CBC Lab Values

These values can clinicians understand the presence of blood loss, anemia, infection or medication overdose

RBC 4.5 to 5.5 million cells

WBC 5,000 to 10,000 cells
Hemoglobin 12.0 to 16.0 g/dL (women)

13.5 to 17.5 g/dL (men)

Hematocrit 36 to 46% (women)
It is the proportion, by volume, of blood that consists of RBCs.
Example, if Hct is 25%, it means that there is 25 mL of RBCs in 100 41 to 53% (men)
mL of blood

Low Hct is due to: loss of blood, nutritional deficiency (iron,

Vitamin B12 , Folate), bone marrow problems, suppression by
chemotherapy drugs, kidney problems, sickle cell anemia

High Hct is due to: people living in high altitudes, chronic smokers,
dehydration, polycythemia

(Source: https://www.medicinenet.com/hematocrit/article.htm)
Platelet 150,000 to 400,000 platelets

Metabolic Panel Lab Values

Often used to evaluate a client’s fluids, electrolytes, glucose, renal function and liver function

Sodium 135 to 145 mEq/L

Potassium 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L
Calcium 8.4 to 10.2 mg/dL
Phosphorus 3.0 to 4.5 mg/dL
Magnesium 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
Chloride 95 to 105 mEq/L
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) 5 to 20
It shows how well the kidneys are working. High levels than normal
suggest that the kidneys might not be working properly

(Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/blood-urea-
nitrogen/about/pac-20384821)

Serum creatinine 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL

A creatinine test measures how well the kidneys are filtering
wastes from the blood. Creatinine is a chemical compound left-
over from the energy-producing processes in the muscles. Healthy
kidneys filter creatinine out of the blood and exits the body in urine

Uses: diagnose kidney disease, screen for kidney disease in those

with diabetes, hypertension or others that increases the risk of
kidney disease; and to monitor side effects of drugs that may
damage the kidneys

(Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/creatinine-
test/about/pac-20384646)

Bilirubin 0.1 to 1.0 mg/dL

Glucose

A1C Test: measures the average blood sugar level over the past 2 A1C Test:
or 3 months Normal: less than 5.7%
Prediabetes: between 5.7% to 6%
Diabetes: more than 6.5%

Fasting Blood Sugar Test: measures blood sugar after an overnight Fasting Blood Sugar Test (FBS):
fast of at least 8 hrs Normal: 99 mg/dL or below
Prediabetes: 100 to 125 mg/dL
Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or above

Glucose Tolerance Test: measures blood sugar before and after you Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT):
drink a liquid that contains glucose. Fasting overnight before the At 2hrs,
test is needed and blood is drawn for the FBS test, then drink the Normal: 140 mg/dL or below
glucose liquid so that blood sugar level is checked after 1 hr, 2 hrs Prediabetes: 140 to 199 mg/dL
and 3 hrs. Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or above

(Source: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/getting-tested.html)

Liver Function tests

Liver function tests, also referred to as hepatic panel, are groups of blood tests that provide information about
the state of a patient’s liver

ALP 40 to 120 U/L

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found throughout the
body but is mostly found in the liver, bones, kidneys and digestive
system. When the liver is damaged, ALP may leak into the
bloodstream

Other names: ALK, PHOS, ALK PHOS

High levels of ALP: may indicate liver disease or bone disorders

(Source: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/alkaline-phosphatase/)

ALT 7 to 56 U/L
Specific to liver disorders. Increases primarily in liver disorders and
may be used to monitor the course of hepatitis, cirrhosis or the
effects of medications that may be toxic to the liver

AST 10 to 40 U/L
NOT specific in diagnosing liver disease but may be increased in
cirrhosis, hepatitis and liver cancer. Level may be increased if there
is damage to or death of tissues of organs such as the heart, liver,
skeletal muscle and the kidney

GGT or GGTP 0 to 30 U/L

NOT specific in diagnosing liver disease. GGT is an enzyme found
throughout the body but is mostly found in the liver. When the
liver is damaged, GGT may leak into the bloodstream

High levels of GGT: a sign of liver disease or damage to the bile

ducts

(Source: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/gamma-glutamyl-
transferase-ggt-test/)

Pigment Studies
These studies measure the ability of the liver to conjugate and excrete bilirubin. Results are abnormal in liver and
biliary tract disease and are associated with jaundice clinically

Direct serum bilirubin (or Conjugated bilirubin) 0.1 to 0.4 mg/dL

Bilirubin is a substance made when the body breaks down old
RBCs. Small amount in the blood is normal.

