BLOOD TEST CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

SOURCE: Agusta Medical Center (AMC) http://www.augustahealth.com/laboratory/lab-test

The listings below discuss a few of the more common things measured in chemistry and
hematology tests and their clinical significance.
TESTS
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
NORMAL RANGE
PROFILES:
Lytes
Centrifuge specimen
and refrigerate if
pickup time is more
than 2 hrs.

Basic Metabolic
Panel (BMP)
Centrifuge specimen
and refrigerate if
pickup time is more
than 2 hrs.

Why get tested?

To detect a problem with the bodys
electrolyte balance
When to get tested?
As part of routine health screening, or
when your doctor suspects that you
have an excess or deficit of one of the
electrolytes (usually sodium or
potassium), or if your doctor
suspects an acid-base imbalance
The Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) is a
group of 8 tests (or sometimes 7
tests) that is ordered as a screening
tool to check for conditions, such as
diabetes and kidney disease. The
BMP uses a tube of blood collected by
inserting a needle into a vein in your
arm. Fasting for 10 to 12 hours prior
to the blood draw may be preferred.
The BMP is often ordered in the
hospital emergency room setting
because its components give your
doctor important information about
the current status of your kidneys,
electrolyte and acid/base balance,
and blood sugar level. Significant
changes in these test results can
indicate acute problems, such as
kidney failure, insulin shock or
diabetic coma, respiratory distress, or
heart rhythm changes. The BMP is
also used to monitor some known
conditions, such as hypertension and
hypokalemia (low potassium level).
If your doctor is interested in following
two or more individual BMP
components, he may order the entire
BMP because it offers more
information.
Alternatively, he may order an
electrolyte panel to monitor your

NA : 132-142 mmol/L
K : 3.6-5.0 mmol/L
CL : 101-111 mmol/L
CO2: 21-31 mmol/L
Anion Gap: 6-16

GLUC: 60-110 mg/d

BUN : 8-24 mg/dL
CRET: 0.9-1.6 mg/dL
CA : 8.4-10.7 mg/dL
NA : 132-142 mmol/L
K
: 3.6-5.0 mmol/L
CL : 101-111 mmol/L
CO2 : 21-31 mmol/L
Anion Gap: 6-16

sodium, potassium, chloride, and

CO2. If your doctor wants even more
information, he may order a complete
metabolic panel.

Comprehensive
Metabolic Panel
(CMP)
Centrifuge specimen
and refrigerate if
pickup time is more
than 2 hrs.

Lipid Panel

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

(CMP) is a frequently ordered group
of 14 tests that gives your doctor
important information about the
current status of your kidneys, liver,
and electrolyte and acid/base
balance as well as of your blood
sugar and blood proteins. Abnormal
results, and especially combinations
of abnormal results, can indicate a
problem that needs to be addressed.
The CMP is used as a broad
screening tool to check for conditions
such as diabetes, liver disease, and
kidney disease. It is also used to
monitor complications of diseases or
side effects of medications used to
treat diseases. The CMP is routinely
ordered as part of a blood work-up for
a medical exam or yearly physical and
is collected by inserting a needle into
a vein in your arm.
Usually fasting for 10 to 12 hours
prior to the blood draw is preferred.
While the tests are sensitive, they do
not usually tell your doctor specifically
what is wrong. Abnormal test results
or groups of test results are usually
followed-up with other specific tests to
confirm or rule out a suspected
diagnosis. The CMP is also used to
monitor some known problems, such
as hypertension, and drug therapies,
such as cholesterol-lowering drugs. If
your doctor is interested in following
two or more individual CMP
components, s/he may order the
entire CMP because it offers more
information.
The lipid profile is a group of tests
that are often ordered together to
determine risk of coronary heart
disease. The tests that make up a

GLUC: 60-110 mg/d

BUN : 8-24 mg/dL
CRET: 0.9-1.6 mg/dL
TBIL : 0.0-1.2 mg/dL
ALKP: 49-142 IU/L
SGOT: 16-49 IU/L
SGPT: 10-60 IU/L
TP : 6.1-8.0 g/dL
ALB : 3.2-5.5 g/dL
CA : 8.4-10.7 mg/dL
NA : 132-142 mmol/L
K
: 3.6-5.0 mmol/L
CL : 101-111 mmol/L
CO2 : 21-31 mmol/L
Anion Gap: 6-16

TGL: mg/dL
Normal
= <150
Borderline = 150-199
High
= 200-499

lipid profile are tests that have been

shown to be good indicators of
whether someone is likely to have a
heart attack or stroke caused by
blockage of blood vessels (hardening
of the arteries).

