Interpretation Of Lab Results

  Synonyms :  alpha1 -Lipoprotein cholesterol ,high density cholesterol , HDLC , B- Lipoprotein cholesterol , low- density cholesterol , LDLC .  Specimen : Serum (2 ml )    Reference value : HDL 40 - 65 mg/dL                               LDL  80 - 185 mg/dL    Method : Spectrophotometer  Description  High - density lipoprotein  cholesterol (HDLC) and Low- density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) are the major transport proteins for cholesterol in the body . It is believed that HDLC may have protective properties in that its role includes transporting  cholesterol from the arteries to the liver . LDLC is the major transport protein for cholesterol to the arteries from the liver .  LDLC can be calculated using to total cholesterol , total triglycerides , and HDLC levels.  HDLC levels less than 40 mg/ dL in men and women represnte a coronary risk factor . There is an inverse relationship between HDLC and risk of coronary artery disease (CAD ) ( i.e l

Blood tests Serum creatinine.     Synonym: Cr Specimen : Serum  Reference Value : 0.6 - 1.2  Method :  Spectrophotometer  Description Creatinine (kree-AT-uh-nin) is a waste product that comes from meat protein in the diet and from the normal wear and tear on muscles of the body. Creatinine levels in the blood can vary, and each laboratory has its own normal range. In many labs the normal range is 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL. Higher levels may be a sign that the kidneys are not working properly. As kidney d isease progresses, the level of creatinine in the blood increases.  Indications Evaluated known or suspected impairment of renal function ( decrease glomerular filtration rate (GFR)

Specimen : Serum (1 ml )    Reference value : Desirable less than 200 mg/dL                              Borderline 200 - 239 mg/dL                                High Greater Than 240 mg/dL    Method : Spectrophotometer    Description :  Cholesterol is a lipid needed to from cell membranes and a component of the materials that render the skin waterproof . It also helps form bile salts , adrenal corticosteroids , estrogen and androgen .   Cholesterol is obtained from the diet (exogenous cholesterol ) and also synthesized in the body( endogenous cholesterol ) . Although most body cells can form som cholesterol , it is produced mainly by liver and intestinal mucosa .  Very low cholesterol value , as is sometimes seen in critically ill patients , can be as life threatening as very high levels .   

Introduction     What is a lipid profile?    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 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).      What tests are included in a lipid profile?    The lipid profile includes total cholesterol , HDL-cholesterol (often called good cholesterol), LDL-cholesterol (often called bad cholesterol), and triglycerides . Sometimes the report will include additional calculated values such as HDL / Cholesterol ratio or a risk score based on lipid profile results, age, sex, and other risk factors.      How is a lipid profile used?    The lipid profile is used to guide providers in deciding how a person at risk should be treated. The results of the lipid profile are considered

Essential function of removing waste products from the blood and regulating the water fluid levels. The diagram below shows the basic structure of the kidney.    The kidneys receive blood through the renal artery. The blood is passed through the structure of the kidneys called nephrons, where waste products and excess water pass out of the blood stream, as shown in the diagram below.    When the venom induces clotting, the fibrin is deposited in the tubules. As the tubules are blocked, the kidneys are not able to remove the same amount of waste products from the blood, and urea and cretinine begin to accumulate in the blood. If these chemicals are not removed, the concentrations become lethal. When the kidneys are not functional, dialysis becomes necessary to save the victim. In dialysis, the blood passes through an external membrane which allows waste products from the blood to pass out of the blood and into the dialysis fluid. Because of the rate of buildu

Liver Enzymes   Definition A liver enzyme is a protein that helps to speed up a chemical reaction in the   liver. Liver function tests are blood tests that are used to evaluate various functions of the liver - for example, metabolism, storage, filtration and excretion, which are often performed by liver enzymes. However, not all liver function tests are measures of enzyme function. • ALT - (alanine aminotransferase )   - was previously called SGPT is more specific for liver damage. The ALT is an enzyme that is produced in the liver cells (hepatocytes) therefore it is more specific for liver disease than some of the other enzymes. It is generally increased in situations where there is damage to the liver cell membranes. All types of liver inflammation can cause raised ALT.    • AST - (aspartate aminotransferase) which was previously called SGOT. This is a mitochondrial enzyme that is also present in heart, muscle, kidney and brain therefore it is less specific

