Blood Analysis Reference Table

From the book:ANABOLIC STEROIDS-A QUESTION OF MUSCLE-
PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS (By Michael Scally)

Test	Reference Range
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT, SGPT) Levels are extremely increased in cases of liver cell necrosis of any cause, right heart failure, acute anoxia, extensive trauma, or left heart failure. A slightly high level may indicate cirrhosis, obstructive jaundice, liver tumors, extensive myocardial infarction, myositis, muscular dystrophy, fatty liver, chronic alcohol abuse, or severe pancreatitis. Levels will by low in cases of pyridoxal phosphate deficiency
Female	7-30 U/liter
Male	10-55 U/liter
Albumin There is no naturally occurring hyperalbuminemia. Any condition that results in the decrease of plasma water will increase the concentration of all plasma proteins, including albumin. Low concentrations of blood albumin may be due to acute and chronic inflammation, decreased synthesis by the liver, increased loss via body surfaces, increased catabolism, or increased blood volume. *albumin is the principal oncotically active component of plasma. As the major plasma protein, albumin acts as a nitrogen pool. Its role in transporting bilirubin, bile acids, metal ions, and drugs will be markedly affected by variations in concentrations.	3.1-4.3 g/dl
Alkaline phosphatase (adult) Origins of the major phosphatases are liver, bone, intestine, endometrium, and lung. Ingestion of a meal increases the intestinal isoenzyme of alp in serum, especially in individuals who are blood type o or b and who are Lewis-positive secretors. Increased levels of alp may indicate increased bone metabolism (during healing of fracture, primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism, osteomalacia, or juvenile rickets). May also indicate bone disease, renal disease, or liver disease. Low levels may indicate hypothyroidism, scurvy, gross anemia, vitamin b12 deficiency or nutritional deficiency of zinc or magnesium.
Female	30-100 U/liter
Male	45-115 U/liter
Androstenedione (adult) Androstenedione is a major precursor in the biosynthesis of androgens and estrogens.  It is produced in adrenals and gonads and serves as prohormone for testosterone and estrone. The test is useful in conjunction with other tests in the evaluation and management of androgen disorders	50-250 ng/dl
Aspartate aminotransferase  (AST, SGOT) Increased levels may indicate liver cell necrosis or injury of any cause, including cholestatic and obstructive jaundice, chronic hepatitis, or drug-induced injury to liver. May also be associated with hepatic metastases and hepatoma, necrosis or trauma to heart or skeletal muscle, inflammatory disease of heart or skeletal muscle, heart failure, Forbes's disease, heat stroke, hypothyroidism, intestinal obstruction, lactate acidosis, or toxic shock syndrome. Also distinguishes neonatal hepatitis from biliary atresia.
Female	9-25 U/liter
Male	10-40 U/liter
Bilirubin, direct High serum blood levels are associated with intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary tree obstruction, hepatocellular damage, cholestasis, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, or rotor's syndrome.	0.0-0.4 mg/dl
Bilirubin, total High serum levels may indicate hepatocellular damage (inflammatory, toxic, neoplastic), intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary tree obstruction, hemolytic diseases, fructose intolerance, hypothyroidism or neonatal physiological jaundice	0.0-1.0 mg/dl
Calcium High blood calcium levels may indicate primary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism, malignant disease with bone involvement (in particular metastatic carcinoma of the breast, lung, kidney, multiple myeloma, lymphomas, and leukemia), vitamin d intoxication, milk-alkali syndrome, Paget's disease with immobilization, thyrotoxicosis, acromegaly, diuretic phase of acute tubular necrosis or dehydration. Low levels of calcium may indicate hypoparathyroidism; vitamin d deficiency, chronic renal failure, magnesium deficiency, prolonged anticonvulsant therapy, acute pancreatitis, anterior pituitary hypofunction, hypoalbuminemia, or inadequate nutrition.	8.5-10.5 mg/dl
Carbon dioxide content, total High levels may indicate respiratory acidosis caused by poor gas exchange or depression of respiratory center; generalized respiratory disease; metabolic acidosis (after severe vomiting in pyloric stenosis, hypokalemic states, or excessive alkali intake). Low levels may indicate compensated respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis in diabetes mellitus, renal glomerular or tubular failure, renal tubular acidosis and intestinal loss of alkali with coexisting increase in c1 and normal anion gap	24-30 mmol/liter