Some bilirubin is bound to albumin in the blood, thus called

unconjugated or indirect bilirubin (it is insoluble in water and can
only travel in the bloodstream if bound to albumin and cannot be
directly excreted from the body).

Conjugated bilirubin is water soluble and can be excreted from the

body

(Source:
https://teachmephysiology.com/gastrointestinal-system/liver/biliru
bin-metabolism/)

Total serum bilirubin 0.3 to 1 mg/dL

Urine bilirubin Less than 0.25 mg/24 hr

Prothrombin Time (PT) 12 to 16 seconds

Prolonged in liver disease. It will not return to normal with Vitamin
K in severe liver cell damage

International Normalised Ratio (INR) On Warfarin: 2.0 to 3.0

It is a type of calculation based on PT test results. INR is a
standardised number calculated in the lab to make sure all labs NOT on Warfarin: 0.8 to 1.2
across the world are standardised (not much difference despite
differing usage of chemicals to check PT test)

Protein Studies
Proteins are manufactured by the liver. Their levels may be affected in a variety of liver impairments: album is
affected in cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, edema and ascites; globulins are affected in cirrhosis, liver disease, chronic
obstructive jaundice and viral hepatitis

Total serum protein 7 to 7.5 g/dL

Serum albumin 3.5 to 5.5 g/dL
This is used to measure the albumin present in blood.

Low albumin level = caused by malnourishment, liver disease or an

inflammatory disease

Low albumin level S/S:

- Excess protein in urine
- Edema
- Fatigue
- Vomiting, diarrhea and nausea

High albumin level = caused by acute infections, burns and stress

(from surgery or heart attack)

High albumin level S/S:

- Jaundice
- Fatigue
- Tenderness/pain below the right ribs

(Source:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322403#preparation)

Serum globulin 2.3 to 3.5 g/dL

A group of proteins in the blood made in the liver by the immune
system. Plays an important role in liver function, blood clotting and
fighting against infection.

There are 4 types of globulins: alpha 1, alpha 2, beta and gamma

This test can be used to diagnose a variety of conditions including:

liver damage or disease, kidney disease, nutritional problems,
autoimmune disorders and certain types of cancer

(Source: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/globulin-test/)
Albumin 4 to 6 g/dL
Blood protein that is made by the liver. Serum albumin test
measures the amount of this protein only in the plasma but this
test also counts the albumin from the liver

(Remember that the protein part in the plasma has: Albumins,

Fibrinogen and Globulins)

Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase (LDH) 100 to 200 units (100 to 225 U/L)
It is an enzyme that plays a role in producing (body) energy. Found
in almost all body tissues like in the blood, heart, kidneys, brain and
lungs. Tissue damage can cause LDH to release into the
bloodstream and increase its levels.

Conditions that cause increased LDH in the blood include: liver

disease, heart attack, anemia, muscle trauma, bone fractures,
cancers and infections (like meningitis, encephalitis and HIV)

(Source: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/test-ldh.html)

Ammonia (plasma) 15 to 45 mcg/dL

Liver converts ammonia to urea. Ammonia level rises in liver failure

Lipid Panel Lab Values

Lipid panels are a key part of ambulatory care when the goal is to establish adequate lipid levels to reduce the risk
of clients having a serious atherosclerotic disease such as heart disease and stroke. Something key to note is that
HDL values are better when higher while the other values should be lower

HDL Males: 35 to 70 mg/dL

Female: 35 to 85 mg/dL
LDL Less than 130 mcg/dL
Triglycerides (TGs) Less than 90 mmol/L in adults
Total cholesterol Less than 170 mmol/L

Biomarkers of Inflammation:

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Plasma Viscosity (PV)