What causes the enzymes to be raised in a Liver Function Test?     The reason why all or some of these enzymes become elevated in cases of liver disease is that they are normally contained inside the liver cells (hepatocytes). They only leak into the blood stream when the liver cells are damaged. Thus measuring liver enzymes is only able to detect liver damage and does not measure liver function in a sensitive way. Other tests can be done to check the ability of the liver to manufacture its vital proteins. These are tests for the proteins albumin, prothrombin, and various globulins and they show characteristic abnormalities in those whose liver function is abnormal.    Tests for Liver Function:-    What is a Liver Function Test?   Blood samples are analyzed for levels of specific enzymes in the blood stream – there are generally 5 – 6 specific things that are checked. Collectively these tests are called a “ Liver Function Test ” or LFT. These enzymes are what

Diagnostic Serum Enzymes     Aldolase:        Aldolase is present most significantly in skeletal and heart muscle. Damage to skeletal muscle produces high serum levels of aldolase, particularly in the case of progressive muscular dystrophy. Aldolase may also be slightly increased in early stages of viral hepatitis and advanced cancer of the prostate.      Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK or CK) : CPK catalyzes the reversible transfer of phosphate groups between creatine and phosphocreatine as well as between ATP and ADP. Most of the CPK resides in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and in the gastrointestinal tract. CPK enters the blood rapidly following damage to muscle cells. At first CPK seemed to be an excellent marker for acute myocardial infarction (heart damage) or skeletal muscle damage. Unfortunately, the CPK levels rise and fall rapidly and coincide with a variety of other circumstances including surgical procedures, vigorous exercise, a fall, or a deep intramus

A woman has gestational diabetes when she is pregnant and has any two of the following: fasting plasma glucose of more than 105 mg/dl, a 1-hour glucose level of more than 190 mg/dl, a 2-hour glucose level of more than 165 mg/dl, or a 3-hour glucose level of more than 145 mg/dl.   

  Normal Regulation of Blood Glucose The important roles of insulin and glucagon   Normal Response A person is said to have a normal response when the 2-hour glucose level is less than or equal to 110 mg/dl.   

1 - Introduction  2- Several different types of blood glucose tests are used  

Anemia - sickle cell; Hemoglobin SS disease (Hb SS) Support Groups -  Expectations (prognosis)   - Complications -  Calling your health care provider - Prevention . 

Anemia - sickle cell; Hemoglobin SS disease (Hb SS)   Sickle cell disease Definition    - Causes, incidence, and risk factors - Symptoms - Signs and tests - Treatment   .

Anemia - secondary aplastic   ( Acquired aplastic anemia ) Definition    - Causes, incidence, and risk factors - Symptoms - Signs and tests - Treatment   - Expectations (prognosis)   - Complications -  Calling your health care provider - Prevention . 

Macrocytic achylic anemia     ( Congenital pernicious anemia - Juvenile pernicious anemia; Vitamin B12 deficiency (malabsorption) - Complications   Definition   - Causes, incidence, and risk factors - Symptoms -  Signs and tests   -  Treatment - Expectations (prognosis)   - Complications   - Calling your health care provider   -  Prevention    

Definition -  Causes, incidence, and risk factors  -  Symptoms -  Signs and tests -  Treatment   -  Expectations (prognosis) -  Calling your health care provider     . 

            Anemia - immune hemolytic Definition -  Causes, incidence, and risk factors  -  Symptoms -  Signs and tests -  Treatment   -  Expectations (prognosis) -  Calling your health care provider     . 

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia ( Anemia - idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic ) Definition  -  Causes, incidence, and risk factor s -    Symptoms -    Signs and tests -  Treatment -  Expectations (prognosis)    -  Complications

Antibodies Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens.

