Lab Values Flashcards
What is the reference range for Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)?
10-40 U/L
Elevated in liver damage or hepatitis. ‘A Little Trouble’ (ALT): Think liver issues.
What is the reference range for Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)?
12-38 U/L
Elevated in liver or muscle damage (e.g., myocardial infarction). ‘Alcoholic STeve’ (AST): Alcohol-related liver damage.
What is the reference range for Alkaline phosphatase?
25-100 U/L
Elevated in cholestasis or bone disorders. ‘Alk Phos = Alkaline Bones’: High in bone growth or liver obstruction.
What is the reference range for Amylase?
25-125 U/L
Elevated in pancreatitis or salivary gland disorders. ‘Amy loves Pancreas’: High in pancreatitis.
What is the reference range for Total Bilirubin?
0.1-1.0 mg/dL
Elevated in liver dysfunction or hemolysis. ‘Billy is Yellow’: Bilirubin links to jaundice.
What is the reference range for Direct Bilirubin?
0.0-0.3 mg/dL
Elevated in obstructive jaundice. Direct = ‘Duct Obstruction’: Obstructive jaundice.
What is the reference range for Calcium (serum)?
8.4-10.2 mg/dL
Hypocalcemia seen in hypoparathyroidism; hypercalcemia in malignancies. ‘Call 9-10 for Calcium’: Range 8.4-10.2.
What is the reference range for Sodium (Na+)?
136-146 mEq/L
Hyponatremia in SIADH; hypernatremia in dehydration. ‘Sodium = Salt’: Normal salt levels 136-146.
What is the reference range for Potassium (K+)?
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Hypokalemia in diuretics use; hyperkalemia in renal failure. ‘Potassium = Pump’: 3.5-5.0 keeps heart pumping.
What is the reference range for Chloride (Cl-)?
95-105 mEq/L
Hypochloremia in metabolic alkalosis; hyperchloremia in metabolic acidosis. ‘Chloride = Cool Pool’: 95-105 for balance.
What is the reference range for Bicarbonate (HCO3-)?
22-28 mEq/L
Decreased in metabolic acidosis; increased in metabolic alkalosis. ‘Bicarb = Base’: Regulates acid-base, 22-28.
What is the reference range for Magnesium (Mg2+)?
1.5-2.0 mEq/L
Low in malnutrition; high in renal failure. ‘Magnesium = Muscle Helper’: 1.5-2.0 for muscle function.
What is the reference range for Creatinine (serum)?
0.6-1.2 mg/dL
Elevated in kidney dysfunction; low in muscle wasting. ‘Creatinine = Kidney’s Credit’: Reflects kidney filtration.
What is the reference range for Hemoglobin (male)?
13.5-17.5 g/dL
Low in anemia; high in polycythemia. ‘Men = 13-17’: Hemoglobin range for males.
What is the reference range for Hemoglobin (female)?
12.0-16.0 g/dL
Low in anemia; high in polycythemia. ‘Women = 12-16’: Hemoglobin range for females.
What is the reference range for pH (arterial)?
7.35-7.45
Acidosis (<7.35); alkalosis (>7.45). ‘pH Perfect = 7.35-7.45’: Normal pH range.
What is the reference range for pCO2 (arterial)?
33-45 mm Hg
Hypocapnia in hyperventilation; hypercapnia in COPD. ‘CO2 = 33-45’: Typical arterial CO2 levels.
What is the reference range for pO2 (arterial)?
75-105 mm Hg
Hypoxemia in respiratory failure. ‘Oxygen Optimal’: Normal arterial oxygen 75-105.
Cholesterol (Total) reference range
<200 mg/dL
Elevated levels increase cardiovascular risk. ‘Cholesterol <200 to Stay Alive’: Keep it below 200.
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) reference range
40-60 mg/dL
Protective against cardiovascular disease when high. ‘H = Healthy HDL’: Higher levels are better (40-60).
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) reference range
<160 mg/dL
Elevated levels increase cardiovascular risk or genetic conditions. ‘L = Lousy LDL’: Lower levels are better (<160).
Triglycerides reference range
<150 mg/dL
Elevated in metabolic syndrome or obesity. ‘Tricky Triglycerides <150’: Keep them below 150.
Urea nitrogen (BUN) reference range
7-18 mg/dL
Elevated in kidney dysfunction or dehydration. ‘BUN = Bad Urea Numbers’: Elevated in kidney dysfunction.
Ferritin (Male) reference range
20-250 ng/mL
Elevated in iron overload; low in iron deficiency. ‘Ferritin = Iron Fort’: Storage indicator of iron levels.
Ferritin (Female) reference range
10-120 ng/mL
Elevated in iron overload; low in iron deficiency anemia. ‘Female Ferritin = Lower Iron Stores’: 10-120 ng/mL in females.
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) reference range
45-200 U/L
Elevated in hemolysis, cancer, or tissue damage. ‘LDH = Last Damage Here’: Elevated in tissue damage or hemolysis.
Transferrin reference range
200-360 mg/dL
Low in malnutrition or inflammation; high in iron deficiency. ‘Transferrin Transfers Iron’: Low in inflammation; high in deficiency.
Thyroxine (T4) reference range
5-12 µg/dL
Low in hypothyroidism; high in hyperthyroidism. ‘T4 = Thyroid’s Tank’: High in hyperthyroidism; low in hypothyroidism.
Free T4 reference range
0.9-1.7 ng/dL
Low in hypothyroidism; high in hyperthyroidism. ‘Free T4 = Active Thyroid Hormone’: Same trend as T4.
Triiodothyronine (T3) reference range
100-200 ng/dL
Low in hypothyroidism; high in hyperthyroidism. ‘T3 = Triiodothyronine’: Elevated in hyperthyroidism; decreased in hypo.
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) reference range
0.4-4.0 µU/mL
Elevated in hypothyroidism; low in hyperthyroidism. ‘TSH = Thyroid Switch’: High in hypothyroidism; low in hyperthyroidism.
Albumin reference range
3.5-5.5 g/dL
Low in malnutrition or chronic disease; high in dehydration. ‘Albumin = Blood Sponge’: Low in chronic disease or malnutrition. Perfered over transferin for nutritional status.
Globulin reference range
2.3-3.5 g/dL
Low in malnutrition or chronic disease; high in dehydration. ‘Globulin = Immune Glue’: Reflects immune and chronic disease states.
Total Protein reference range
6.0-7.8 g/dL
Low in malnutrition; high in chronic inflammation or dehydration. ‘Total Protein = Nutrition or Inflammation Check’: Combination of albumin and globulin.