Liver Panel

A liver panel, also known as liver

(hepatic) function tests or LFT, is
used to detect liver damage or
disease. It usually includes seven
tests that are run at the same time on
a blood sample.

Very High = >500

CHOL: mg/dL
Desirable <200
Borderline 200-239
High
> or = 240
HDL:
40-59 mg/dL
Cal. LDL: mg/dL
Optimal
<100
Near
100-129
Borderline 130-159
High
160-189
Very High >190
TBIL :
DBIL :
IBIL :
ALKP:
SGOT:
SGPT:
ALB :

0.0-1.2 mg/dL
0.0-0.2 mg/dL
0.0-0.1 mg/dL
49-142 IU/L
16-49 IU/L
10-60 IU/L
3.2-5.5 g/dL

CHEMISTRY:
Albumin

Alkaline
Phosphatase

INCREASED
absolute serum albumin content is not
seen as a natural condition. Relative
increase
may
occur
in
hemoconcentration. Absolute increase
may occur artificially by infusion of
hyperoncotic albumin suspensions.
DECREASED
serum albumin is seen in states of
decreased synthesis (malnutrition,
malabsorption, liver disease, and
other chronic diseases), increased
loss (nephritic syndrome, many GI
conditions, thermal burns, etc.), and
increased
catabolism
(thyrotoxicosis, cancer chemotherapy,
Cushings
disease,
familial
hypoproteinemia).

INCREASED
serum alkaline phosphatase is seen in
states of increased osteoblastic
activity
(hyperparathyroidism,

3.2-5.5 g/dL

49-142 IU/L

osteomalacia, primary and metastatic

neoplasms), hepatobiliary diseases
characterized by some degree of
intra- or extrahepatic cholestasis, and
in sepsis, chronic inflammatory bowel
disease,
and
thyrotoxicosis.
Isoenzymes determination may help
determine
the
organ/tissue
responsible
for
an
alkaline
phosphatase elevation.
DECREASED
serum alkaline phosphatase may not
be clinically significant. However,
decreased serum levels have been
observed in hypothyroidism, scurvy,
kwashiorkor,
achrondroplastic
dwarfism, deposition of radioactive
materials in bone, and in the rare
genetic condition hypophosphatasia.
There are probably more variations in
the
way
in
which
alkaline
phosphatase is assayed than any
other
enzyme.
Therefore,
the
reporting units vary from place to
place. The reference range for the
assaying
laboraotory
must
be
carefully studied when interpreting
any individual result.

ALT (SGPT)

Amylase

INCREASE
of serum alanine aminotransferase
(ALT, formerly called SGPT) is seen
in any condition involving necrosis of
hepatocytes,
myocardial
cells,
erythrocytes, or skeletal muscle cells.

Why get tested?

To diagnose pancreatitis or other
pancreatic diseases When to get
tested?
If you have symptoms of a
pancreatic disorder, such as severe
abdominal pain, fever, loss of
appetite, or nausea

INCREASE

10-60 IU/L

25-125 U/L

AST (SGOT)

Antistreptolysin O
(ASO), Titer

Blood Urea
Nitrogen (BUN)

Total Bilirubin
Direct Bilirubin

of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 16-49 IU/L

formerly called SGOT) is seen in
any condition involving necrosis of
hepatocytes, myocardial cells, or
skeletal muscle cells.
DECREASED
serum AST is of no known clinical
significance.
Antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer is a
blood test used to help diagnose a 0-100 IU/mL
current or past infection with Group A
strep (Streptococcus pyogenes). It
detects antibodies to streptolysin O,
one of the many strep antigens. This
test is rarely ordered now compared
to thirty years ago. For an acute strep
throat infection, this test is not
performed; the throat culture is used.
However, if a doctor is trying to find
out if someone had a recent strep
infection that may not have been
diagnosed, this test could be helpful.
In addition, it may be used to help
diagnose rheumatic fever, which
occurs weeks after a strep throat
infection when the throat culture
would no longer be positive.
Serum urea nitrogen (BUN) is
INCREASED
in acute and chronic intrinsic renal
disease, in state characterized by
decreased effective circulating blood
volume
with
decreased
renal
perfusion, in postrenal obstruction of
urine flow and in high protein intake
states.
DECREASED
serum urea nitrogen (BUN) is seen in
high carbohydrate/low protein diets,
states characterized by increased
anabolic demand (late pregnancy,
infancy, acromegaly), malabsorption
states and severe liver damage.
Serum total bilirubin is INCREASED
in hepatocellular damage (infectious
hepatitis, alcoholic and other toxic