Anemia - idiopathic aplastic Definition  -  Causes, incidence, and risk factor s -    Symptoms -    Signs and tests -  Treatment -  Expectations (prognosis)    -  Complications   -  Bone marrow aspiration . 

G-6-PD deficiency   Hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency ;  Anemia - hemolytic due to G6PD deficiency - Definition  - Drugs that can bring on this reaction -   Symptoms -   Signs and tests -   Treatment   

Hemolytic Anemia Hemolytic Anemia Definition -  Types of hemolytic anemia -  Symptoms     - Signs and tests  - Treatment   . 

Red blood cells, sickle cell Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disease in which the red blood cells produce abnormal pigment (hemoglobin). The abnormal hemoglobin causes deformity of the red blood cells into crescent or sickle-shapes, as seen in this photomicrograph.                    Red blood cells, elliptocytosis  Elliptocytosis is a hereditary disorder of the red blood cells (RBCs). In this condition, the RBCs assume an elliptical shape, rather than the typical round shape.

              Anemia - iron deficiency Reticulocytes  In the presence of some anemias, the body increases production of red blood cells (RBCs), and sends these cells into the bloodstream before they are mature. These slightly immature cells are called reticulocytes, and are characterized by a network of filaments and granules. Reticulocytes normally make up 1% of the total RBC count, but may exceed levels of 4% when compensating for anemia  

Folate-deficiency anemia    is a decrease in red blood cells (anemia) caused by folate deficiency. Causes, incidence, and risk factors      Folate, also called folic acid, is necessary for red blood cell formation and growth. Folate can be obtained from green leafy vegetables and liver. Some medications, such as Dilantin (phenytoin), interfere with the absorption of this vitamin. Because folate is not stored in the body in large amounts, a continual dietary supply of this vitamin is needed.

 Definitions & types of anemia and its treatments Definition     Return to  Anemia is a lower than normal number of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the blood, usually measured by a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the red pigment in red blood cells that transports oxygen.

Diagnosing Anemia In many cases, doctors don't discover anemia until they run blood tests as part of a routine physical examination.  A complete blood count (CBC) may indicate that there are fewer red blood cells than normal.  Other diagnostic tests may include: 

Signs and Symptoms of Anemia The most common sign of iron deficiency and other types of nutritional anemia is mild paleness of the skin, along with decreased pinkness of the lips, the lining of the eyelids, and the nail beds.

Anemia, one of the more common blood disorders, occurs when the number of healthy red blood cells decreases in the body. The disc-shaped red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a unique molecule that carries oxygen to the body's tissues.   

                          The Blood A few nights working in a trauma center would tend to convince one that the body is just a huge bag of blood. In fact, an "average" 70 liter human body contains only about 5 liters of blood, or 7% by volume. In the normal state, blood has no business anywhere except in the confines of the heart and blood vessels and in the sinusoids of the marrow, liver, and spleen. Of the average 5 L of blood, only 2.25 L, or 45%, consists of cells. The rest is plasma, which itself consists of 93% water (by weight) and 7% solids (mostly proteins, the greatest proportion of which is albumin). Of the 2.25 L of cells, only 0.037 L (1.6%) are leukocytes. The entire circulating leukocyte population, if purified, would fit in a bartender's jigger. The total circulating platelet volume is even less -- about 0.0065 L -- or a little over one teaspoonful. 

Blood cells  Introduction   Hematopathology  

 Complete blood count (CBC) (Part 2 )

Complete Blood Count Test (CBC) What is the complete blood count test (CBC)?  Many blood tests measure the amount of a particular chemical or protein in your blood, but a complete blood count checks the blood cells themselves. It measures the numbers of different types of blood cells, their sizes, and their appearance. It is a very common and useful blood test. Any irregularities can then be observed and used as a basis for follow-up check-ups. In general, the test measures 3 main components of blood: 

  Blood cells  I ntroduction What are blood cells?  What do they look like?  What functions do they perform?  How can I recognize the different categories?

Complete Blood Count Test (CBC) Cell Counter