Definition library

In our words: Diabetes range: HbA1c 6.5% or higher, fasting glucose 126 mg/dL or higher, or 2-hour glucose 200 mg/dL or higher on a glucose tolerance test; two such results are needed (two different tests, or one test repeated). A random glucose of 200 mg/dL or higher counts on its own only with typical symptoms.

Usually, your doctor will use a second test to confirm you have diabetes.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) (2022) · Section 'What test results tell me if I have diabetes or prediabetes?', table of test results · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Low glucose: below 70 mg/dL is level 1; below 54 mg/dL is level 2 (ADA's number, restated); level 3 is a severe event in which the person needs help, whatever the glucose.

a blood glucose reading lower than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) (2021) · Section 'What is low blood glucose?' · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Intermediate range: HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4%, fasting glucose 100 to 125 mg/dL, or 2-hour glucose 140 to 199 mg/dL.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) (2022) · Section 'What test results tell me if I have diabetes or prediabetes?', table of test results · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: HDL cholesterol below 40 mg/dL is low; 60 mg/dL or higher is high (adults 20 and over).

HDL Cholesterol <40 Low; ≥60 High

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Cholesterol Education Program (NIH Publication No. 01-3670) (2001) · Table 2 (PDF page 13) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: LDL cholesterol (mg/dL, adults 20 and over): below 100 optimal; 100 to 129 near or above optimal; 130 to 159 borderline high; 160 to 189 high; 190 or higher very high.

LDL Cholesterol <100 Optimal; 100-129 Near optimal/above optimal; 130-159 Borderline high; 160-189 High; ≥190 Very high

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Cholesterol Education Program (NIH Publication No. 01-3670) (2001) · Table 2 (PDF page 13) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Total cholesterol (mg/dL): below 200 desirable; 200 to 239 borderline high; 240 or higher high.

Total Cholesterol <200 Desirable; 200-239 Borderline high; ≥240 High

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Cholesterol Education Program (NIH Publication No. 01-3670) (2001) · Table 2 (PDF page 13) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Triglycerides (mg/dL): below 150 normal; 150 to 199 borderline high; 200 to 499 high; 500 or higher very high.

Normal triglycerides: <150 mg/dL; Borderline-high triglycerides: 150-199 mg/dL; High triglycerides: 200-499 mg/dL; Very high triglycerides: ≥500 mg/dL

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Cholesterol Education Program (NIH Publication No. 01-3670) (2001) · Classification of serum triglycerides (PDF page 28) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Adult body-mass index: under 18.5 underweight; 18.5 to under 25 healthy; 25 to under 30 overweight; 30 to under 35 obesity class 1; 35 to under 40 class 2; 40 or higher class 3.

Underweight: Less than 18.5; Healthy Weight: 18.5 to less than 25; Overweight: 25 to less than 30; Obesity: 30 or greater; Class 1 Obesity: 30 to less than 35; Class 2 Obesity: 35 to less than 40; Class 3 Obesity (Severe Obesity): 40 or greater

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) · Adult BMI categories table · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 3 (pH <7.3); Grade 1 (pH below normal but ≥7.3); At or above the laboratory lower limit

Grade 1: pH <normal, but >=7.3. Grade 2: -. Grade 3: pH <7.3. Grade 4: Life-threatening consequences

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 174, term 'Acidosis' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 3 (pH >7.5); Grade 1 (pH above normal but ≤7.5); At or below the laboratory upper limit

Grade 1: pH >normal, but <=7.5. Grade 2: -. Grade 3: pH >7.5. Grade 4: Life-threatening consequences

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 174, term 'Alkalosis' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or above the laboratory LLN

Grade 1: Hemoglobin (Hgb) <LLN - 10.0 g/dL; <LLN - 6.2 mmol/L; <LLN - 100 g/L. Grade 2: Hgb <10.0 - 8.0 g/dL; <6.2 - 4.9 mmol/L; <100 - 80 g/L. Grade 3: Hgb <8.0 g/dL; <4.9 mmol/L; <80 g/L; transfusion indicated

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 4, term 'Anemia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4; Grade 3; Grade 2; Grade 1; At or below the laboratory ULN

>ULN - 1.5 x ULN if baseline was normal or less than normal (grade 1); >1.5 - 3.0 x ULN (grade 2); >3.0 - 10.0 x ULN (grade 3); >10.0 x ULN if baseline was normal or less than normal (grade 4)

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 164, term 'Blood bilirubin increased' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or below the laboratory ULN

Corrected serum calcium of >ULN - 11.5 mg/dL; >ULN - 2.9 mmol/L; Ionized calcium >ULN - 1.5 mmol/L (grade 1) ... >11.5 - 12.5 mg/dL; >2.9 - 3.1 mmol/L; Ionized calcium >1.5 - 1.6 mmol/L (grade 2) ... >12.5 - 13.5 mg/dL; >3.1 - 3.4 mmol/L; Ionized calcium >1.6 - 1.8 mmol/L (grade 3) ... >13.5 mg/dL; >3.4 mmol/L; Ionized calcium >1.8 mmol/L (grade 4)

