Lab Values

Question 1

Red blood cell count

Answer 1

4.1-5.1

Question 2

WBC count

Answer 2

4,000-11,000

Question 3

WBC Differential

Answer 3

Neutrophils (bacterial) 55-70% (60%)
Lymphocytes (virus) 20-40% (30%)
Monocytes (debris) 6%
Eosinophils (allergens, parasites) 3% 
Basophils (unknown, likely immunologic) 1%

Question 4

Mean Corpuscular Volume

Answer 4

Measures the size of red blood cells. New red blood cells (reticulocytes) are larger and increase the MCV. Normal MCV is 80-100
Microcytic = < 80
Macrocyclic = > 100

Question 5

MCHC

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration

Answer 5

Measures the average concentration of HGB in red blood cells. Provides you with information regarding the color of the cells.
Normochromic 32-37
Hypochromic <32

Question 6

Renal Tests

Answer 6

Albumin 3.4-5.4
BUN (blood urea nitrogen) 6-20 mg/dL
creatinine 0.6-1.3 mg/dL
Total Protein: 6.0-8.3 g/dL

Question 7

Liver Tests

Answer 7

Alkaline phosphatase 20-30 U/L
ALT (alanine aminotransferase) 4-36U/L
AST (aspartate aminotransferase) 8-33U/L
Total Bilirubin 0.1-1.2 mg/dL

Question 8

Electrolytes

Answer 8

Calcium 8.5-10.2mg/dL
Chloride 96-106 mEq/L
CO2 23-29 mEq/L
Glucose 70-100 mg/dL
Potassium 3.7-5.2 mEq/L
Sodium 135-145 mEq/L

Question 9

Lipid Panel

Answer 9

Total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL
LDL < 100 mg/dL
HDL >45 mg/dL
Triglycerides <150 mg/dL

Question 10

Anemia

Answer 10

decrease in the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, or hematocrit

Question 11

Hemoglobin

Answer 11

12-16 g/dL

Question 12

Hematocrit

Answer 12

36-46%

HGB to HCT 3:1

Question 13

Macrocytic/Normochromic

Answer 13

increased MCV, normal MCHC
Occurs in:
Vitamin B12 deficiency, Folate deficiency (if vegan/vegetarian as folate and B12 comes from animal products or if on PPIs, glucophage, or metformin as these can affect absorption of B12), myelodysplastic process, hypothyroidism

Question 14

Normocytic, Normochromic

Answer 14

Anemia of Chronic disease (liver disease, kidney disease, cancer, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), acute blood loss, early iron deficiency

Question 15

Microcytic, Hypochromic

Answer 15

Decreased MCV, decreased MCHC

Iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia, lead poisoning, sideroblastic anemia, aluminum toxicity, G6PD

Question 16

Red Cell distribution width

Answer 16

Normally all red cells are equal in size. RDW is the degree of anisocytosis or variability of the red cell size. Helps to differentiate between various causes of microcytic, hypochromic anemia
Increased RDW=IDA
Normal RDW=anemia of chronic disease
Normal or slightly increased RDW=Thalassemia

Question 17

Reticulocyte Count

Answer 17

The number of new, young, red blood cells found in 100 RBC’s in circulation. It is an index of bone marrow’s health and response to the anemia.

Question 18

Elevated reticulocyte count

Answer 18

means that the bone marrow is health and/or your treatment is working, but blood loss or destruction is likely occurring

Question 19

Important history for anemia

Answer 19

medications, any blood loss, menorrhagia, black/tarry stools, hematuria, hemoptysis, blood donation, family history of anemia, celiac disease, dietary intake, alcohol intake, any chronic disease, any surgeries, gastric bypass)

Question 20

Ferritin

Answer 20

Measurement of iron stores
<16 is diagnostic of IDA
Normal 10-210; can be falsely elevated in the individual with febrile illness, malignancy, liver disease, inflammatory disease

Question 21

Iron

Answer 21

Normal 50-160; amount of circulating iron, low level, couples with an elevated TIBC is suggestive of IDA

Question 22

TIBC

Answer 22

250-350; Number of cells not bound with iron
Higher the iron, lower the TIBC
Lower the iron, higher the TIBC