Chloride High chloride levels may be attributed to dehydration, renal tubular acidosis, acute renal failure, diabetes insipidus, metabolic acidosis associated with prolonged diarrhea with loss of nahco3, respiratory alkalosis, and some cases of primary hyperparathyroidism. Low serum chloride levels may be due to excessive sweating, prolonged vomiting from any cause or gastric suction, persistent gastric secretion, salt-losing nephritis, aldosteronism, potassium depletion associated with alkalosis, respiratory acidosis	100-108 mmol/liter
Cholesterol High total cholesterol levels may indicate familial or polygenic hyperlipoproteinemia types IIa and IIb, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoproteinemias secondary to hepatocellular disease, intra- and extrahepatic cholestasis, chronic renal failure, malignant neoplasms of pancreas and prostate, hypothyroidism, gout, ischemic heart disease, pregnancy, diabetes, alcoholism, analbuminemia, dysglobulinemia, anorexia nervosa, idiopathic hypercalcemia, acute intermittent porphyria, or isolated hgh deficiency. Low levels may be associated with lipoprotein deficiency, hepatocellular necrosis, malignant neoplasm of liver, hyperthyroidism, malabsorption, malnutrition, megaloblastic anemias, chronic obstructive lung disease, mental retardation, rheumatoid arthritis, or intestinal lymphangiectasia. *secondary disorders that elevate cholesterol levels should be ruled out prior to initiating therapy with cholesterol-lowering drugs. *factors that have variable effects on cholesterol levels in different people include posture before and at time of blood sampling, a recent meal, emotional stress, and menstrual cycle.
Desirable	< 200 mg / dl
Borderline high	200-239 mg/dl
High	> 239 mg/dl
Creatinine High serum or plasma levels may indicate renal function impairment, both acute and chronic; active acromegaly and gigantism, hyperthyroidism, and meat meals	0.6-1.5 mg/dl
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfate (adult) Decreased levels may be associated with increased age in men & women, hyperlipidemia, psychosis, or psoriasis.  Weakly androgenic
Male	10-619 µg/dl
Female
Premenopausal	12-535 µg/dl
Postmenopausal	30-260 µg/dl
Estradiol Estradiol is the most active of endogenous estrogens. The test is of value, together with gonadotropins, in evaluating menstrual and fertility problems in adult females. Measurement is also useful in the evaluation of gynecomastia or feminization states due to estrogen or producing tumors.
Female
Menstruating
Follicular phase	50-145 pg/ml
Midcycle peak	112-443 pg/ml
Luteal phase	50-241 pg/ml
Postmenopausal	< 59  pg / ml
Male	< 50  pg / ml
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) In hypogonadism, FSH and LH levels lower than normal for the patient's age indicate hypothalamic or pituitary problems; higher levels indicate a primary gonadal defect
Female
Menstruating
Follicular phase	3.0-20.0 U/liter
Ovulatory phase	9.0-26.0 U/liter
Luteal phase	1.0-12.0 U/liter
Postmenopausal	18.0-153.0 U/liter
Male	1.0-12.0 U/liter
Globulin High levels may be associated with chronic hepatitis, plasma cell dyscrasias/ lymphoproliferative disorders, cirrhosis, chronic liver diseases, chronic infections or certain autoimmune disorders. Low levels may indicate immune deficiency or suppression or lymphoproliferative disorder. Decreases in all fractions may be seen in bulk loss of proteins into the gut.	2.6-4.1 g/dl
Glucose, fasting Serum glucose levels may be high due to diabetes mellitus, strenuous exercise, increased epinephrine, pancreatic disease or an endocrine disorder. A high serum level may also be related to acute myocardial infarction or severe angina, chronic liver disease, or chronic renal disease.	70-110 mg/dl
(gamma)-Glutamyltransferase (GGT)  Very high levels can be associated with obstructive liver disease and posthepatic obstruction. Moderately high levels may indicate liver disease (inflammation, cirrhosis, space-occupying lesions), infectious mononucleosis, renal transplant, hyperthyroidism, myotonic dystrophy, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, or alcohol-induced liver disease. Low GGT levels will indicate hypothyroidism. *useful marker for pancreatic cancer, prostatic cancer, and hepatoma because levels reflect remission and recurrence.
