biomedical analysis

Question 1

Serum Albumin

Answer 1

3.5-5.0g/dL
A visceral protein mainly in blood and organs;
Maintains colloidal osmotic pressure;
Hypoalbuminemia associated with edema, surgery;
Levels above normal range likely due to dehydration;
Long half-life, does not reflect current protein intake;

Question 2

Serum Transferrin

Answer 2

≥200mg/dL
A visceral protein used to transports iron to bone Marrow for production hemoglobin;
Shorter half-life than serum albumin; not used as a measure of protein status;
Serum level controlled by iron storage pool; rises with iron deficiency;
Mainly used in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia;
Can be determined by the total iron binding capacity;

Question 3

TTHY: Transthyretin
PAB: prealbumin

Answer 3

16-40mg/dL
Prealbumin is the best visceral protein to evaluate;
Short half-life; pick up changes in protein status quickly;
During inflammation, the liver synthesizes acute-phase proteins such as C-reactive protein (CRP) at the expense of PAB.
Limited usefulness of screening or assessment

Question 4

RBP: Retinol-binding protein

Answer 4

3.-6 mg/dL
Circulates with prealbumin;
Shortest half-life (12 hours);
Binds and transports retinol;

Question 5

Hct: Hematocrit

Answer 5

M: 42-52% F:37-47% Pregnant: 33% Newborn: 44-64%
Volume of packed cells in whole blood;
Works with Hgb to indicate iron status

Question 6

Hgb: Hemoglobin

Answer 6

M: 14-17gm/dL F: 12-15gm/dL Pregnant: ≤11
Iron-containing pigment of RBC;
Erythrocytes are produced in bone marrow;
Works with Hct to indicate iron status

Question 7

Serum Ferritin

Answer 7

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

Indicates size of iron storage pool

Question 8

Serum Creatinine

Answer 8

0.6-1.4 mg/dL
Related to muscle mass; measures somatic protein;
Excreted by kidney with reabsorption;
Works with BUN to assess kidney function;
May indicate renal disease, muscle wastage

Question 9

CHI: Creatinine height index

Answer 9

80% normal
Ratio of creatinine excreted / 24 hours to height
Estimates lean body mass - somatic protein
60-80% mild muscle depletion

Question 10

BUN: Blood urea nitrogen

Answer 10

10-20 mg/dL; Renal Pt ＜ 100
Related to protein intake, indicates renal disease
BUN: creatinine ratio = 10-15 : 1 (normal)

Question 11

Urinary creatinine clearance

Answer 11

115±20ml/minute
Measures GFR (glomerular filtration, renal function)
Estimate includes body surface area (Ht and Wt)

Question 12

TLC: total lymphocyte count

Answer 12

≥2700 cells/cu mm
Measures immunocopetency;
Moderate depletion 900-1800;
Severe depletion ＜900;
Decreased in protein-energy malnutrition

Question 13

CRP: C-reactive protein

Answer 13

Marker of acute inflammatory stress;
As it declines, indicates when nutritional therapy would be beneficial;
When elevated CRP decreases, PAB increases;

Question 14

FEP: Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin

Answer 14

Direct measure of toxic effects of lead on heme synthesis;
Increased in lead poisoning;
Lead depletes iron leading to anemia

Question 15

PT: prothrombin time

Answer 15

11 - 12.5 seconds, 85-100% of normal
Anticoagulants prolong PT
Evaluates clotting adequacy; change in Vitamin K intake will alter rate

Question 16

Hair analysis

Answer 16

not for nutrition assessment;

useful in measuring intake of toxic metals