September 2003

Make Blood-Test Results Work For You

Lab-test “normal” ranges may be just that or they may be a red flag.

You have to take your horse’s health into your own hands, and that includes understanding blood-test results and their significance.

You just got a copy of your horse’s blood tests. The veterinarian said everything was “normal.” Then you start to look at the actual numbers and notice some appear to be barely normal. For example, your horse’s insulin level is 29, and the lab says it shouldn’t be any higher than 30. Does it mean anything? Maybe.

Blood chemistry panels measure proteins and various other substances in the blood. Generally speaking, they are indicators to how well the organs are functioning and such things as specific types of tissue damage (e.g. muscles) and hydration. Chemistries are difficult to interpret, but we’ve summarized the possible significance of some results in our chart…