Male	1-94 U/liter
Female	1-70 U/liter
Growth hormone (resting) Secretion of GH is episodic and pulsatile; highest values occur during periods of deepest sleep. Ability to secrete GH in response to a conventional challenge declines with age. Random levels of GH provide little diagnostic information; GH secretion is best assessed during tests that stimulate or suppress release. Patients with GH-producing pituitary disorders often release GH in response to TRH or GnRH; and patients with suspected GH deficiencies have subnormal responses to stimulation tests (i.e. GH stimulation test after arginine, insulin,  l-dopa, glucagon, propanolol and insulin tolerance test.)	2-5 ng/ml
Hemoglobin A1C Glycated hemoglobin concentration appears to reflect the mean blood glucose concentration over the previous 4-8 wks.  This test, while not useful for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, has been shown to be useful in monitoring its long-term control.  Glycated hemoglobins are increased as a reflection of hyperglycemia during the lifespan of erythrocytes	3.8-6.4%
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as major risk factor Epidemiological studies demonstrate the inverse association between HDL-c levels and the incidence and prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD). It is suggested that for every 5 mg/dl decrease in HDL-c below the mean, the risk of CHD increases 25%. Another approach in assessing CHD risk is to calculate the ratio of HDL-c to either LDL-c or total cholesterol. The following primary disease states can lead to secondary decrease in HDL-c: uncontrolled diabetes, premature coronary heart disease, hepatocellular disorders, cholestasis, nephrotic syndrome, and chronic renal failure.	above 40 mg/dl men  above 50 mg/dl women
Insulin Decreased serum levels indicate inadequately treated type I diabetes mellitus.  High serum levels may indicate insulin overdose, insulin resistance syndromes, or endogenous hyperinsulinemia	2-20 U/ml
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) Extremely high levels may indicate megaloblastic and pernicious anemia, extensive carcinomatosis, viral hepatitis, shock, hypoxia or extreme hyperthermia. Very high levels are associated with cirrhosis, obstructive jaundice, renal diseases, neoplastic diseases, skeletomuscular diseases, or congestive heart failure. Mildly high levels are associated with any cellular injury that results in loss of cytoplasm, myocardial or pulmonary infarction, leukemias, hemolytic anemias, hepatitis (nonviral), sickle cell disease, lymphoma, renal infarction, or acute pancreatitis.	110-210 U/liter
Lipoprotein(a)	0-30 mg/dl
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol LDL encompasses all of the lipoproteins with density greater than 1.006 kg/l and less than or equal to 1.063 kg/l. High levels may indicate primary hyperlipoproteinemia types IIa and IIb; tendon and tuberous xanthomas, corneal arcus, and premature coronary heart disease. The following diseases can lead to secondary elevation of LDL-c: hyperlipoproteinemia secondary to hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, hepatic obstruction, hepatic disease, pregnancy, anorexia nervosa, diabetes, chronic renal failure, and Cushing's syndrome.
Desirable	<130> mg/ dl
Borderline high risk	130-159 mg/dl
High risk	greater than or equal to 160 mg/dl
Iron High serum levels may indicate pernicious, aplastic, and hemolytic anemias; hemochromatosis, acute leukemia, lead poisoning, acute hepatitis, vitamin b6 deficiency, excessive iron supplementation/therapy, repeated transfusions, or nephritis. Low serum iron levels may indicate iron-deficiency anemia, remission of acute and chronic infection, carcinoma, nephrosis, hypothyroidism, or postoperative state. *symptoms of iron poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, cyanosis, lethargy, and convulsions. Levels may vary widely for an individual within the same day or from day to day.	45-180 ug/dL (MALES FEMALES).
