Lab Values High/Low causes Flashcards by Hillary Gonzalez

RBCs (Red Blood Cells) – Erythrocyte Count
Purpose of test?

To check oxygen levels/cell-carrying capacity in blood

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Low/High erythrocyte count

Low value = anemia, hemorrhage (excessive bleeding)
High value = polycythemia

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WBCs (white Blood Cells)
Purpose of test

To assess the body’s ability to respond to & fight infection, determine presence of infection or response to treatment

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WBC high/low caused by?

High values = infection, inflammation
Low values = aplastic anemia, chemotherapy effects, leukemia, HIV

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Platelets
Purpose of test

assess clotting mechanisms of body, check platelet count

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causes of low/high platelets values?

Low value = uncontrolled bleeding (thrombocytopenia)
High value = clotting, hardening of arteries (arthrosclerosis)

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Hemoglobin (Hgb)
Purpose of test:

measure amount of Hgb (protein in RBCs that carries O2) in blood

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causes of low/high Hgb

Low value = anemia, hemorrhage, fluid retention
High value = polycythemia, dehydration

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Hematocrit
Purpose of test:

measure packed cell volume (percentage)

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hematocrit high/low caused by

High & Low values for same reasons as Hgb
Low value = anemia, hemorrhage, fluid retention
High value = polycythemia, dehydration

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TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
Purpose of test

: to monitor thyroid function

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TSH Low Value Causes and meaning

= hyperthyroidism, too much medication, normal in first trimester of pregnancy

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TSH High value causes and meaning

= hypothyroidism, not enough medication, pitiutary gland tumor

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Blood Glucose
Low vs High value

Low Value = hypoglycemia
High value = hyperglycemia

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Cholesterol Panel
Purpose of test:

to obtain a lipoprotein profile

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LDL vs HDL

LDL (bad cholesterol) ideally below 100
HDL (good cholesterol) above* 45 or 50

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What does a high value of total lipoprotein (excluding HDL) create a risk of?

increases risk of heart disease
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PT/INR (Prothrombin Time, International Normalized Ratio)
Purpose of test:

to measure how long it takes blood to clot; check for bleeding problems

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What is INR? how do you calculate INR?

INR is used to standardize PT test results
INR = Patient PT result ÷ normal PT value

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what does a long bleeding time PT
INR indicate

lack of or low level of one or more clotting factors;
lack of Vitamin K
liver disease/injury
DIC- (causes abnormal blood clotting)

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BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
Purpose of test:

measures amount of nitrogen in blood from waste products; assess renal function

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High value BUN caused by

kidney injury/disease (usually secondary to disease process), blockage of urinary tract,
Heart failure
dehydration

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Low value BUN caused by

low protein diet, (Nitrogen is found in amino acids)
malnutrition,
severe liver damage
overhydration-dilutes

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Creatinine
Purpose of test:

measures level of waste product creatinine in blood, assess renal function

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Low creatine?

Low value: low muscle mass (secondary to disease or aging), severe liver disease, very low protein diet

High creatine?

kidney injury/disease (usually secondary to disease process), blockage of urinary tract, dehydration, heart failure - same as BUN, excessive blood loss, muscle disorders

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) Purpose of test:

liver function test, measures amount of ALT in blood to identify liver damage/disease

high value ALT?

:recent or severe liver damage, hepatitis, necrosis, shock, cirrhosis, alcohol abuse, acetaminophen overdose

AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Purpose of test:

liver function test, measures amount of AST in blood to identify liver damage/disease

high value AST?

:recent or severe liver damage, hepatitis, necrosis, shock, cirrhosis, alcohol abuse, acetaminophen overdose (same as ALT)

Total Serum Protein test includes

(includes Albumin & Globulin)

Albumin Purpose of test

liver function test to determine amount of protein albumin in blood

High albumin caused by

High value: severe dehydration

low albumin caused by

Low value: malnutrition, kidney or liver disease, inflammation

Globulin Purpose of test

liver function test to determine amount of protein globulin in blood, helps determine chance of developing infection Alpha 1, Alpha 2, Beta, Gamma

High value globulin caused by

blood diseases, autoimmune disorders, liver or kidney disease

low values of globulin caused by

kidney disorders, hematologic disorders

Sodium Purpose of test

measure amount of sodium in the blood; check water & electrolyte balance of body

High value Na caused by (hypernatremia)

high sodium diet, dehydration, hyperaldosteronism

Low value Na caused by (hyponatremia),

excessive sweating, burns, severe vomiting or diarrhea, malnutrition, underactive adrenal or thyroid gland

(hyperkalemia) high values of Potassium caused by

kidney damage/injury, severe burns, heart attack, excessive supplementation

hypokalemia low values of potassium caused by

high aldosterone levels – adrenal gland dysfunction, Cystic fibrosis, alcohol abuse, diet

High value Ca (hypercalcemia),

hyperparathyroidism, cancer, TB

Low value Ca (hypocalcemia)

hypoparathyroidism, low albumin level, malnutrition

High Mg

dehydration, renal failure, adrenal gland disease (Addison’s disease), hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, too much MOM

Low Mg

alcohol abuse, diabetes complications, hypercalcemia, pancreatitis, kidney disease

High Chlorine Cl

High value: dehydration, high salt diet, kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism

Low Chlorine Cl

Low value: conditions that cause water build-up in the body, Addison’s Disease, heart failure

High phosphate test

High value: kidney disease, hypoparathyroidism, healing fractures

Low phosphate test

Low value: hyperparathyroidism, bone disease, severe malnutrition

BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide) Purpose of test

to measure amount of BNP hormone in the blood, assess for heart failure

High BNP brain natriuretic peptide

High value: heart failure, increased pressure or fluid in the heart

high troponin

High value: Heart muscle injury; levels typically rise 4-6 hours after a heart attack, highest level 12-24 hours after a heart attack

CK-MB (creatinine phosokinase MB), also known as CPK-MB high value

Heart muscle damage caused by heart attack; levels rise within 4-6 hours after heart attack, reach highest levels within 12-24 hours

high specific gravity

High value: dehydration, diuretic use, kidney disease

low specific gravity

Low value: overhydration, sugar or protein present

causes of high vs low pH of urine

High value: metabolic or respiratory alkalosis Low value: metabolic or respiratory acidosis

protein above expected amount in the urine indicates

If present: kidney damage, HTN, pregnancy, infection

glucose in urine

If present: uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease

ketones in urine

If present: uncontrolled diabetes, alcoholism, low CHO diet

RBC WBC nitrites

UTi