Common Lab Values

Hematology Values
Electrolyte Values
Hepatic Enzymes
Renal Related
Protein
Lipids
Thyroid
Cardiac

Hematology Values
HEMATOCRIT (HCT)
o Normal Adult Female Range: 37 - 47%
Optimal Adult Female Reading: 42%
Normal Adult Male Range 40 - 54%
Optimal Adult Male Reading: 47
Normal Newborn Range: 50 - 62%
Optimal Newborn Reading: 56

HEMOGLOBIN (HGB)
o Normal Adult Female Range: 12 - 16 g/dl
Optimal Adult Female Reading: 14 g/dl
Normal Adult Male Range: 14 - 18 g/dl
Optimal Adult Male Reading: 16 g/dl
Normal Newborn Range: 14 - 20 g/dl
Optimal Newborn Reading: 17 g/dl

MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin)

o Normal Adult Range: 27 - 33 pg
Optimal Adult Reading: 30

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)

o Normal Adult Range: 80 - 100 fl
Optimal Adult Reading: 90
Higher ranges are found in newborns and infants
MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration)
o Normal Adult Range: 32 - 36 %
Optimal Adult Reading: 34
Higher ranges are found in newborns and infants

R.B.C. (Red Blood Cell Count)

o Normal Adult Female Range: 3.9 - 5.2 mill/mcl
Optimal Adult Female Reading: 4.55
Normal Adult Male Range: 4.2 - 5.6 mill/mcl
Optimal Adult Male Reading: 4.9
Lower ranges are found in Children, newborns and infants

W.B.C. (White Blood Cell Count)

o Normal Adult Range: 3.8 - 10.8 thous/mcl
Optimal Adult Reading: 7.3
Higher ranges are found in children, newborns and infants.

PLATELET COUNT
o Normal Adult Range: 130 - 400 thous/mcl
Optimal Adult Reading: 265
Higher ranges are found in children, newborns and infants

NEUTROPHILS and NEUTROPHIL COUNT - this is the main defender of the

body against infection and antigens. High levels may indicate an active
infection.
o Normal Adult Range: 48 - 73 %
Optimal Adult Reading: 60.5
Normal Children’s Range: 30 - 60 %
Optimal Children’s Reading: 45

LYMPHOCYTES and LYMPHOCYTE COUNT - Elevated levels may indicate an

active viral infections such as measles, rubella, chickenpox, or infectious
mononucleosis.
 o Normal Adult Range: 18 - 48 %
Optimal Adult Reading: 33
Normal Children’s Range: 25 - 50 %
Optimal Children’s Reading: 37.5

MONOCYTES and MONOCYTE COUNT - Elevated levels are seen in tissue

breakdown or chronic infections, carcinomas, leukemia (monocytic) or
lymphomas.
o Normal Adult Range: 0 - 9 %
Optimal Adult Reading: 4.5

EOSINOPHILS and EOSINOPHIL COUNT - Elevated levels may indicate an

allergic reactions or parasites.
o Normal Adult Range: 0 - 5 %
Optimal Adult Reading: 2.5

BASOPHILS and BASOPHIL COUNT - Basophilic activity is not fully understood

but it is known to carry histamine, heparin and serotonin. High levels are
found in allergic reactions.
o Normal Adult Range: 0 - 2 %
Optimal Adult Reading: 1

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Electrolyte Values
SODIUM - Sodium is the most abundant cation in the blood and its chief base. It
functions in the body to maintain osmotic pressure, acid-base balance and to
transmit nerve impulses. Very Low value: seizure and Neurologic Sx.
o Normal Adult Range: 135-146 mEq/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 140.5

POTASSIUM - Potassium is the major intracellular cation. Very low value: Cardiac
arythemia.
 o Normal Range: 3.5 - 5.5 mEq/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 4.5

CHLORIDE - Elevated levels are related to acidosis as well as too much water
crossing the cell membrane. Decreased levels with decreased serum albumin
may indicate water deficiency crossing the cell membrane (edema).
o Normal Adult Range: 95-112 mEq/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 103

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) - The CO2 level is related to the respiratory exchange of
carbon dioxide in the lungs and is part of the bodies buffering system.
Generally when used with the other electrolytes, it is a good indicator of
acidosis and alkalinity.
o Normal Adult Range: 22-32 mEq/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 27
Normal Childrens Range - 20 - 28 mEq/L
Optimal Childrens Reading: 24

CALCIUM - involved in bone metabolism, protein absorption, fat transfer muscular

contraction, transmission of nerve impulses, blood clotting and cardiac
function. Regulated by parathyroid.
o Normal Adult Range: 8.5-10.3 mEq/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: 9.4

PHOSPHORUS - Generally inverse with Calcium.

o Normal Adult Range: 2.5 - 4.5 mEq/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: 3.5
Normal Childrens Range: 3 - 6 mEq/dl
Optimal Childrens Range: 4.5