Luteinizing hormone (LH) Test used to determine the preovulatory LH surge; also provides an integrated picture of LH secretion throughout the day. Shows pituitary or hypothalamic impairment or overproduction
Female
Menstruating
Follicular phase	2.0-15.0
Ovulatory phase	22-105
Luteal phase	0.6-19
Postmenopausal	16-64
Male	2.0-12.0
Magnesium Mg plays a vital role in glucose metabolism by facilitating the formation of muscle and liver glycogen from blood-borne glucose.  Also participates as a cofactor in the breakdown of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids during energy metabolism.  High serum levels may indicate dehydration, renal insufficiency, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, adrenocortical insufficiency, Addison's disease, hypothyroidism or  lupus erythematosus.  Phytate, fatty acids, and an excess of phosphate impair mg absorption. Symptoms of deficiency usually do not occur until serum levels are  above 1 meq / liter	1.4-2.0 meq/liter
Phosphorus, inorganic (adult) Serum phosphorus concentrations have a circadian rhythm (highest level in late morning, lowest in evening) and are subject to rapid change secondary to environmental factors such as diet (carbohydrate), phosphate-binding antacids, and fluctuations in growth hormone, insulin, and renal function. High levels may indicate osteolytic metastatic bone tumors, myelogenous leukemia, milk-alkali syndrome, vitamin d intoxication, healing fractures, renal   failure, hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus with ketosis, acromegaly, portal cirrhosis, pulmonary embolism, lactic acidosis or respiratory acidosis.	2.6-4.5 mg/dl
Potassium High potassium levels are associated with reduced renal excretion of potassium or redistribution of potassium in the body (i.e. Massive hemolysis, severe tissue damage, severe acute starvation-anorexia nervosa, hyperkinetic activity, malignant hyperpyrexia following anesthesia, hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, and dehydration).	3.4-4.8 mmol/liter
Progesterone The diagnostic value of this test lies in its detection of ovulation and in the evaluation of the function of the corpus luteum.  Serial sampling during the menstrual cycle is required.  During menopause, levels drop to 0
Female
Follicular phase	< 1 ng / ml
Midluteal phase	3-20 ng/ml
Male	< 1 ng / ml
Prolactin May help assess Prolactin reserve and abnormal Prolactin secretion by the pituitary. May indicate pituitary tumors.
Female
Premenopausal	0-20 ng/ml
Postmenopausal	0-15 ng/ml
Male	0-15 ng/ml
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) PSA is prostate-tissue specific, not prostate-cancer specific. Used for early detection of the recurrence of prostatic cancer. The test is of great value as a marker in the follow-up of patients at high risk for disease progression. PSA values increase with age.
Female	0
Male
less than 40 years of age	0.0-2.0 ng/ml
greater than or equal to 40 yr old	0.0-4.0 ng/ml
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), free, in males 45-75 yr old, with PSA values between 4 and 20 ng/ml	above 25% associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Protein, total High blood levels may be associated with anabolic steroid use, androgens, corticosteroids, coritcotropin, epinephrine, insulin, progesterone, or thyroid preparations. Severe protein deficiency, chronic liver disease, malabsorption syndrome, and malnutrition may also lead to abnormal levels. Serum total protein decreases in the third trimester of pregnancy.	6.0-8.0 g/dl
Sodium High serum levels are associated with water loss in excess of salt through skin, lungs, GI tract, and kidneys. Also may indicate increased renal sodium conservation in hyperaldosteronism, Cushing's syndrome or disease, inadequate water intake because of inadequate thirst mechanism, dehydration, or excessive saline therapy. Low sodium levels may indicate low sodium intake, sodium losses due to vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating with adequate water intake and inadequate salt replacement, diuretics abuse, or salt-losing nephropathy	135-145 mmol/liter
Somatomedin C (Insulin-like growth factor I) Blood concentrations of IGF-1 are constant during the day and after eating. In acromegaly, the test may serve as an indicator of the severity of the disease; serial determinations may be used to monitor efficacy of treatment. In dwarfism IGF-1 may be used to determine the response to GH therapy. Concentrations of IGF-1 rise during the first year of life, reaching the highest values in preadolescent or early adolescent years. Normal values tend to decline progressively until age 50
16-24 yr	182-780 ng/ml
25-39 yr	114-492 ng/ml
40-54 yr	90-360 ng/ml
> 54 yr	71-290 ng/ml
Testosterone, total (morning sample) This test is a measure of total circulating testosterone, both protein bound and free. In adult men, serum levels peak in the early morning, decreasing 25% to the evening minimum. Levels increase after exercise and decrease after immobilization and after glucose load. Progressive decreases begin after age 50
Female	6-86 ng/dl
Male	270-1070 ng/dl
Testosterone, unbound (morning sample) Free (nonprotein-bound) testosterone is independent of changes in concentrations of the principal testosterone transport protein, sex hormone-binding globulin.