8-24 mg/dL

TBIL: 0.0-1.2 mg/dL

DBIL: 0.0-0.2 mg/dL

Indirect Bilirubin

hepatopathy, neoplasms), intra- and

extrahepatic
biliary
hemolysis,
physiologic neonatal jaundice, CriglerNajjar syndrome, Gilberts disease,
Dubin-Johnson
syndrome,
and
fructose intolerance.

IBIL : 0.0-1.1 mg/dL

Disproportionate ELEVATION
of direct (conjugated) bilirubin is seen
in cholestasis and late in the course
of chronic liver disease. Indirect
(unconjugated) bilirubin tends to
predominate
in
hemolysis
and
Gilberts disease.
DECREASED
serum total bilirubin is probably not of
clinical significance but has been
observed in iron deficiency anemia.

BNP

Calcium

Why get tested?

To help diagnose the presence and
severity of heart failure
When to get tested?
If you have symptoms of heart
failure, such as shortness of breath
and fatigue, or if you are being treated
for heart failure
HYPERCALCEMIA
is seen in malignant neoplasms (with
or without bone involvement), primary
and tertiary hyperparathyroidism,
sarcoidosis, Vitamin D intoxication,
milk-alkali syndrome, Pagets disease
of
bone
(with
immobilization),
thyrotoxicosis,
acromegaly,
and
diuretic phase of renal acute tubular
necrosis. For a given total calcium
level,
acidosis
increases
the
physiologically active ionized form of
calcium.
Prolonged
tourniquet
pressure during venipuncture may
spuriously increase total calcium.
Drugs producing hypercalcemia
include alkaline antacids, DES,
diuretics (chronic administration),
estrogens
(including
oral
contraceptives) and progesterone.
HYPOCALCEMIA

0-100 pg/mL

8.4-10.7 mg/dL

must be interpreted in relation to

serum albumin concentration. True
decrease in the physiologically active
ionized form of Ca++ occurs in may
situations,
including
hypoparathyroidism,
Vitamin
D
deficiency, chronic renal failure,
magnesium deficiency, prolonged
anticonvulsant
therapy,
acute
pancreatitis, massive transfusion,
alcoholism, etc. Drugs producing
hypocalcemia
include
most
diuretics,
estrogens,
fluorides,
glucose, insulin, excessive laxatives,
magnesium salts, methicillin and
phosphates.

CEA

Cholesterol

Why get tested?

To determine whether cancer is
present in the body and to monitor
cancer treatment
When to get tested?
When your doctor thinks your
symptoms suggest the possibility
of cancer and before starting cancer
treatment as well as at intervals
during and after therapy
Total cholesterol has been found to
correlate with total and cardiovascular
mortality in the 30-50 year age group.
Cardiovascular mortality increases
9% for each 10 mg/dL increase in
total cholesterol over the baseline
value of 180 mg/dL.
Approximately 80% of the adult male
population has values greater than
this, so the use of median 95% of the
population to establish normal range
(as is traditional in lab medicine in
general) has no utility for this test.
Excess mortality has been shown not
to correlate with cholesterol levels in
the >50 years age group, probably
because of the depressive effects on
cholesterol levels expressed by
various chronic diseases to which
older individuals are prone.

Non-Smokers:
<2.8 n g/mL
Smokers:
<7.4 ng/mL

CHOL
: mg/dL
Desirable <200
Borderline 200-239
High
> or = 240

CK

Creatinine
Creatinine
Clearance

Why get tested?

