar meets the criteria for diabetes. Following up with your doctor is important.
Risk: High
Not all prediabetes is the same. An HbA1c between 5.7 and 6.0% is lower risk. Between 6.0 and 6.4%, there's a 25 to 50% chance of developing diabetes within 5 years without making changes. The closer you are to 6.5%, the more important it is to act now.
⚠️ Important: HbA1c may not be accurate if you have anemia, sickle cell trait, kidney disease, or are pregnant. Tell your doctor if any of these apply to you.
This test measures your blood sugar after at least 8 hours without eating or drinking anything but water. It captures how your blood sugar looks when your body is at rest.
🟢 Below 100 mg/dL
Healthy range.
Risk: Low
🟠 100 to 125 mg/dL
Higher than ideal. A window of opportunity to make changes.
Risk: Moderate to high
🔴 126 mg/dL or higher
Meets the threshold for diabetes. Following up with your doctor is important.
Risk: High
A single abnormal fasting blood sugar result doesn't automatically mean you have diabetes. Two abnormal results are needed to confirm a diagnosis. Your primary care doctor will guide this process.
If your HbA1c and fasting blood sugar fall into different categories, your action plan follows the higher-risk result. Bring both numbers to your doctor.
Your next step: blood sugar
If your results are in the prediabetes or diabetes range, see your doctor. You can also request a consultation with a Zalud provider to understand what your numbers mean and build a lifestyle plan before that visit.
Cholesterol is a type of fat in your blood. Your panel measured four things. Each one tells a different part of the story about your heart health. Too much of the wrong kind of fat builds up in your arteries and raises your risk of heart attack and stroke.
The overall amount of cholesterol in your blood. Think of it as the big-picture number.
🟢 Below 200 mg/dL
Healthy range.
Risk: Low
🟡 200 to 239 mg/dL
Borderline high.
Risk: Moderate
🔴 240 mg/dL or higher
High.
Risk: High
Total cholesterol alone doesn't tell the whole story. The balance between good and bad cholesterol matters just as much. Keep reading.
LDL is the kind that sticks to the walls of your arteries. Over time, too much LDL narrows them. Lower is better.
🟢 Below 100 mg/dL
Best level.
Risk: Low
🟢 100 to 129 mg/dL
Acceptable.
Risk: Low to moderate
🟡 130 to 159 mg/dL
Borderline high.
Risk: Moderate
🟠 160 to 189 mg/dL
High.
Risk: High
🔴 190 mg/dL or higher
Very high.
Risk: Very high
LDL is the most important number on your cholesterol panel. If your LDL is 190 or higher, see your doctor soon. This is a high-priority number.
HDL is the cleanup crew. It picks up extra cholesterol and carries it to your liver to be removed. Higher is generally better, but there is a limit.
🔴 Too low
Men: below 40 mg/dL · Women: below 50 mg/dL
Risk: High
🟡 Acceptable
Men: 40 to 59 mg/dL · Women: 50 to 59 mg/dL
Risk: Moderate
🟢 Good range
Men: 60 to 79 mg/dL · Women: 60 to 99 mg/dL
Risk: Low
⚠️ Too high
Men: 80 mg/dL or higher · Women: 100 mg/dL or higher
See note below.
Research now shows that very high HDL, 80 or higher in men and 100 or higher in women, may increase risk. There are no medications recommended to raise HDL. Lifestyle is your best tool.
Triglycerides are fats your body stores from extra calories. High levels are often linked to too much sugar, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol.
🟢 Below 100 mg/dL
Best level.
Risk: Low
🟢 100 to 149 mg/dL
Normal.
Risk: Low
🟡 150 to 199 mg/dL
Borderline high.
Risk: Moderate
🟠 200 to 499 mg/dL
High.
Risk: High
🔴 500 mg/dL or higher
Very high.
Risk: Very high
⚠️ Important: Very high triglycerides, over 500 mg/dL, can cause a painful condition called pancreatitis. See your doctor right away if your level is this high.
Your next step: cholesterol
If any of your cholesterol numbers are above normal, see your doctor. You can also request a consultation with a Zalud provider to understand your results and build a plan.
Your liver does important work: it cleans your blood, helps digest food, and stores energy. AST and ALT are proteins your liver uses. When your liver is under stress, these proteins leak into your blood. A high level can be a sign that something needs attention.
Many things can temporarily raise liver enzymes, including alcohol, certain medications, extra weight, a diet high in sugar, and not moving enough.
Normal AST and ALT levels are different for men and women. Find the card where your number falls based on your sex. That card tells you your category and what to do next.
🟢 Normal
Men: 33 IU/L or below · Women: 25 IU/L or below
What to do: No action needed. Keep up your healthy habits.
🟡 Borderline high
Men: 34 to 66 IU/L · Women: 26 to 50 IU/L
What to do: See your doctor. You can request a consultation with a Zalud provider.
🟠 Mildly high
Men: 67 to 165 IU/L · Women: 51 to 125 IU/L
What to do: See your doctor soon. You can request a consultation with a Zalud provider.
🔴 Moderately high or above
Men: above 165 IU/L · Women: above 125 IU/L
What to do: See your doctor as soon as possible. If you have symptoms, go to the emergency room.
🚨 If your result is moderately high or above
Don't wait for a Zalud consultation. See your doctor as soon as possible. If you have yellow skin or eyes, belly pain, confusion, or are vomiting, go to the emergency room right away. These can be signs of a serious liver problem.
Your next step: liver enzymes
If your result is borderline high or mildly high, you can request a consultation with a Zalud provider to understand what it means and build a lifestyle plan. If it's moderately high or above, go straight to your doctor.
Creatinine is a waste product your muscles make every day. Your kidneys filter it out of your blood. When your kidneys work well, creatinine stays at a normal level. When they don't filter properly, creatinine builds up.
⚠️ Important: Your creatinine number alone doesn't tell the whole story. The same number can mean very different things depending on your age, whether you're a man or a woman, and how much muscle you have. Your doctor will use your number to calculate something called eGFR, which is the real measure of how well your kidneys are working. Zalud does not calculate eGFR. Your doctor does.
🟢 Normal
Women: 0.6 to 1.0 mg/dL · Men: 0.7 to 1.2 mg/dL
In the expected range. A good sign.
What to do: Share with your doctor at your next visit.
🟠 Above the normal range
Higher than expected. Needs follow-up. Your doctor will calculate your eGFR.
What to do: See your doctor within a few weeks.
🔴 Sudden increase or you have symptoms
May be a kidney emergency.
What to do: Go to the emergency room now. Don't wait.
🚨 If you have these symptoms right now, go to the emergency room:
• Much less urine than normal, or none at all
• Swelling in your legs, ankles, or face
• Sudden confusion or trouble thinking
• Extreme tiredness that came on suddenly
• Severe nausea or vomiting that won't stop
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Don't wait for a Zalud consultation.
Your results are a starting point, not a final answer. Here's what to do with them:
You can request a provider consultation or order your next test at zalud.com.
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