Interpretation of lab results

New GlobalRPh Laboratory Platform

Go Beyond a Single Laboratory Reference Range

Search individual tests, evaluate an entire laboratory panel, analyze changes over time, compare disease-state patterns, convert units, and calculate frequently used laboratory relationships in one clinician-focused platform.

285 lab profiles 80 disease patterns 56 conversion routes 32 derived tools

Seven integrated laboratory modules

Quick Lab Search Find a test, range, interpretation, and follow-up considerations.
Panel Dashboard Paste multiple results and organize high, low, urgent, and unmatched findings.
Serial Trend Review direction, velocity, percent change, and interval crossings.
Disease Patterns Compare observed findings with common laboratory constellations.
Lab Database Browse the complete clinician-focused laboratory reference library.
Unit Conversion Convert supported conventional and SI laboratory units in either direction.
Derived Tools Use integrated hematology, anemia, renal, lipid, and acid-base calculations.
Open the Laboratory Analyzer

Opens the complete tool in a new window.

Lab

Lab

Normal value

Comments
Albumin 3.5 – 5.0 g/dl Decreased: cystic fibrosis, chronic glomerulonephritis, alcoholic cirrhosis, Hodkin’s disease, malnutrition, nephrotic syndrome, multiple myeloma, inflammatory bowel disease, leukemia, collagen-vascular diseases
Aldosterone upright: 4-31 ng/dl Increased: hyperaldosterism (primary or secondary). Decreased: adrenal insufficiency, panhypopituitarism.
Amylase 30-100 U/liter Increased: acute pancreatitis, pancreatic duct obstruction, alcohol ingestion, mumps, parotitidis, renal disease, cholecystitis, peptic ulcers, intestinal obstruction, mesenteric thrombosis, postop abdominal surgery.  Decreased: Liver damage, pancreatic destruction (pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis)
Bilirubin Total: 0.2 – 1.2 mg/dl; direct: <0.3 mg/dl Increased total: hepatic damage (hepatitis, toxins, cirrhosis), biliary obstruction, hemolysis, fasting.
Increased direct (conjugated): biliary obstruction / cholestasis, drug induced cholestasis.
BUN 7-20 mg/dl Increased: renal failure, pre-renal azotemia, shock, volume depletion, postrenal (obstruction), GI bleeding, stress, drugs (aminoglycosides, vanco etc).   Decreased: starvation, liver failure, pregnancy, infancy, nephrotic syndrome, overhydration.
Calcium 8.8 – 10.3 mg/dl Increased: primary hyperthyroidism, parathyroid hormone secreting tumors, vitamin D excess, metastatic bone tumors, chronic renal failure, milk-alkali syndrome, osteoporosis, thiazide drugs, pagets disease, multiple myeloma, sarcoidosis. Decreased: hypoparathyroidism, insufficient vitamin D, hypomagnesemia, renal tubular acidosis, hypoalbuminemia, chronic renal failure (phosphate retention), acute pancreatitis
C02 (total) 23-30 meq/l Increased: respiratory acidosis, compensation for metabolic acidosis, severe vomiting, primary aldosteronism, volume contraction, emphysema
Decreased: Respiratory alkalosis, starvation, DKA, lactic acidosis, alcoholic ketoacidosis, severe diarrhea, renal failure, drugs (salicylates etc), dehydration.
Chloride 95-107 meq/l Increased: diarrhea, renal tubular acidosis, mineralocorticoid deficiency, hyperalimentation, medications (acetazolamide, ammonium chloride).
Decreased: mineralocorticoid excess, vomiting, diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis
Creatinine 0.5 – 1.4 mg/dl Increased: renal failure including prerenal, drug-induced (aminoglycosides, vancomycin, others), acromegaly.  Decreased: loss of muscle mass, pregnancy.
Ferritin 13 – 300 ng/ml Decreased: iron deficiency anemia (earliest sign)
Iron binding capacity (TIBC) 250-420 mcg/dl Increased: acute and chronic blood loss, iron deficiency anemia, hepatitis, oral contraceptives.  Decreased: anemia of infection and chronic diseases, cirrhosis, nephrosis, hemochromatosis
Magnesium 1.6 – 2.6 mg/dl Increased: renal failure, hypothyroidism, severe dehydration, lithium intoxication, antacids, Addison’s disease.   Decreased:  hyperthyroidism, aldosteronism, diuretics, malabsorption, hyperalimentation, nasogastric suctioning, chronic dialysis, renal tubular acidosis, drugs (aminoglycosides, cisplatin, ampho B), hungry bone syndrome, hypophosphatemia, intracellular shifts with respiratory or metabolic acidosis.
Osmolality 278 – 298 mOsm/kg Increased: hypernatremia, hyperglycemia, water loss (diuretics, diabetes..), alcohol ingestion, ethylene glycol ingestion, mannitol.  Decreased: hyponatremia, diuretics, Addison’s disease, SIADH.
Phosphorus 2.5 – 4.5 mg/dl Increased: hypoparathyroidism, excess vitamin D, secondary hyperparathyroidism, renal failure, bone disease, addisons disease.   Decreased: hyperparathyroidism, alcoholism, diabetes, hyperalimentation, acidosis, hypomagnesemia, diuretics, vitamin D deficiency, phosphate-binding antacids.
Transferrin 200-400 mg/dl Increased: iron deficiency anemia.  Decreased: acute and chronic inflammatory states, poor nutritional status, chronic liver disease.
Uric acid Male: 3 – 8 mg/dl.  female: 2-7 mg/dl Increased: gout, renal failure, drugs (diuretics, others), hypothyroidism, chemotherapy, parathyroid diseases, lactic acidosis.   Decreased: drugs (allopurinol, probenecid, others), Wilson’s disease, Fanconi’s syndrome.
References:
Basic Skills in Interpreting Laboratory Data, 5th Ed. (2013) Lee M (editor). American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, ISBN 1585283436.Drug information handbook: a comprehensive resource for all clinicians and healthcare professionals, 24th Ed. (2015) Lexi-Comp