To determine if you have had a heart
attack and if other muscles in your
body have been damaged.
When to get tested?
If you have chest pain or muscle
pain and weakness; immediately
after a suspected heart attack and
every few hours for a total of 3 or 4
tests
Serum creatinine level and creatinine
clearance are different ways of
determining kidney function.
Creatinine is a protein produced by
muscle and released into the blood.
The amount produced is relatively
stable in a given person. The
creatinine level in the serum is
therefore determined by the rate it is
being removed, which is roughly a
measure of kidney function. If kidney
function falls (say a kidney is
removed to donate to a relative), the
creatinine level will rise. Normal is
about 1 for an average adult. Infants
that have little muscle will have lower
normal levels (0.2). Muscle bound
weight lifters may have a higher
normal creatinine. Serum creatinine
only reflects renal function in a steady
state. After removing a kidney, if the
donors blood is checked right away
the serum creatinine will still be 1.
In the next day the creatinine will rise
to a new steady state (usually about
1.8). If both kidneys were removed
(say for cancer) the creatinine would
continue to rise daily until dialysis is
begun. How fast it rises depends on
creatinine production, which is again
related to how much muscle one has.
Creatinine clearance is technically
the amount of blood that is cleared
of creatinine per time period. It is
usually expressed in mL per minute.
Normal is 120 mL/min for an adult. It

FEMALE: 34-204 IU/L

MALE : 41-277 IU/L

CRET: 0.9-1.6 mg/dL

is roughly, inversely related to serum

creatinine: If the clearance drops to
one half of the old level, the serum
creatinine doubles (in the steady
state). So for an adult, serum
creatinine of 2 is roughly a creatinine
clearance of 60 mL/min; creatinine 3
is roughly a clearance of 30;
creatinine of 4 is roughly a clearance
of 15, etc. So why didnt the
creatinine rise to only 2 when a
kidney was removed? The answer is
that
the
remaining
kidney
hyperfilters and seems to work
harder, therefore kidney function is
not quite halved.
Usually, an adult will need dialysis
because symptoms of kidney failure
appear at a clearance of less than 10
mL/min. Creatinine clearance has to
be measured by urine collection
(usually 12 or 24 hours). It is a more
precise estimate of kidney function
than serum creatinine since it does
not depend on the amount of muscle
one has.

CRP

High Sensitivity
CRP

Why get tested?

To
identify
the
presence
of
inflammation and to monitor response
to treatment [Note: to test for your
risk of heart disease, a more
sensitive test (hs-CRP) is used.]
When to get tested?
When your doctor suspects that you
might
be
suffering
from
an
inflammatory disorder (as with certain
types of arthritis and autoimmune
disorders or inflammatory bowel
disease) or to check for the presence
of infection (especially after surgery)

Why get tested?

May be helpful in assessing risk of
developing heart disease

0.0-0.99 mg/dL

mg/dL
Lowest Risk <0.06

When to get tested?

No current consensus exists on when
to get tested; the test is most often
done in conjuction with other tests
that are ordered to assess risk of
heart disease, such as lipid profiles.

DLDL

Ferritin

Vitamin B12

Folate

To help determine your risk of

developing heart disease and to
monitor
lipid
lowering
lifestyle
changes and drug therapies. To
accurately determine your low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) level when you are
nonfasting.
The test is done to learn about your
bodys ability to store iron for later
use.
You should get tested when your
doctor suspects you may not have
enough iron or too much iron in your
system
Why get tested?
To help diagnose the cause of anemia
or neuropathy (nerve damage), to
evaluate nutritional status in some
patients, to monitor effectiveness of
treatment for B12 or folate deficiency.
When to get tested?
When you have large red blood cells,
when you have symptoms of anemia
and/or of neuropathy. When you are
being treated for B12 or folate
deficiency.
Why get tested?
To help diagnose the cause of anemia
or neuropathy (nerve damage), to
evaluate nutritional status in some
patients, to monitor effectiveness of
treatment for B12 or folate deficiency.
When to get tested?
When you have large red blood cells,
when you have symptoms of anemia
and/or of neuropathy. When you are
being treated for B12 or folate
deficiency.

Low Risk
0.07-0.11
Mod. Risk
0.12-0.19
High Risk
0.20-0.38
Highest Risk >0.39

mg/dL
Optimal
Near Optimal
Borderline
High
Very High

<100
100-129
130-159
160-189
>190

24-336 ng/mL

pg/mL
Normal
180-707
Indeterminate 141-179
Deficient
<141

ng/mL
Normal
>3.1
Indeterminate 2.5-3.1
Deficient
<2.5

Glucose

Hemoglobin A1C
(Glycohemoglobin)

Iron

ImmunoelectroPhoresis

Why get tested?

