Laboratory Values Report

Nutrition-related
Lab

Normal
Range

Hematocrit (Hct)

M: 42-52%
F: 37-47%

Hemoglobin
(Hgb)

M: 14-18
g/dl
F: 12-16 g/dl

Mean Corpuscular
Hemoglobin
(MCH)
Mean Corpuscular
Hemoglobin
Concentration
(MCHC)
Mean Corpuscular
Volume (MCV)

Function

Factors that Decrease Lab

Value
Hematology
Anemia, burns, cirrhosis, CHF, CF,
dietary deficiency, fatty liver, fluid
overload, hemorrhage,
hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism,
SBO, malnutrition, over hydration,
pancreatitis, PNA, pregnancy, renal
disease, rheumatoid arthritis
Anemia (microcytic, iron,
normocytic), congenital heart
disease

Blood transfusion, burns,

dehydration, COPD, congenital
heart disease, DM, eclampsia, high
altitudes, pancreatitis, shock,
surgery

Measures average
concentration of Hgb in
RBCs

Aluminum intoxication, anemia,

colorectal CA

Obesity

Measure of individual
RBC size

Anemia (microcytic), colorectal

CA, diverticulitis, endocarditis,
gangrene, lead poisoning, malaria,
nephropathy, radiation,

Fight infections; defend

body against invasion by
foreign organisms;
produce, transport and
distribute antibodies

AIDS, alcoholism, anemia,

anorexia nervosa, arsenic
poisoning, autoimmune disease,
cachexia, drug toxicity, radiation
therapy, sepsis, shock, stomatitis,
infection, lupus, TB

Carry/transport oxygen

Anemia, cirrhosis, hemorrhage,

renal disease, bone marrow failure,

Alcoholism, anemia (macrocytic),

smokers, cirrhosis, DKA, DM,
folate deficiency, gastrectomy,
hepatic disease, hyperthyroidism,
ileal resection, obesity, pancreatitis,
PAD, celiac, Vit B12 deficiency
Abscess, infection, anemia,
anorexia, anthrax, appendicitis,
bronchitis, burns, cholecystitis,
choledocholithiasis, cirrhosis, colon
CA, Crohns, dehydration,
inflammation, physical activity,
pregnancy, sepsis, stress, surgery,
trauma
Congenital heart disease, COPD,
dehydration

% Packed RBCs in
volume of whole blood
Oxygen and carbon
dioxide transport,
acid/base balance

Measure of average
27-31 pg/cell weight of Hgb in RBC

32-36 g/dl

80-95
micrograms

White Blood Cell

Count (WBC)

5-10 x 109
mm3

Red Blood Cell

Count (RBC)

M: 4.7-6.1
F: 4.2-5.4

Factors that Increase Lab

Value

Anemia (macrocytic, pernicious),

cold conditions, cigarette smokers,
infants

pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis,

lupus

Calcium Serum
(Ca)

Potassium (K)

8.5-10.5
mg/dl

Electrolytes
Low albumin, hypoparathyroidism,
Bone formation, nerve
transmission, contraction renal failure, hyperphosphatemia,
rickets, Vit D deficiency,
of cardiac and skeletal
osteomalacia, malabsorption,
muscle, conversion of
prothrombin to thrombin pancreatitis, malnutrition
in blood clotting
Electrical conduction in Alcoholism, alkalosis, anorexia,
ascites, burns, colon CA, CP,
muscle cells; acid/base
cirrhosis, CHF, Crohns, CF,
balance; fluid balance

3.5-5.0
mEq/L

Conduct nerve impulses;

maintain osmotic
pressure; acid/base
balance
Sodium (Na)

136-145
mEq/L

dehydration, DM, diarrhea,

diuretics, dumping syndrome,
fever, fistulas, folic acid deficiency,
HTN, hypomagnesmia, laxative
abuse, malabsorption, metabolic
alkalosis, nephritis, ostomies,
pancreatitis, paralytic ileus,
pyelonephritis, pyloric obstruction,
surgery, starvation, stress, trauma,
vomiting
Adrenal insufficiency, ascites,
SBO, burns, CHF, CP, CRF,
cirrhosis, low dietary intake, DM,
diarrhea, emphysema,
glomerulonephritis, hyperglycemia,
hypophosphatemia, hypotension,
hypothyroidism, malabsorption,
malnutrition, metabolic acidosis,
nephrotic syndrome, ostomies, over
hydration, paracentesis, ileus,
edema, PE, polydipsia,
pyelonephritis, renal HTN,
vomiting

Hyperparathyroidism, CA of PTH
producing tumors, Paget disease,
immobilization, excessive Vit D,
Addisons

Acidosis, anemia, anxiety, asthma,

burns, dehydration, HD, excessive
K intake, dysrhythmia, hemolysis,
muscle necrosis, SBO, ostomies,
diuretics (K-sparring), PNA, renal
failure, renal HTN, sepsis, shock,
SIADHS, uremia