Female
20-40 yr	0.6-3.1 pg/ml
41-60 yr	0.4-2.5 pg/ml
61-80 yr	0.2-2.0 pg/ml
Male
20-40 yr	15.0-40.0 pg/ml
41-60 yr	13.0-35.0 pg/ml
61-80 yr	12.0-28.0 pg/ml
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) First-line test for hyper- and hypothyroidism. Test is considered by some to be the preferred screening test for evaluation of thyrometabolic states. Moderately high TSH is often found in euthyroid patients during treatment of hyperthyroidism.	0.5-5.0 U/ml
Thyroxine, total (T4) Used in conjunction with other tests to measure thryoid function.  T4 testing is frequently used when TSH levels are abnormally high or low.  In hypothyroidism, total serum t4 falls before t3. High serum levels may represent hyperthyroidism.	4.5-10.9 g/dl
Transferrin Transferrin is the major plasma transport protein for iron.  High serum levels may indicate iron deficiency (high levels often precede the appearance of anemia by days to months).  Serum ferritin levels fall with iron deficiency and with generalized malnutrition but remain normal in the presence of inflammation and iron deficiency	191-365 mg/dl
Triglycerides (fasting) Increased triglyceride levels indicate hyperlipoproteinemia types I, IIb, III, IV, and V due to familial or sporadic endogenous hypertriglyceridemia. The following primary disease states or conditions can lead to secondary elevation of triglycerides: obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, viral hepatitis, alcoholism, alcoholic cirrhosis, biliary cirrhosis, acute and chronic pancreatitis, extrahepatic biliary obstruction, nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure, essential hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, chronic ischemic heart disease, cerebral thrombosis, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, gout, pregnancy, glycogen storage diseases types I, II, III, and IV, down syndrome, respiratory distress syndrome, Werner's syndrome, anorexia nervosa, or idiopathic hypercalcemia. Low levels of triglycerides may indicate chronic obstructive lung disease, brain infarction, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, lactosuria, malnutrition, malabsorption syndrome, intestinal lymphangiectasia or end-stage parenchymal liver disease.	40-150 mg/dl
Triiodothyronine, total (T3) Used in conjunction with other tests to measure thyroid function.  High serum levels may indicate hyperthyroidism while low levels may indicate hypothyroidism.  At least 80% of circulating T3 is derived from monodeiodination of T4 in peripheral tissues.  T3 is 4 to 5 times more potent in biological systems than T4	60-181 ng/dl
Urea nitrogen (BUN) (adult) High serum blood levels may indicate impaired kidney function associated with an increase with age or protein content of diet.	8-25 mg/dl
Uric acid High serum levels may indicate gout, renal failure, leukemia, lymphoma, psoriasis, polycythemia, multiple myeloma, kidney disease, and or chronic lead nephropathy. Associated with hyperlipidemia, obesity, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, hypoparathyroidism, acromegaly, and liver disease.
Male	3.6-8.5 mg/dl
Female	2.3-6.6 mg/dl
Differential blood count	Reference Range
Neutrophils	45-75%
Bands	0-5%
Lymphocytes	16-46%
Monocytes	4-11%
Eosinophils	0-8%
Basophils	0-3%
Erythrocyte count Red Blood Cell count; filled with hemoglobin and specialized for carrying O2 and CO2 (adult)
Male	4.50-5.30 X 106/mm3
Female	4.10-5.10 X 106/mm3
Ferritin Surplus iron is stored as Ferritin, primarily in the liver
Male	30-300 ng/ml
Female	10-200 ng/ml
Folate (folic acid) Water soluble vitamin involved with amino acid metabolism & transfer of single-carbon units in nucleic acid
Normal	3.1-17.5 ng/ml
Borderline deficient	2.2-3.0 ng/ml
Deficient	< 2 ng / ml
Excessive	above 17.5 ng/ml
Hematocrit (adult) % of Red Blood Cells present in total blood
Male	37.0-49.0
Female	36.0-46.0
Hemoglobin (adult) Oxygen-carrying compound of blood.  Numerical value of hemoglobin present in Red Blood Cells
Male	13.0-18.0 g/dl
Female	12.0-16.0 g/dl
Iron Constituent of hemoglobin (transport of oxygen in blood) and enzymes involved in energy metabolism	30-160 g/dl
Leukocyte count (WBC) White Blood Cell (WBC); Central to the immune system that defends against infection	4.5-11.0X103/mm3
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) Value is calculated from hemoglobin and erythrocyte count.  MCH= Erc÷Hb	25.0-35.0 pg/cell
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) Mean cell hemoglobin concentration is calculated from Hb and hematocrit (Hct) MCHC=  Hct÷Hb	31.0-37.0 g/dl
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (adult) Mean cell volume may not be reliable when a large number of abnormal erythroctes or a dimorphic population of erythrocytes is present. It may also be calculated from the hematocrit and erythrocyte count MCV= Erc÷Hct
Male	78-100 m3
Female	78-102 m3
Platelet count Helps mediate the blood clotting that prevents loss of blood after injury	150-350X103/mm3
Platelet, mean volume	6.4-11.0 m3