Lab Values

Question 1

What is the reference range for Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)?

Answer 1

10-40 U/L

Elevated in liver damage or hepatitis. ‘A Little Trouble’ (ALT): Think liver issues.

Question 2

What is the reference range for Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)?

Answer 2

12-38 U/L

Elevated in liver or muscle damage (e.g., myocardial infarction). ‘Alcoholic STeve’ (AST): Alcohol-related liver damage.

Question 3

What is the reference range for Alkaline phosphatase?

Answer 3

25-100 U/L

Elevated in cholestasis or bone disorders. ‘Alk Phos = Alkaline Bones’: High in bone growth or liver obstruction.

Question 4

What is the reference range for Amylase?

Answer 4

25-125 U/L

Elevated in pancreatitis or salivary gland disorders. ‘Amy loves Pancreas’: High in pancreatitis.

Question 5

What is the reference range for Total Bilirubin?

Answer 5

0.1-1.0 mg/dL

Elevated in liver dysfunction or hemolysis. ‘Billy is Yellow’: Bilirubin links to jaundice.

Question 6

What is the reference range for Direct Bilirubin?

Answer 6

0.0-0.3 mg/dL

Elevated in obstructive jaundice. Direct = ‘Duct Obstruction’: Obstructive jaundice.

Question 7

What is the reference range for Calcium (serum)?

Answer 7

8.4-10.2 mg/dL

Hypocalcemia seen in hypoparathyroidism; hypercalcemia in malignancies. ‘Call 9-10 for Calcium’: Range 8.4-10.2.

Question 8

What is the reference range for Sodium (Na+)?

Answer 8

136-146 mEq/L

Hyponatremia in SIADH; hypernatremia in dehydration. ‘Sodium = Salt’: Normal salt levels 136-146.

Question 9

What is the reference range for Potassium (K+)?

Answer 9

3.5-5.0 mEq/L

Hypokalemia in diuretics use; hyperkalemia in renal failure. ‘Potassium = Pump’: 3.5-5.0 keeps heart pumping.

Question 10

What is the reference range for Chloride (Cl-)?

Answer 10

95-105 mEq/L

Hypochloremia in metabolic alkalosis; hyperchloremia in metabolic acidosis. ‘Chloride = Cool Pool’: 95-105 for balance.

Question 11

What is the reference range for Bicarbonate (HCO3-)?

Answer 11

22-28 mEq/L

Decreased in metabolic acidosis; increased in metabolic alkalosis. ‘Bicarb = Base’: Regulates acid-base, 22-28.

Question 12

What is the reference range for Magnesium (Mg2+)?

Answer 12

1.5-2.0 mEq/L

Low in malnutrition; high in renal failure. ‘Magnesium = Muscle Helper’: 1.5-2.0 for muscle function.

Question 13

What is the reference range for Creatinine (serum)?

Answer 13

0.6-1.2 mg/dL

Elevated in kidney dysfunction; low in muscle wasting. ‘Creatinine = Kidney’s Credit’: Reflects kidney filtration.

Question 14

What is the reference range for Hemoglobin (male)?

Answer 14

13.5-17.5 g/dL

Low in anemia; high in polycythemia. ‘Men = 13-17’: Hemoglobin range for males.

Question 15

What is the reference range for Hemoglobin (female)?

Answer 15

12.0-16.0 g/dL

Low in anemia; high in polycythemia. ‘Women = 12-16’: Hemoglobin range for females.

Question 16

What is the reference range for pH (arterial)?

Answer 16

7.35-7.45

Acidosis (<7.35); alkalosis (>7.45). ‘pH Perfect = 7.35-7.45’: Normal pH range.

Question 17

What is the reference range for pCO2 (arterial)?

Answer 17

33-45 mm Hg

Hypocapnia in hyperventilation; hypercapnia in COPD. ‘CO2 = 33-45’: Typical arterial CO2 levels.

Question 18

What is the reference range for pO2 (arterial)?

Answer 18

75-105 mm Hg

Hypoxemia in respiratory failure. ‘Oxygen Optimal’: Normal arterial oxygen 75-105.

Question 19

Cholesterol (Total) reference range

Answer 19

<200 mg/dL

Elevated levels increase cardiovascular risk. ‘Cholesterol <200 to Stay Alive’: Keep it below 200.

Question 20

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) reference range

Answer 20

40-60 mg/dL

Protective against cardiovascular disease when high. ‘H = Healthy HDL’: Higher levels are better (40-60).

Question 21

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) reference range

Answer 21

<160 mg/dL

Elevated levels increase cardiovascular risk or genetic conditions. ‘L = Lousy LDL’: Lower levels are better (<160).

Question 22

Triglycerides reference range

Answer 22

<150 mg/dL

Elevated in metabolic syndrome or obesity. ‘Tricky Triglycerides <150’: Keep them below 150.

Question 23

Urea nitrogen (BUN) reference range

Answer 23

7-18 mg/dL

Elevated in kidney dysfunction or dehydration. ‘BUN = Bad Urea Numbers’: Elevated in kidney dysfunction.

Question 24

Ferritin (Male) reference range

Answer 24

20-250 ng/mL

Elevated in iron overload; low in iron deficiency. ‘Ferritin = Iron Fort’: Storage indicator of iron levels.

Question 25

Ferritin (Female) reference range

Answer 25

10-120 ng/mL

Elevated in iron overload; low in iron deficiency anemia. ‘Female Ferritin = Lower Iron Stores’: 10-120 ng/mL in females.

Question 26

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) reference range

Answer 26

45-200 U/L

Elevated in hemolysis, cancer, or tissue damage. ‘LDH = Last Damage Here’: Elevated in tissue damage or hemolysis.

Question 27

Transferrin reference range

Answer 27

200-360 mg/dL

Low in malnutrition or inflammation; high in iron deficiency. ‘Transferrin Transfers Iron’: Low in inflammation; high in deficiency.

Question 28

Thyroxine (T4) reference range

Answer 28

5-12 µg/dL

Low in hypothyroidism; high in hyperthyroidism. ‘T4 = Thyroid’s Tank’: High in hyperthyroidism; low in hypothyroidism.

Question 29

Free T4 reference range

Answer 29

0.9-1.7 ng/dL

Low in hypothyroidism; high in hyperthyroidism. ‘Free T4 = Active Thyroid Hormone’: Same trend as T4.

Question 30

Triiodothyronine (T3) reference range

Answer 30

100-200 ng/dL

Low in hypothyroidism; high in hyperthyroidism. ‘T3 = Triiodothyronine’: Elevated in hyperthyroidism; decreased in hypo.

Question 31

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) reference range

Answer 31

0.4-4.0 µU/mL

Elevated in hypothyroidism; low in hyperthyroidism. ‘TSH = Thyroid Switch’: High in hypothyroidism; low in hyperthyroidism.

Question 32

Albumin reference range

Answer 32

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.

Question 33

Globulin reference range

Answer 33

2.3-3.5 g/dL

Low in malnutrition or chronic disease; high in dehydration. ‘Globulin = Immune Glue’: Reflects immune and chronic disease states.

Question 34

Total Protein reference range

Answer 34

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.