Lecture Notes: Understanding Normal Laboratory Values

Importance of Recognizing Normal Laboratory Values

• Normal Laboratory Values: Expected ranges that define what is considered healthy.
• Abnormal Normal: Some patients have specific normal ranges defined by their healthcare provider based on individual health profiles.

Hemoglobin and Hematocrit

• Hemoglobin Range:
  • Males: 13 to 18 g/dL
  • Females: 12 to 16 g/dL
• Hematocrit Range:
  • Males: 42 to 52%
  • Females: 36 to 48%
• Factors Influencing Values:
  • Menstrual cycles can affect female hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

• Definition: Measures red blood cell sedimentation.
• Normal Range:
  • Males: 0 to 20 mm/hr
  • Females: 0 to 30 mm/hr

Blood Glucose and Cholesterol Levels

• Fasting Blood Glucose (FBS): 60 to 110 mg/dL
• Total Cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL
• LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein): Less than 130 mg/dL
• HDL (High Density Lipoprotein): Greater than 40 mg/dL
• Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL

Coagulation Tests

• Prothrombin Time (PT): 10.4 to 15.7 seconds
• International Normalized Ratio (INR): 0.8 to 1.2

Urinalysis

• Types of Results: Qualitative (positive/negative) and Quantitative (numerical values).
• pH Range: 4.8 to 8
• Specific Gravity: 1.005 to 1.030
• Urea Level: 0.1 to 1
• Other values are typically found as negative, indicating the absence of certain elements.

Conclusion

• Understanding these values helps in monitoring and managing health effectively.
• Providers may offer specific guidance on what constitutes an abnormal result for individual patients.