Dehydration, diabetes insipidus,

diaphoresis, excessive intake,
excessive sweating, HTN,
hypovolemia, insensible water loss,
vomiting

Magnesium (Mg)

Phosphorus (P)

Albumin (Alb)

Prealbumin (PAB)

1.3-2.1
mEq/L

2.5-4.5
mg/dl

3.5-5.0 g/dl

15-36 mg/dl

Muscle/nerve function;
bone strength; regulate
BP/BG control; support
immune system
Build strong bones and
teeth, nerve signaling,
muscle contraction, CA
and Vit D regulation

Alcoholism, diarrhea, HD,

cirrhosis, hyperaldosteronism,
hypoparathyroidism, pancreatitis,
hyperinsulinemia, preeclampsia,
UC
Hypercalcemia,
hyperparathyroidism, diuretics,
malnutrition, alcoholism, severe
burns, DKA, hypothyroidism,
hypokalemia, chronic antacid use,
rickets, osteomalacia

Chemistry
Maintain colloid osmotic Malnutrition, pregnancy,
inflammation, infections, cirrhosis,
pressure; transport
liver disease, ETOH abuse,
molecule for enzymes,
nephrotic syndrome, renal disease,
fatty acids, hormones,
burns, third-space losses, proteinbilirubin, and some
losing enteropathies, over
drugs
hydration
Transport protein that
carries thyroxine and
retinol in the body

Alkaline
Phosphatase (Alk
Phos)

30-120
units/L

Enzyme found in bone,

liver, biliary tract,
intestine, and placenta;
rises during periods of
bone
formation/reparation or
hepatic disease

Alanine
Aminotransferase

M: 10-40
u/L

Liver function test;

measures liver enzymes

Peritoneal dialysis, burns, cirrhosis,

chronic illness, CF, DM,
malignancy, contraceptive use,
infection, inflammation, liver
damage, over hydration,
malnutrition, protein-wasting
diseases of intestines/kidneys
ETOH abuse, biliary obstruction,
cirrhosis, DM, dysplasia, healing
fracture, hyperparathyroidism,
hyperthyroidism,
hypophosphatemia, intestinal
ischemia, kidney rejection, liver
abscess/tumor, cancer, MI, rickets,
UC
Low levels typical in blood

CKD, dehydration, DKA, Addison,

oliguria

CKD, liver disease,

hypoparathyroidism, DKA,
phosphate supplementation

Dehydration

Anabolic steroid use, CKD,

dehydration, nephrotic syndrome,
pregnancy

Blood transfusions, celiac,

excessive Vit D, excessive Vit B,
hypophosphhatasia,
hypothyroidism, malnutrition,
pernicious anemia, nephritis,
scurvy, zinc deficiency
Hepatitis, cirrhosis, lead poisoning,
necrosis, drug toxicity, mono,

(ALT)

F: 7-35 u/L

Aspartate
Aminotransferase
(AST)

M: 14-20
u/L
F: 10-36 u/L

Total Bilirubin
(T.Bili)

0.3-1.1
mg/dL

Blood Urea
Nitrogen (BUN)

Creatinine
serum
(Cr)

10-20 mg/dl

0.5-1.1
mg/dl

Cholesterol (Chol)

<200 mg/dl

Low-Density
Lipoprotein (LDL)

60-180
mg/dl
Ideal <100

growth spurts
Hepatitis, cirrhosis, MI, heart
failure, drug toxicity, high doses of
Vit A, kidney/lung damage, mono,
cancer
Cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver disease,
jaundice, biliary stricture, cancer of
gallbladder or pancreas, gallstones

to detect liver function

vs. damage

Yellow pigment in
RBCs and stool;
produced from
breakdown of RBCs
End product of protein
metabolism converted in
the liver to form urea

Nitrogenous byproduct
in the breakdown of
muscle creatine
phosphate for energy
metabolism and skeletal
muscle contraction
Formation of bile acids,
steroids, hormones, and
cellular membranes;
component of brain and
nerve cells and cell
membranes
Carries cholesterol and
triglycerides to
peripheral tissues

Liver failure, acromegaly,

malnutrition, over hydration, - N
balance, syndrome of inappropriate
ADH, pregnancy, nephrotic
syndrome
Debilitation, decreased muscle
mass, muscular dystrophy, liver
disease

Prerenal (hypovolemia, shock,

burns, dehydration, CHF, MI, GI
bleed, excessive protein intake,
catabolism, starvation, sepsis);
Renal (renal disease/failure,
nephrotoxic drugs); postrenal
(urethral/bladder obstruction)
Impaired renal function, muscle
disease, rhabdomyolysis

Malabsorption, malnutrition,
cancer, hyperparathyroidism,
chronic anemia, severe burns,
sepsis, stress, liver disease