ANION GAP (Sodium + Potassium - CO2 + Chloride) - An increased measurement

is associated with metabolic acidosis due to the overproduction of acids (a
state of alkalinity is in effect). Decreased levels may indicate metabolic
alkalosis due to the overproduction of alkaloids (a state of acidosis is in
effect).
 o Normal Adult Range: 4 - 14 (calculated)
Optimal Adult Reading: 9

CALCIUM/PHOSPHORUS Ratio
o Normal Adult Range: 2.3 - 3.3 (calculated)
Optimal Adult Reading: 2.8
Normal Children’s range: 1.3 - 3.3 (calculated)
Optimal Children’s Reading: 2.3

SODIUM/POTASSIUM
o Normal Adult Range: 26 - 38 (calculated)
Optimal Adult Reading: 32

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Hepatic Enzymes
AST (Serum Glutamic-Oxalocetic Transaminase - SGOT ) - found primarily in the
liver, heart, kidney, pancreas, and muscles. Seen in tissue damage, especially
heart and live
o Normal Adult Range: 0 - 42 U/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 21

ALT (Serum Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase - SGPT) - Decreased SGPT in

combination with increased cholesterol levels is seen in cases of a congested
liver. We also see increased levels in mononucleosis, alcoholism, liver
damage, kidney infection, chemical pollutants or myocardial infarction
o Normal Adult Range: 0 - 48 U/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 24

ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE - Used extensively as a tumor marker it is also present

in bone injury, pregnancy, or skeletal growth (elevated readings. Low levels
are sometimes found in hypoadrenia, protein deficiency, malnutrition and a
number of vitamin deficiencies
o Normal Adult Range: 20 - 125 U/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 72.5
 Normal Childrens Range: 40 - 400 U/L
Optimal Childrens Reading: 220

GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase) - Elevated levels may be found in liver

disease, alcoholism, bile-duct obstruction, cholangitis, drug abuse, and in
some cases excessive magnesium ingestion. Decreased levels can be found in
hypothyroidism, hypothalamic malfunction and low levels of magnesium.
o Normal Adult Female Range: 0 - 45 U/L
Optimal Female Reading: 22.5
Normal Adult Male Range: 0 - 65 U/L
Optimal Male Reading: 32.5

LDH (Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase) - Increases are usually found in cellular death
and/or leakage from the cell or in some cases it can be useful in confirming
myocardial or pulmonary infarction (only in relation to other tests).
Decreased levels of the enzyme may be seen in cases of malnutrition,
hypoglycemia, adrenal exhaustion or low tissue or organ activity.
o Normal Adult Range: 0 - 250 U/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 125

BILIRUBIN, TOTAL - Elevated in liver disease, mononucleosis, hemolytic anemia,

low levels of exposure to the sun, and toxic effects to some drugs, decreased
levels are seen in people with an inefficient liver, excessive fat digestion, and
possibly a diet low in nitrogen bearing foods
o Normal Adult Range 0 - 1.3 mg/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: .65

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Renal Related
B.U.N. (Blood Urea Nitrogen) - Increases can be caused by excessive protein intake,
kidney damage, certain drugs, low fluid intake, intestinal bleeding, exercise or
heart failure. Decreased levels may be due to a poor diet, malabsorption, liver
damage or low nitrogen intake.
o Normal Adult Range: 7 - 25 mg/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: 16
CREATININE - Low levels are sometimes seen in kidney damage, protein starvation,
liver disease or pregnancy. Elevated levels are sometimes seen in kidney
disease due to the kidneys job of excreting creatinine, muscle degeneration,
and some drugs involved in impairment of kidney function.
o Normal Adult Range: .7 - 1.4 mg/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: 1.05

URIC ACID - High levels are noted in gout, infections, kidney disease, alcoholism,
high protein diets, and with toxemia in pregnancy. Low levels may be
indicative of kidney disease, malabsorption, poor diet, liver damage or an
overly acid kidney.
o Normal Adult Female Range: 2.5 - 7.5 mg/dl
Optimal Adult Female Reading: 5.0
Normal Adult Male Range: 3.5 - 7.5 mg/dl
Optimal Adult Male Reading:5.5

BUN/CREATININE - This calculation is a good measurement of kidney and liver

function.
o Normal Adult Range: 6 -25 (calculated)
Optimal Adult Reading: 15.5

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Protein
PROTEIN, TOTAL - Decreased levels may be due to poor nutrition, liver disease,
malabsorption, diarrhea, or severe burns. Increased levels are seen in lupus,
liver disease, chronic infections, alcoholism, leukemia, tuberculosis amongst
many others.
o Normal Adult Range: 6.0 -8.5 g/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: 7.25

ALBUMIN - major constituent of serum protein (usually over 50%). High levels are
seen in liver disease(rarely) , shock, dehydration, or multiple myeloma. Lower
levels are seen in poor diets, diarrhea, fever, infection, liver disease,
inadequate iron intake, third-degree burns and edemas or hypocalcemia
 o Normal Adult Range: 3.2 - 5.0 g/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: 4.1

