Lab Data

    Cards (19)

    • Typical Biochemical Data
      • Sodium
      • Potassium
      • Creatine
      • Urea
      • Calcium
      • Phosphate
      • Magnesium
    • Calcium
      • Reference Range – 2.1-2.6 mmol/L
      • 99% of calcium found in bone
      • Most of the rest circulates in the blood
      • 40% bound with proteins
      • 50% circulates as ionised calcium
    • Hypercalcaemia (Too High)
      • Could be malignancy
      • Treatment – bisphosphates
      • Hydration
    • Hypocalcaemia (Too Low)
      • Treatment – Supplements with vitamin D
    • Phosphate
      • Reference range – 0.8-1.5mmol/L
      • 80% found in bones
      • 15-20% in intracellular fluid
      • Crucial for energy metabolism
    • Hyperphosphatemia (Too High)

      • Tends to be chronic renal failure or CKD
      • Treatment – Binding agent (calcium or aluminium base compounds)
    • Hypophosphatemia (Too Low)

      • Occur due to refeeding syndrome
      • Treatment – Supplements
    • Magnesium
      • Reference range 0.7-1.05mmol/L
      • Important for nerve and muscle function, keeps heart beat and helps bones to remain strong
    • Hypomagnesemia (Too Low)

      • Severe vomiting or diarrhoea
      • Can cause issue with the heart
      • Treatment – Supplements, Oral = Magnesium glycerophosphate, IV if severe
    • Typical Biochemical Data - LFTs
      • Albumin
      • Bilirubin (Unconjugated / Conjugated)
      • AST
      • ALT
      • ALP
      • Gamma GT
    • Albumin
      • Reference range – 35-59g/L
      • Most abundant protein in the blood and synthesised by the liver
      • Concentration shows how well liver is synthesising this protein
      • If level starts to decrease maybe something wrong with liver
      • Binds with calcium/bilirubin/drugs in blood
      • Highly protein bound drugs include warfarin and phenytoin
    • Bilirubin
      • RBC = Haemoglobin
      • Waste product as unconjugated form but needs to be in conjugated form to be excreted
    • ALT - Alanine Aminotransaminase
      • Approximately 1000U/L above – acute assault on liver
      • 3 x normal value to 1000 – viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, infection, drug induced hepatitis
      • AST – not liver specific
      • ALT – almost liver specific
    • ALP - Alkaline phosphate
      • A large raise usual indicates a blockage (cholestasis)
      • A small raise usually indicated liver damage
      • Not liver specific – also raised in bone diseases such as rickets, Paget's disease and pregnancy and when children grow
    • Gamma GT - Gamma Glutamyl Transferase
      • A large raise usually indicates a blockage (cholestasis) – coupled wot ALP raise
      • A small raise usually indicated liver damage (but will be coupled with AST/ALT raises)
      • Also raised during drug treatment with enzyme inducers and following high alcohol intake
    • LFT Interpretation
      • Liver Damage / Impairment
      • Post Liver Blockage (Cholestasis)
    • Troponin
      • Specific to cardiac damage
      • Released shortly after a heart attack
      • Reach peak at 24 hours
    • CK-MB Creatinine Kinase
      • Reaches peak quicker than troponin
      • Not cardiac specific
    • Myoglobin
      • Much quicker 6-8 hours
      • Not cardiac specific
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