Familial hypercholesterolemia,
hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism,
poorly controlled DM, nephrotic
syndrome, cholestatis, pregnancy,
obesity, excessive intake

Arteriosclerosis, COPD,
hyperthyroidism,
hypoalbuminemia, inflammatory
joint disease, malabsorption,
malnutrition, burns, stress

MI, alcohol, anorexia nervosa,

apoprotein CII deficiency, chronic
anemia, hepatitis, cirrhosis,
atherosclerosis, DM, eclampsia,
excessive fat intake,
hypercholesterolemia,
hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism,

High-Density
Lipoprotein
(HDL)

Triglycerides (TG)

Glycosylated
Hemoglobin (Hgb
A1c)
Glucose (Glu)

Carries cholesterol from

tissues and transports it
to the liver for
catabolism and excretion
> 45 mg/dl

M: 40-160
mg/dl
F: 35-135
mg/dl

Fat w/in the bloodstream

stored as energy source
in fatty tissues; high
TGs may make LDL
unreliable

Amount of glucose
4-5.9%
bonded to Hgb w/in
(nondiabetic) RBCs during their
lifetime (3 months)
65-99 mg/dl Preferred fuel source
>125 mg/dl
= DM

Alcohol intake, arteriosclerosis,

infection, cholestasis, CHD,
excessive CHO intake,
hypercholesterolemia,
hypertriglyceridemia, insufficient
exercise, hepatitis, cirrhosis,
malnutrition, metabolic syndrome,
nephrotic syndrome, obesity,
PCOS, renal disease, smoking,
uncontrolled DM, MI
Cirrhosis, COPD, hyperthyroidism,
malabsorption, malnutrition

Blood loss, CKD, hemolytic or

pernicious anemia, Vit E
supplementation, pregnancy
Alcoholism, carcinoma, cirrhosis,
DM, dumping syndrome, exercise,
fever, fructose intolerance,
galactocemia, glycagon deficiency,
glycogen storage disease, hepatitis,
hyperinsulinemia, hypothermia,
hypothyroidism, insulin overdose,

nephrotic syndrome, obesity,

pregnancy
Alcoholism, chronic hepatitis,
hypothyroidism, increased exercise,
primary biliary cirrhosis

Alcoholism, aortic aneurysm,

arteriosclerosis, DM,
hypertriglyceridemia, fat embolism,
glycogen storage disease, gout,
hepatic cholesterol storage disease,
high CHO/prolonged high fat
intake, hypercholesterolemia,
hypothyroidism, metabolic
syndrome, MI, nephrotic syndrome,
obesity, oral contraceptive use,
pancreatitis, pregnancy, renal
insufficiency, starvation, stress,
tobacco use
Corticosteroid treatment, fetalmaternal transmission, HD, poor
BG control, new onset DM, nondiabetic hyperglycemia, pregnancy
Burns/trauma, CVA, corticosteroid
meds, CF, CRF, DM, diuretic
drugs, eclampsia, encephalitis,
gestational DM, hemorrhage,
hypertension, hyperthyroidism, Vit
A excess, infection, malnutrition,
MI, obesity, pancreatic carcinoma,

M: 12-300
ng/ml
F: 10-150
ng/ml

Iron storage; correlates

w/ total body stores
(except during acute
illness)

Iron Serum (Fe)

M: 80-180
mcg/dl
F: 60-160
mcg/dl

Aids in transport of
oxygen by hemoglobin
and indirectly in return
of carbon dioxide to
lungs

Transferrin

M: 215-365
mg/dl
F: 250-380
mg/dl

Ferritin Serum

Largest quantity of iron

binding proteins for
transporting iron

kwashiorkor, malnutrition, islet cell

tumor, gastrectomy, hypoglycemia
PUD, iron-deficiency anemia,
colon cancer, HD, IBD, pregnancy,
protein deficiency, surgery
Blood loss, burns, carcinoma,
gastrectomy, heavy menstruation,
infection, iron deficiency,
kwashiorkor, malabsorption of iron,
nephrosis, pregnancy, rheumatoid
arthritis, schizophrenia, uremia,
IBS
Anemia (hemolytic, pernicious,
microcytic), cirrhosis,
corticosteroid therapy, hemorrhage,
hepatitis, hypoproteinemia,
hypothyroidism, kwashiorkor, MI,
cancer, nephrosis, uremia

pancreatitis, pregnancy, stress

Inflammation, alcoholism, anemia,
cancer, cirrhosis, hepatitis,
hyperthyroidism, iron overload,
ESRD, respiratory infection,
rheumatoid arthritis
Alcohol, anemias, blood
transfusion, folic acid deficiency,
hepatitis, high iron intake/toxicity,
lead poisoning, nephritis

Hepatitis, microcytic anemia (Fe

deficiency), oral contraceptives,
pregnancy