GLOBULIN - Globulins have many diverse functions such as, the carrier of some
hormones, lipids, metals, and antibodies(IgA, IgG, IgM, and IgE). Elevated
levels are seen with chronic infections, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis,
myelomas, and lupus are present, . Lower levels in immune compromised
patients, poor dietary habits, malabsorption and liver or kidney disease.
o Normal Adult Range: 2.2 - 4.2 g/dl (calculated)
Optimal Adult Reading: 3.2

A/G RATIO (Albumin/Globulin Ratio)

o Normal Adult Range: 0.8 - 2.0 (calculated)
Optimal Adult Reading: 1.9

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Lipids
CHOLESTEROL - High density lipoproteins (HDL) is desired as opposed to the low
density lipoproteins (LDL), two types of cholesterol. Elevated cholesterol has
been seen in artherosclerosis, diabetes, hypothyroidism and pregnancy. Low
levels are seen in depression, malnutrition, liver insufficiency, malignancies,
anemia and infection.
o Normal Adult Range: 120 - 240 mg/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: 180

LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) - studies correlate the association between high
levels of LDL and arterial artherosclerosis
o Normal Adult Range: 62 - 130 mg/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: 81 mg/dl

HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) - A high level of HDL is an indication of a healthy

metabolic system if there is no sign of liver disease or intoxication.
o Normal Adult Range: 35 - 135 mg/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: +85 mg/dl
TRIGLYCERIDES - Increased levels may be present in artherosclerosis,
hypothyroidism, liver disease, pancreatitis, myocardial infarction, metabolic
disorders, toxemia, and nephrotic syndrome. Decreased levels may be present
in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, brain infarction, hyperthyroidism,
malnutrition, and malabsorption.
o Normal Adult Range: 0 - 200 mg/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: 100

CHOLESTEROL/LDL RATIO
o Normal Adult Range: 1 - 6
Optimal Adult Reading: 3.5

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Thyroid
THYROXINE (T4) - Increased levels are found in hyperthyroidism, acute thyroiditis,
and hepatitis. Low levels can be found in Cretinism, hypothyroidism,
cirrhosis, malnutrition, and chronic thyroiditis.
o Normal Adult Range: 4 - 12 ug/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: 8 ug/dl

T3-UPTAKE - Increased levels are found in hyperthyroidism, severe liver disease,

metastatic malignancy, and pulmonary insufficiency. Decreased levels are
found in hypothyroidism, normal pregnancy, and hyperestrogenis status.
o Normal Adult Range: 27 - 47%
Optimal Adult Reading: 37 %

FREE T4 INDEX (T7)

o Normal Adult Range: 4 - 12
Optimal Adult Reading: 8

THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE (TSH) - produced by the anterior pituitary

gland, causes the release and distribution of stored thyroid hormones. When
 T4 and T3 are too high, TSH secretion decreases, when T4 and T3 are low,
TSH secretion increases.
o Normal Adult Range: .5 - 6 milU/L
o AACE (2003) target level: 0.3 to 3.04

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Cardiac
Creatine phosphokinase (CK) - Levels rise 4 to 8 hours after an acute MI, peaking at
16 to 30 hours and returning to baseline within 4 days
o 25-200 U/L
o 32-150 U/L

CK-MB CK isoenzyme - It begins to increase 6 to 10 hours after an acute MI, peaks

in 24 hours, and remains elevated for up to 72 hours.
o < 12 IU/L if total CK is <400 IU/L
o <3.5% of total CK if total CK is >400 IU/L

(LDH) Lactate dehydrogenase - Total LDH will begin to rise 2 to 5 days after an
MI; the elevation can last 10 days.
o 140-280 U/L

LDH-1 and LDH-2 LDH isoenzymes - Compare LDH 1 and LDH 2 levels. Normally,
the LDH-1 value will be less than the LDH-2. In the acute MI, however, the
LDH 2 remains constant, while LDH 1 rises. When the LDH 1 is higher than
LDH 2, the LDH is said to be flipped, which is highly suggestive of an MI. A
flipped pattern appears 12-24 hours post MI and persists for 48 hours.
o LDH-1 18%-33%
o LDH-2 28%-40%

SGOT - will begin to rise in 8-12 hours and peak in 18-30 hours
o 10-42 U/L
Myoglobin - early and sensitive diagnosis of myocardial infarction in the emergency
department This small heme protein becomes abnormal within 1 to 2 hours of
necrosis, peaks in 4-8 hours, and drops to normal in about 12 hours.
o <1

Troponin Complex - Peaks in 10-24 hours, begins to fall off after 1-2 weeks.
o < 0.4

Table of Cardiac markers

Serum
Markers of
Myocardial
Injury

Detected Peak Falls

Myoglobin 1-3 1-8 12-18

12-
CK/CK-MB 3-8 24-48
16

MB Isoforms 1-6 4-8 12-48

cTnI: 5-9
Troponin 10-
3-6 days cTnT:
Complex 24
7-14 days

Typical Marker Values during AMI