Short answer: the same blood test is printed in different units in different countries: glucose in mg/dL in the US and mmol/L in most of Europe, creatinine in mg/dL or µmol/L, vitamin D in ng/mL or nmol/L. The table below gives, for 68 common results, the usual unit, the other unit with its conversion factor, and the LOINC code, the international code that identifies the test regardless of language or laboratory. Each row links to a plain-language guide. To convert a value, use the free lab unit converter; to follow one test across reports, the lab results tracker.
At a glance
| Covers | 68 results: blood count, glucose, lipids, kidney, liver, electrolytes, iron, vitamins, thyroid, hormones, inflammation, clotting, urine |
|---|---|
| Units | US conventional units and SI units, with the factor between them |
| Codes | LOINC, the code laboratories and FHIR systems use worldwide |
| Ranges | Not listed: they differ by laboratory, method, age and sex; use the range on your report |
| Tools | Free unit converter and lab results tracker, no account |
The reference table
| Test | LOINC | Usual unit | Other unit (conversion) | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haemoglobin | 718-7 | g/dL | g/L (×10), mmol/L | read |
| Haematocrit | 4544-3 | % | L/L (÷100) | read |
| Red blood cells | 789-8 | 10*6/µL | 10^12/L (same number) | read |
| MCV | 787-2 | fL | — | read |
| MCH | 785-6 | pg | — | read |
| MCHC | 786-4 | g/dL | g/L | read |
| RDW | 788-0 | % | — | read |
| White blood cells | 6690-2 | 10*3/µL | 10^9/L (same number) | read |
| Neutrophils (%) | 770-8 | % | — | read |
| Lymphocytes (count) | 731-0 | 10*3/µL | 10^9/L | read |
| Platelets | 777-3 | 10*3/µL | 10^9/L (same number) | read |
| Glucose, fasting | 1558-6 | mg/dL | mmol/L (×0.0555) | read |
| Glucose | 2345-7 | mg/dL | mmol/L | read |
| Glucose, whole blood | 2339-0 | mg/dL | mmol/L | read |
| HbA1c | 4548-4 | % | mmol/mol (IFCC) | read |
| Insulin | 20448-7 | µIU/mL or mU/L | pmol/L (×6.0 or ×6.945) | read |
| Total cholesterol | 2093-3 | mg/dL | mmol/L (×0.02586) | read |
| HDL cholesterol | 2085-9 | mg/dL | mmol/L (×0.02586) | read |
| LDL cholesterol, calculated | 13457-7 | mg/dL | mmol/L | read |
| LDL cholesterol, direct | 18262-6 | mg/dL | mmol/L | read |
| LDL cholesterol, method not stated | 2089-1 | mg/dL | mmol/L | read |
| Triglycerides | 2571-8 | mg/dL | mmol/L (×0.01129) | read |
| Apolipoprotein B | 1884-6 | mg/dL | g/L (×0.01) | read |
| Lipoprotein(a), mass | 10835-7 | mg/dL | — | read |
| Lipoprotein(a), moles | 43583-4 | nmol/L | — | read |
| Creatinine | 2160-0 | mg/dL | µmol/L (×88.4) | read |
| eGFR, CKD-EPI 2021 | 98979-8 | mL/min/1.73 m² | — | read |
| eGFR, CKD-EPI (earlier) | 62238-1 | mL/min/1.73 m² | — | read |
| Urea nitrogen (BUN) | 3094-0 | mg/dL | mmol/L urea (×0.357) | read |
| Sodium | 2951-2 | mmol/L | mEq/L (same number) | read |
| Potassium | 2823-3 | mmol/L | mEq/L (same number) | read |
| Chloride | 2075-0 | mmol/L | mEq/L | read |
| Carbon dioxide, total (bicarbonate) | 2028-9 | mmol/L | mEq/L | read |
| Calcium | 17861-6 | mg/dL | mmol/L (×0.2495) | read |
| Albumin (CMP) | 1751-7 | g/dL | g/L | read |
| Magnesium | 19123-9 | mg/dL | mmol/L (×0.4114), mEq/L | read |
| Urate (uric acid) | 3084-1 | mg/dL | µmol/L (×59.48) | read |
| ALT | 1742-6 | U/L | µkat/L (÷60) | read |
| AST | 1920-8 | U/L | µkat/L | read |
| GGT | 2324-2 | U/L | µkat/L | read |
| Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) | 6768-6 | U/L | µkat/L | read |
| Bilirubin, total | 1975-2 | mg/dL | µmol/L (×17.1) | read |
| Ferritin | 2276-4 | ng/mL | µg/L (same number) | read |
| Serum iron | 2498-4 | µg/dL | µmol/L (×0.179) | read |
| Transferrin saturation | 2502-3 | % | — | read |
| Vitamin B12 | 2132-9 | pg/mL | pmol/L (×0.738) | read |
| Folate (serum) | 2284-8 | ng/mL | nmol/L (×2.266) | read |
| 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 | 1989-3 | ng/mL | nmol/L (×2.496) | read |
| TSH | 3016-3 | mIU/L | µIU/mL (same number) | read |
| Free T4 | 3024-7 | ng/dL | pmol/L (×12.87) | read |