To determine whether or not your 60-110 mg/dL
blood glucose level is within normal
ranges; to screen for, diagnose, and
monitor diabetes, pre-diabetes, and
hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)
When to get tested?
As part of a yearly physical and when
you have symptoms suggesting
hyperglycemia (high blood glucose)
or hypoglycemia, or if you are
pregnant; if you are diabetic, up to
several times a day to monitor
glucose levels.
Why get tested?
To monitor a persons diabetes and to 3.3-5.6 %
aid in treatment decisions
When to get tested?
When first diagnosed with diabetes
and then 2 to 4 times per year.
Iron is needed to help form adequate
numbers of normal red blood cells,
which carry oxygen throughout the
body. Iron is a critical part of
hemoglobin, the protein in red blood
cells that binds oxygen in the lungs
and releases it as blood travels to
other parts of the body. Iron is also
needed by other cells, especially
muscle (which contains another
oxygen
binding
protein
called
myoglobin). Low iron levels can lead
to anemia, in which the body does not
have enough red blood cells. Other
conditions can cause you to have too
much iron in your blood.
Serum Iron level measures the level
of iron in the liquid part of your blood.
Why get tested?
To help diagnose and monitor multiple
myeloma and a variety of other
conditions
that
affect
protein
absorption, production, and loss as
seen in severe organ disease and
altered nutritional states
When to get tested?
If you have an abnormal total protein

ug/dL
Male
50-160
Female 40-150

or albumin level or if your doctor

suspects that you have a condition
that affects protein concentrations in
the blood and/or causes protein loss
through the urine.

LD

Lipase

MAGNESIUM

PHOSPHOROUS

Why get tested?

To help identify the cause and
location of tissue damage in the body,
and to monitor
its progress;
historically, has been used to help
diagnose and monitor a heart attack,
but troponin has largely replaced LDH
in this role.
When to get tested?
Along with other tests, when your
doctor suspects that you have an
acute or chronic condition that is
causing
tissue
or
cellular
destruction and he wants to identify
and monitor the problem.
Why get tested? To diagnose
pancreatitis or other pancreatic
disease
When to get tested?
If you have symptoms of a
pancreatic disorder, such as severe
abdominal pain, fever, loss of
appetite, or nausea

Why get tested?

To evaluate the level of magnesium in
your blood and to help determine the
cause of abnormal calcium and/or
potassium levels
When to get tested?
If you have symptoms (such as
weakness,
irritability,
cardiac
arrhythmia, nausea, and/or diarrhea)
that may be due to too much or too
little magnesium or if you have
abnormal calcium or potassium levels
Why get tested?
To evaluate the level of phosphorus in
your blood and to aid in the diagnosis
of conditions known to cause
abnormally high or low levels
When to get tested?

IU/L
Male
140-304
Female 142-297

22-51 U/L

1.8-2.5 mg/dL

4.0-7.0 mg/dL

As a follow-up to an abnormal calcium

level, if you have a kidney disorder or
uncontrolled diabetes, and if you are
taking
calcium
or
phosphate
supplements

POTASSIUM

Prostatic Specific
Antigen (PSA)

Rheumatoid Factor

TRANSFERRIN

Total Protein

Why get tested?

To diagnose levels of potassium that 3.6-5.0 mmol/L
are too high (hyperkalemia) or too
low (hypokalemia)
When to get tested?
As part of a routine medical exam or
to investigate a serious illness, such
as high blood pressure or kidney
disease
Why get tested?
To get screened for -- and to monitor 0.00-4.00 ng/mL
-- prostate cancer
When to get tested?
There is some debate over this (see
prostate cancer screening). Generally,
for men over 50, as recommended by
your physician (may be annually or
less frequently); annually starting at
age 45 for African-American men and
men with a family history of prostate
cancer.
Why get tested?
To help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis
(RA) and Sjgrens syndrome
When to get tested?
If your doctor thinks that you have
symptoms of RA or Sjgrens
syndrome
Why get tested?
To learn about your bodys ability to
transport iron
When to get tested?
When your doctor suspects you may
have too much or too little iron in your
body because of a variety of
conditions; the test also helps to
monitor liver function and nutrition
Why get tested?
To determine your nutritional status or
to screen for certain liver and kidney
disorders as well as other diseases

IU/mL
Negative
<20
Weak Positive 20-50
Positive
>50

mg/dL
Male
215-365
Female 250-380

6.1-8.0 g/dL

When to get tested?

