Metabolic Panel

Question 1

Glucose

Answer 1

70-100 mg/dL if fasting
<120 mg/dL 2h postprandial

When you think of glucose, think of energy.
Our energy starts to decline during our elderly years, especially when we are 70-100 years old.

Question 2

Calcium

Answer 2

8.5 -10.5 mg/L

A gallon of milk weighs about 8.5 pounds.
Then think of 2% milk to help you remember to add 2 to the 8.5.

Question 3

Chloride

Answer 3

95–105 mEq/L

When you think of chloride, think of chlorine in a hot tub.
The average temperature of a hot tub is 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Question 4

Magnesium

Answer 4

1.5–2.5 mg/dL

Question 5

Phosphorus

Answer 5

2.5–4.5 mg/dL

Question 6

Potassium

Answer 6

3.5–5 mEq/L

When you think of potassium, think of bananas.
There are usually 3-5 bananas in a bunch, and you want to buy them 1/2 off if you can.

Question 7

Sodium

Answer 7

135-145 mEq/L

Then combine the first 3 odd numbers which are 1, 3, and 5.
This will give you 135 which is the lower end of normal.
Simply add 10, and this will give you the normal range of 135-145 mEq/L.

Question 8

BUN

Answer 8

5-20

Use the word “bun” to think of bunion.
Bunions are typically located on the toes or digits, and we have 5 digits per extremity which totals 20 digits.

Question 9

Serum creatinine

Answer 9

0.6–1.2 mg/dL

Use the word “nine” in creatinine to remember 0.9.
0.9 is right in the middle of normal, and this will help you remember the normal range of 0.6-1.2 mg/dL.

Question 10

Total protein

Answer 10

6.2–8.2 g/dL

Question 11

Albumin

Answer 11

3.5–5.5 g/dL

When you think of albumin, think of protein or a protein shake.
There are usually 3-5 ingredients in a protein shake, especially if making a homemade one.

Question 12

Bilirubin

Answer 12

0.1-1 mg/dL

Question 13

ALP (alkaline phosphatase)

Answer 13

40-120 U/L

When you think of phosphatase, think of phosphate.
Then use the “ate” (eight) in phosphate to remember 80 (eight-y).
80 is right in the middle of normal, and this will help you remember the normal range of 40-120 U/L.

Question 14

ALT (alanine transaminase)

Answer 14

7-56 U/L

We are going to use the “L” in ALT to remember labor (work).
An average work day is longer than a school day, and it may begin at 7am and finish at 6pm.
This will help you remember the normal range for ALT is about 7-60 U/L.

Question 15

AST (aspartate transaminase)

Answer 15

10-40 U/L

Use the “S” to remember School.
An average school day is from 9am-4pm.
This will help you remember the normal range for AST is 9-40 U/L.
Another way to think of AST is to use the 9am start time for school, and then an average school week is about 40 hours when you factor in homework.

Question 16

Bicarbonate

Answer 16

23-29

When you think of bicarbonate, think of carbonation and soda.
Soda is usually sold in a 12 pack.
However, it’s bicarbonate so we need to multiply the 12 by 2 (BI = 2).

This gives us 24, which will help us remember the normal range of 23-29 mEq/L.