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 176, term 'Hypercalcemia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or below the laboratory ULN

Corrected serum calcium of >ULN - 11.5 mg/dL; >ULN - 2.9 mmol/L; Ionized calcium >ULN - 1.5 mmol/L (grade 1) ... >11.5 - 12.5 mg/dL; >2.9 - 3.1 mmol/L; Ionized calcium >1.5 - 1.6 mmol/L (grade 2) ... >12.5 - 13.5 mg/dL; >3.1 - 3.4 mmol/L; Ionized calcium >1.6 - 1.8 mmol/L (grade 3) ... >13.5 mg/dL; >3.4 mmol/L; Ionized calcium >1.8 mmol/L (grade 4)

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 176, term 'Hypercalcemia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or below the laboratory ULN

Grade 1: >ULN - 5.5 mmol/L. Grade 2: >5.5 - 6.0 mmol/L; intervention initiated. Grade 3: >6.0 - 7.0 mmol/L; hospitalization indicated. Grade 4: >7.0 mmol/L; life-threatening consequences

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 177, term 'Hyperkalemia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or below the laboratory ULN

Grade 1: >ULN - 3.0 mg/dL; >ULN - 1.23 mmol/L. Grade 2: -. Grade 3: >3.0 - 8.0 mg/dL; >1.23 - 3.30 mmol/L. Grade 4: >8.0 mg/dL; >3.30 mmol/L; life-threatening consequences

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 177, term 'Hypermagnesemia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or below the laboratory ULN

Grade 1: >ULN - 150 mmol/L. Grade 2: >150 - 155 mmol/L; intervention initiated. Grade 3: >155 - 160 mmol/L; hospitalization indicated. Grade 4: >160 mmol/L; life-threatening consequences

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 177, term 'Hypernatremia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4; Grade 3; Grade 2; Grade 1; Below 150 mg/dL (no grade)

Grade 1: 150 mg/dL - 300 mg/dL; 1.71 mmol/L - 3.42 mmol/L. Grade 2: >300 mg/dL - 500 mg/dL; >3.42 mmol/L - 5.7 mmol/L. Grade 3: >500 mg/dL - 1000 mg/dL; >5.7 mmol/L - 11.4 mmol/L. Grade 4: >1000 mg/dL; >11.4 mmol/L; life-threatening consequences

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 178, term 'Hypertriglyceridemia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or above the laboratory LLN

Grade 1: <LLN - 3 g/dL; <LLN - 30 g/L. Grade 2: <3 - 2 g/dL; <30 - 20 g/L. Grade 3: <2 g/dL; <20 g/L. Grade 4: Life-threatening consequences; urgent intervention indicated

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 179, term 'Hypoalbuminemia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or above the laboratory LLN

Corrected serum calcium of <LLN - 8.0 mg/dL; <LLN - 2.0 mmol/L; Ionized calcium <LLN - 1.0 mmol/L (grade 1) ... <8.0 - 7.0 mg/dL; <2.0 - 1.75 mmol/L; Ionized calcium <1.0 - 0.9 mmol/L (grade 2) ... <7.0 - 6.0 mg/dL; <1.75 - 1.5 mmol/L; Ionized calcium <0.9 - 0.8 mmol/L (grade 3) ... <6.0 mg/dL; <1.5 mmol/L; Ionized calcium <0.8 mmol/L (grade 4)

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 179, term 'Hypocalcemia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or above the laboratory LLN

Corrected serum calcium of <LLN - 8.0 mg/dL; <LLN - 2.0 mmol/L; Ionized calcium <LLN - 1.0 mmol/L (grade 1) ... <8.0 - 7.0 mg/dL; <2.0 - 1.75 mmol/L; Ionized calcium <1.0 - 0.9 mmol/L (grade 2) ... <7.0 - 6.0 mg/dL; <1.75 - 1.5 mmol/L; Ionized calcium <0.9 - 0.8 mmol/L (grade 3) ... <6.0 mg/dL; <1.5 mmol/L; Ionized calcium <0.8 mmol/L (grade 4)

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 179, term 'Hypocalcemia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or above the laboratory LLN

Grade 1: <LLN - 55 mg/dL; <LLN - 3.0 mmol/L. Grade 2: <55 - 40 mg/dL; <3.0 - 2.2 mmol/L. Grade 3: <40 - 30 mg/dL; <2.2 - 1.7 mmol/L. Grade 4: <30 mg/dL; <1.7 mmol/L; life-threatening consequences; seizures

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 179, term 'Hypoglycemia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (<LLN to 3.0 mmol/L, symptomatic or intervention indicated); Grade 1 (<LLN to 3.0 mmol/L, asymptomatic, no intervention indicated); At or above the laboratory LLN

Grade 1: <LLN - 3.0 mmol/L. Grade 2: Symptomatic with <LLN - 3.0 mmol/L; intervention indicated. Grade 3: <3.0 - 2.5 mmol/L; hospitalization indicated. Grade 4: <2.5 mmol/L; life-threatening consequences