If you experience unexpected weight
loss or fatigue or if your doctor thinks
that you have symptoms of a liver or
kidney disorder

Uric Acid

Why get tested?

To detect high levels of uric acid,
which could be a sign of the condition
gout

3.8-8.9 mg/dL

When to get tested?

When your doctor thinks that you
might have gout or when monitoring
certain chemotherapy or radiation
therapies for cancer

URINE CHEMISTRY:
Microalbumin

Why get tested?

To get screened for a possible kidney
disorder
When to get tested?
Annually after a diagnosis of diabetes
or hypertension

ENDOCRINOLOGY:
CORTISOL

HCG, Qualitative
and
Quantitative

Why get tested?

To help diagnose Cushing syndrome
or Addison disease
When to get tested?
If your doctor suspects damage to the
adrenal gland

ug/dL
A.M. 8.7-22.4
P.M. <10

Why get tested?

To confirm and monitor pregnancy or
to diagnose trophoblastic disease or
germ cell tumors

Negative

When to get tested?

As early as 10 days after a missed
menstrual period (some methods can
detect hCG even earlier, at one week
after conception) or if a doctor thinks
that your symptoms suggest ectopic
pregnancy, a failing pregnancy,
trophoblastic disease, or germ cell
tumors
Why get tested?

Foilicle Stimulating
Hormone (FSH)

To evaluate your pituitary function,

especially in terms of fertility issues

1.24-19.26 mIU/mL

When to get tested?

If you are having difficulty getting
pregnant or are having irregular
menstrual periods or if your doctor
thinks that you have symptoms of a
pituitary or hypothalamic disorder

Luteinizing
Hormone (LH)

Why get tested?

To evaluate your pituitary function,
especially in terms of fertility issues

1.24-8.62 mIU/mL

When to get tested?

If you are having difficulty getting
pregnant or are having irregular
menstrual periods or if your doctor
thinks that you have symptoms of a
pituitary or hypothalamic disorder

PROLACTIN

Why get tested?

To determine whether or not your
prolactin levels are higher (or
occasionally lower) than normal

2.64-13.13 ng/mL

When to get tested?

When you have symptoms of an
elevated
prolactin,
such
as:
galactorrhea
and/or
visual
disturbances and headaches, as part
of a workup for female and male
infertility, and for follow up of low
testosterone in men.

TESTOSTERONE,
Total

Why get tested?

To determine if your testosterone
levels are abnormal, which may help
to explain difficulty getting an erection
(erectile dysfunction), inability of your
partner to get pregnant (infertility), or
premature or delayed puberty if you
are male, or masculine physical
features if you are female
When to get tested?
If you are male and your doctor thinks
that you may be infertile or if you are

175-781 ng/dL

unable to get or maintain an erection;

if you are a boy with either early or
delayed sexual maturity; if you are a
female but have male traits, such as a
low voice or excessive body hair, or
are infertile

Thyroid
Stimulating
Hormone (TSH)

T4
Draw in plain red top
tube. The gel in the
gold tops cause
interference.

Why get tested?

To screen for and diagnose thyroid 0.318-5.90 uIU/mL
disorders; to monitor treatment of
hypothyroidism
When to get tested?
For screening: There is no consensus
within the medical community as to at
what age adult screening should
begin or whether it should even be
done; however, newborn screening is
widely recommended. For monitoring
treatment: as directed by your doctor.
Otherwise: as symptoms present.

Why get tested?

To diagnose hypothyroidism or
hyperthyroidism in adults; to screen
for hypothyroidism in newborns.
When to get tested?
Usually is ordered in response to an
abnormal TSH test result. Commonly
performed on newborns.

6.09-12.23 ug/dL

URINALYSIS
URINALYSIS
Specimen is good for
8 hours refrigerated or
1 hour at room
temperature.

Why get tested?

To screen for metabolic and kidney
disorders
When to get tested?
Regularly on admission to a hospital;
in a work-up for a planned surgery; as
part of an annual physical exam; or
when evaluating a new pregnancy.
May be done if you have abdominal
pain, back pain, frequent or painful
urination, or blood in the urine.