| Free T3 | 3051-0 | pg/mL | pmol/L (×1.536) | read |
| Testosterone, total | 2986-8 | ng/dL | nmol/L (×0.0347) | read |
| Testosterone, free | 2991-8 | pg/mL | pmol/L (×3.47) | read |
| SHBG | 13967-5 | nmol/L | — | read |
| Cortisol | 2143-6 | µg/dL | nmol/L (×27.59) | read |
| C-reactive protein (CRP) | 1988-5 | mg/L | mg/dL (÷10) | read |
| ESR | 30341-2 | mm/h | — | read |
| ESR, Westergren method | 4537-7 | mm/h | — | read |
| INR | 6301-6 | ratio (no unit) | — | read |
| Prothrombin time (PT) | 5902-2 | seconds | % of normal (some countries) | read |
| Prostate specific Ag (PSA) | 2857-1 | ng/mL | µg/L (same number) | read |
| Albumin/Creatinine, urine | 9318-7 | mg/g | mg/mmol (÷8.84) | read |
| Microalbumin/Creatinine, urine | 14959-1 | mg/g | mg/mmol | read |
| Specific gravity (test strip) | 5811-5 | — | e.g. 1.005–1.030 | read |
| pH (test strip) | 5803-2 | pH | — | read |
| Protein (test strip) | 5804-0 | mg/dL | negative / trace / 1+–3+ | read |
| Blood/haemoglobin (test strip) | 5794-3 | presence | negative / trace / 1+–3+ | read |
| Leukocyte esterase (test strip) | 5799-2 | presence | negative / trace / 1+–3+ | read |
Conversion factors are the standard molar-mass factors used by laboratories. "Same number" means the two units are numerically identical (for example 10*3/µL and 10^9/L).
How to use the table
- Find the test as it is written on your report; many reports print the LOINC code or an abbreviation next to the name.
- Check the unit printed next to your value. If two reports use different units, convert one of them before comparing.
- Compare each value only with the reference range printed on the same report. Ranges are deliberately not listed here, because they depend on the laboratory's method and on your age and sex.
- For the meaning of a test, open its guide. For the meaning of your result, ask your doctor.
Why LOINC codes matter
A test called "Glykämie" in Germany, "glicemie" in Romania and "fasting glucose" in the US is the same measurement. The LOINC code (here 1558-6) says so unambiguously. Health records that keep the code, as HL7 FHIR systems and Anpheros do, can line up results from different laboratories and countries on one chart. Our guide what a LOINC code is explains the system.
For developers
The codes in the table are those used by Anpheros Platform when it stores lab results as FHIR Observation resources, with UCUM units (UCUM units explained). If you map local laboratory codes, see how to map local lab codes to LOINC.
What this page does not do
It gives units, conversions and codes. It does not interpret results or give reference ranges for diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert mg/dL to mmol/L?
It depends on the substance, because the factor comes from its molar mass. Glucose: divide by 18.016. Cholesterol: multiply by 0.02586. Triglycerides: multiply by 0.01129. The table lists the factor for each test, and the lab unit converter does the calculation.
Why are reference ranges not in the table?
Because they vary between laboratories, methods, ages and sexes. The only range that applies to your result is the one printed on your report.
What is a LOINC code?
A universal code for a laboratory test or measurement, maintained by the Regenstrief Institute. It identifies the test independently of language, brand or laboratory.
Can Anpheros read my lab report and keep the codes?
Yes. Anpheros Daily reads the PDF or photo of a report, you check the values, and each result is stored with its unit, range and LOINC code, so results from different laboratories line up over time.
Try it in Anpheros Daily
Photograph your lab report and Anpheros Daily lines up each value with its reference range, so you can compare reports from different laboratories.
How it works in the app →
Anpheros builds a medical record that the patient controls and can share with any clinic, on an HL7 FHIR R4 platform, based in the EU. These guides help you understand and organise your health; they do not replace your doctor.
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