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 180, term 'Hypokalemia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or above the laboratory LLN

Grade 1: <LLN - 1.2 mg/dL; <LLN - 0.5 mmol/L. Grade 2: <1.2 - 0.9 mg/dL; <0.5 - 0.4 mmol/L. Grade 3: <0.9 - 0.7 mg/dL; <0.4 - 0.3 mmol/L. Grade 4: <0.7 mg/dL; <0.3 mmol/L; life-threatening consequences

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 180, term 'Hypomagnesemia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (120 to <125 mmol/L regardless of symptoms, or 125 to <130 mmol/L and symptomatic); Grade 2 (125 to <130 mmol/L and asymptomatic); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or above the laboratory LLN

Grade 1: <LLN - 130 mmol/L. Grade 2: 125 - <130 mmol/L and asymptomatic. Grade 3: 125 - <130 mmol/L symptomatic; 120 - <125 mmol/L regardless of symptoms. Grade 4: <120 mmol/L; life-threatening consequences

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 180, term 'Hyponatremia' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 3; Grade 2; Grade 1; 1.2 or below (no grade)

Grade 1: >1.2 - 1.5; >1 - 1.5 x baseline if on anticoagulation; monitoring only indicated. Grade 2: >1.5 - 2.5; >1.5 - 2.5 x baseline if on anticoagulation. Grade 3: >2.5; >2.5 x baseline if on anticoagulation; bleeding

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 169, term 'INR increased' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or above the laboratory LLN

Grade 1: <LLN - 3000/mm3; <LLN - 3.0 x 10^9/L. Grade 2: <3000 - 2000/mm3; <3.0 - 2.0 x 10^9/L. Grade 3: <2000 - 1000/mm3; <2.0 - 1.0 x 10^9/L. Grade 4: <1000/mm3; <1.0 x 10^9/L

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 173, term 'White blood cell decreased' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4; Grade 3; Grade 2; Grade 1; 1500/mm3 or above (no CTCAE v6.0 grade)

Grade 1: <1500 - 1000/mm3; <1.5 - 1.0 x 10^9/L. Grade 2: <1000 - 500/mm3; <1.0 - 0.5 x 10^9/L. Grade 3: <500 - 100/mm3; <0.5 - 0.1 x 10^9/L. Grade 4: <100/mm3; <0.1 x 10^9/L

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 170, term 'Neutrophil count decreased' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Cancer-treatment adverse-event grade, not a diagnosis. Grade 4 (by laboratory value); Grade 3 (by laboratory value); Grade 2 (by laboratory value); Grade 1 (by laboratory value); At or above the laboratory LLN

Grade 1: <LLN - 75,000/mm3; <LLN - 75.0 x 10^9/L. Grade 2: <75,000 - 50,000/mm3; <75.0 - 50.0 x 10^9/L. Grade 3: <50,000 - 10,000/mm3; <50.0 - 10.0 x 10^9/L; transfusion indicated. Grade 4: <10,000/mm3; <10.0 x 10^9/L; life-threatening consequences; urgent intervention indicated

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2025) · PDF page 8, term 'Platelet count decreased' (published July 22, 2025) · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Adult blood pressure (mm Hg): normal below 120/80; elevated 120 to 129 systolic with diastolic below 80; stage 1 130 to 139 or 80 to 89; stage 2 140 or higher or 90 or higher; crisis range above 180 or above 120. Diagnosis needs readings at two or more separate visits.

Normal: Less than 120 systolic AND Less than 80 diastolic; Elevated: 120 to 129 AND Less than 80; Stage 1: 130 to 139 OR 80 to 89; Stage 2: 140 or higher OR 90 or higher; Hypertensive Crisis: Higher than 180 OR Higher than 120

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) (2025) · Blood pressure categories table · source

U.S. government work (public domain). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.

In our words: Reduced ejection fraction: 40% or lower. Mildly reduced: 41% to 49%. Preserved: 50% or higher. Improved: an earlier ejection fraction of 40% or lower, a later one above 40%, and a rise of at least 10 points. Applies only once heart failure is diagnosed (2021 edition).

HFrEF, LVEF ≤ 40%; HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF), LVEF of 41%–to 49%; ... HFpEF, LVEF ≥ 50%; and HF with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF): baseline LVEF ≤ 40% with ≥10‐pt increase from baseline and second LVEF > 40%.

Chandramouli C, Stewart S, Almahmeed W, Lam CSP (Clin Cardiol 2022;45(Suppl 1):S2-S12, doi:10.1002/clc.23842) (2022) · Section 1.3 'New universal definition' (LVEF classification; Figure 2) · source

open licence: CC BY 4.0, attribution: Chandramouli C, Stewart S, Almahmeed W, Lam CSP. Clinical implications of the universal definition for the prevention and treatment of heart failure. Clin Cardiol 2022;45(Suppl 1):S2-S12, doi:10.1002/clc.23842. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). No endorsement by the cited bodies is implied.