HEMATOLOGY/ COAGULATION
Why get tested?

MIX TUBES WELL

Hemoglobin/
Hematocrit (H&H)

Platelet Count
Clotted specimens
have to be rejected.

Complete Blood
Count (CBC)
Clotted specimens
have to be rejected.

Complete Blood
Count With
Differential
(CBCD)
Clotted specimens
have to be rejected.

ESR
(Sedimentation
Rate)
Specimen can be held
for 12 hours if
refrigerated.

If you have anemia (too few red blood

cells) or polycythemia (too many red
blood cells), to assess its severity, and
to monitor response to treatment
When to get tested?
As part of a complete blood count
(CBC), which may be ordered for a
variety of reasons
Why get tested?
To diagnose a bleeding disorder or a
bone marrow disease

HCT: 38-50 %
HGB: 13.0-17.0 g/Dl

140-400 THOUS

When to get tested?

As part of a regular complete blood
count (CBC) or to diagnose/monitor a
bone marrow/blood disease.
Why get tested?
To determine general health status
and to screen for a variety of
disorders, such as anemia and
infection, as well as nutritional status
and exposure to toxic substances

WBC : 3.5-11.0 THO/MM3

RBC : 4.2-5.7 MIL/MM3
HGB : 13.0-17.0 g/dL
HCT : 38-50 %
MCV : 80-99 Fl
MCH : 27-34 uug
When to get tested?
As part of a routine medical exam or MCHC: 33-36 g/Dl
RDW : 11.2-15.2%
as determined by your doctor
PLT : 140-400 THOUS
MPV : 7.3-10.1
Why get tested?
To diagnose an illness affecting your
immune system, such as an infection

WBC : 3.5-11.0 THO/MM3

RBC : 4.2-5.7 MIL/MM3
HGB : 13.0-17.0 g/dL
When to get tested?
HCT : 38-50 %
As part of a complete blood count
MCV : 80-99 Fl
(CBC), which may be ordered for a
MCH : 27-34 uug
variety of reasons
MCHC: 33-36 g/Dl
RDW : 11.2-15.2%
PLT : 140-400 THOUS
MPV : 7.3-10.1
Why get tested?
To detect and monitor the activity of
inflammation as an aid in the
diagnosis of the underlying cause

When to get tested?

When your doctor thinks that you
might have a condition that causes

mm/hr
Male
0-15
Female 0-20

inflammation and to help diagnose

and follow the course of temporal
arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatic

Prothrombin Time
(PT)
Prothrombin Time is
good for 24 hours
refrigerated.
Tube must be filled
completely.

Partial
Thromboplastin
Time (PTT)
PTT must be run
within 4 hours.
Tube must be filled
completely.

White Blood Cell

Count (WBC)

D-Dimer

Why get tested?

To check how well blood-thinning
medications (anti-coagulants) are
working to prevent blood clots; to help
detect and diagnose a bleeding
disorder.
When to get tested?
If you are taking an anti-coagulant
drug or if your doctor suspects that
you may have a bleeding disorder

With anticoagulant:
<45 sec
Without anticoagulant:
10.5-13.8 sec

Why get tested?

As part of an investigation of a 22.0-37.0 sec
bleeding or thrombotic episode. To
help evaluate your risk of excessive
bleeding prior to a surgical procedure.
To monitor heparin anticoagulant
therapy.
When to get tested?
When you have unexplained bleeding
or blood clotting. When you are on
heparin
anticoagulant
therapy.
Sometimes as part of a pre-surgical
screen.

Why get tested?

If your doctor thinks that you might
have an infection or allergy and to
monitor treatment .
When to get tested?
As part of a complete blood count
(CBC), which may be ordered for a
variety of

Why get tested?

To help diagnose or rule out
thrombotic (blood clot producing)
diseases and conditions
When to get tested?
When you have symptoms of a
disease or condition that causes

3.5-11.0 THO/MM3

0-400 ng/mL

acute and/or chronic inappropriate

blood clot formation such as: DVT
(Deep
Vein
Thrombosis),
PE
(Pulmonary Embolism), or DIC
(Disseminated
Intravascular
Coagulation), and to monitor the
progress and treatment of DIC and
other thrombotic conditions.

SEROLOGY:

Anti-Nuclear
Antibody (ANA)

HIV

H. Pylori Antibody
Screen

Mono Screen

Why get tested?

To help diagnose systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE) and druginduced lupus and rule out certain
other autoimmune diseases
When to get tested?
If your doctor thinks that you have
symptoms of SLE or drug-induced
lupus.

Why get tested?

To determine if you are infected with
HIV
When to get tested?
Three to six months after you think
you may have been exposed to the
virus

Why get tested?

To diagnose an infection with
Helicobacter pylori
When to get tested?
If you have gastrointestinal pain or
symptoms of an ulcer

Why get tested?

To get screened for mononucleosis
When to get tested?
If
you
have
symptoms
of
mononucleosis, including fever, sore
throat, swollen glands, and fatigue

Negative

Negative

Negative

Negative

Flu A & B

Why get tested?

To determine whether or not you have Negative
the influenza A or B; to help your
doctor
make
rapid
treatment
decisions; and to help determine
whether or not the flu has come to
your community.
When to get tested?
When it is flu season and your doctor
wants to determine whether your flulike symptoms are due to influenza A
or B, or to other causes. Within 48
hours of the onset of your symptoms,
to help determine treatment options.

MICROBIOLOGY:
Urine Culture

AFB Culture

Why get tested?

To diagnose a urinary tract infection
(UTI)
When to get tested?
If you experience symptoms of a UTI,
such as pain during urination
Why get tested?
To help identify a mycobacterial
infection, to diagnose tuberculosis
(TB), to monitor the effectiveness of
treatment
When to get tested?
When you have symptoms, such as a
chronic cough, weight loss, fever,
chills, and weakness, that may be
due to TB or due to another
mycobacterial infection. When your
doctor suspects that you have active
TB. When your doctor wants to
monitor the effectiveness of TB
treatment.

Herpes Culture

Why get tested?

To screen for or diagnose infection
with the herpes simplex virus
When to get tested?
If you have symptoms of an infection
with the herpes simplex virus, such as

blisters or sores around your mouth

or in the genital area

Rapid Beta Screen

Why get tested?

To determine if a sore throat
(pharyngitis) is caused by a Group A
streptococcal
bacteria
(strep
throat)
When to get tested?
If you have a sore throat and fever
and your doctor thinks it may be due
to an upper respiratory infection

Chlamydia Screen

GC Screen

MRSA Screen

Why get tested?

To screen for or diagnose chlamydia
infection
When to get tested?
If you are sexually active, pregnant,
have one or more risk factors for
developing chlamydia, or have a
cervical infection; depending on
your risk factors, may be annually
Why get tested?
To
screen
for
Neisseria
gonorrhoeae, which causes the
sexually
transmitted
disease
gonorrhea
When to get tested?
If you have symptoms of gonorrhea or
are pregnant

The goal of laboratory testing for

staph wound infections is to identify
the presence of S. aureus, to
determine whether it is a MRSA
strain, and to evaluate the staphs
susceptibility to available antibiotics. If
an infection is due to MRSA, it should
be investigated to determine where it
came from and how it was acquired.
This is especially important in CAMRSA to prevent further cases from
occurring.

VRE
are
specific
antimicrobial-resistant

types
of
staph

VRE Screen

bacteria. While most staph bacteria

are susceptible to the antimicrobial
agent
vancomycin
some
have
developed resistance. VRE cannot be
successfully treated with vancomycin
because these organisms are no
longer susceptibile to vancomycin.
However, to date, all VRE isolates
have been susceptible to other Food
and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved drugs.

FECAL ANALYSIS:
BLOOD

Why get tested?

To screen for gastrointestinal
bleeding, which may be an indicator
of colon cancer

Negative

When to get tested?

As part of a routine examination,
annually
after
age
50
(as
recommended by the American
Cancer Society and other major
organizations), and as directed by
your doctor

C Difficile Toxin

Why get tested?

To
detect
the
presence
Clostridium difficile toxin

of

Negative

When to get tested?

When a patient has acute diarrhea
that persists for several days,
abdominal pain, fever, and/or
nausea following antibiotic therapy

Giardia Specific
Antigen

This test detects protein structures on

the giardia parasite. It is more
sensitive and specific for this
particular parasite than the O&P
microscopic exam.

WBCs

Stool WBC (white blood cells) may be

present in the stool when there is a
bacterial infection.

Negative

None Seen