Normal Adult Range: 0 - 42 U/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 21
SGPT (Serum Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase - ALT)
Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase or ALT is an enzyme found primarily in the liver but also to a lesser degree, the heart and other tissues. It is useful in diagnosing liver function more so than SGOT levels. Decreased SGPT in combination with increased cholesterol levels is seen in cases of a congested liver. We also see increased levels in mononucleosis, alcoholism, liver damage, kidney infection, chemical pollutants or myocardial infarction.
Normal Adult Range: 0 - 48 U/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 24
GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase)
Believed to be involved in the transport of amino acids and peptides into cells as well as glutithione metabolism, Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase is mainly found in liver cells and as such is extremely sensitive to alcohol use. Elevated levels may be found in liver disease, alcoholism, bile-duct obstruction, cholangitis, drug abuse, and in some cases excessive magnesium ingestion. Decreased levels can be found in hypothyroidism, hypothalamic malfunction and low levels of magnesium.
Normal Adult Female Range: 0 - 45 U/L
Optimal Female Reading: 22.5
Normal Adult Male Range: 0 - 65 U/L
Optimal Male Reading: 32.5
IMMUNOGLOBULIN-A (IgA), IMMUNOGLOBULIN-G (IgG), IMMUNOGLOBULIN-M (IgM)
Diffuse polyclonal increases in IgG, IgA and IgM occur in acute and chronic inflammation, and in chronic liver disease. In the myelomas a specific immunoglobulin is elevated (IgG in IgG myeloma, etc.) Decreases occur in some congenital or acquired immunodeficiency diseases, and in conditions causing protein loss or metabolic dysfunction.
Neph Adult (>17 yoa) ranges:
IgA: 80-500 mg/dl
IgG: 725-1750 mg/dl
IgM: 40-350 mg/dl
1.0 ml serum (for IgG, IgA and IgM)
(Min. 0.3 ml serum for each.)
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
Produced in the cells of the bone and liver with some activity in the kidney, intestine, and placenta, it is mostly found in an alkaline state with a pH of 9. Used extensively as a tumor marker it is also present in bone injury, pregnancy, or skeletal growth (elevated readings). Growing children have normally higher levels of this enzyme also. Low levels are sometimes found in hypoadrenia, protein deficiency, malnutrition and a number of vitamin deficiencies.
Normal Adult Range: 20 - 125 U/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 72.5
Normal Childrens Range: 40 - 400 U/L
Optimal Childrens Reading: 220
BILIRUBIN, TOTAL
A byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells in the liver, bilirubin is a good indication of the liver’s function. Excreted into the bile, bilirubin gives the bile its pigmentation. Elevated in liver disease, mononucleosis, hemolytic anemia, low levels of exposure to the sun, and toxic effects to some drugs, decreased levels are seen in people with an inefficient liver, excessive fat digestion, and possibly a diet low in nitrogen bearing foods.
Normal Adult Range 0 - 1.3 mg/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: .65
LDH (Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase)
Lactic acid dehydrogenase is an intracellular enzyme from particularly in the kidney, heart, skelatal muscle, brain, liver and lungs. Increases are usually found in cellular death and/or leakage from the cell or in some cases it can be useful in confirming myocardial or pulmonary infarction (only in relation to other tests). Decreased levels of the enzyme may be seen in cases of malnutrition, hypoglycemia, adrenal exhaustion or low tissue or organ activity.
Normal Adult Range: 0 - 250 U/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 125
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
Produced in the cells of the bone and liver with some activity in the kidney, intestine, and placenta, it is mostly found in an alkaline state with a pH of 9. Used extensively as a tumor marker it is also present in bone injury, pregnancy, or skeletal growth (elevated readings). Growing children have normally higher levels of this enzyme also. Low levels are sometimes found in hypoadrenia, protein deficiency, malnutrition and a number of vitamin deficiencies.
Normal Adult Range: 20 - 125 U/L
Optimal Adult Reading: 72.5
Normal Childrens Range: 40 - 400 U/L
Optimal Childrens Reading: 220
Normal Adult Female Range: 37 - 47%
Optimal Adult Female Reading: 42%
Normal Adult Male Range 40 - 54%
Optimal Adult Male Reading: 47
Normal Newborn Range: 50 - 62%
Optimal Newborn Reading: 56
HEMOGLOBIN (HGB)
Hemoglobin is the main transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. It is composed of globin a group of amino acids that form a protein and heme which contains iron atoms and the red pigment, porphyrin. As with Hematocrit, it is an important determinant of anemia (decreased), dehydration (increased), polycythemia (increased), poor diet/nutrition, or possibly a malabsorption problem.
Normal Adult Female Range: 12 - 16%
Optimal Adult Female Reading: 14
Normal Adult Male Range: 14 - 18%
Optimal Adult Male Reading: 16
Normal Newborn Range: 14 - 20%
Optimal Newborn Reading: 17
MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin)
Hemoglobin x 10
R.B.C.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) gives the average weight of hemoglobin in the red blood cell. Due to its use of red blood cells in its calculation, MCH is not as accurate as MCHC in its diagnosis of severe anemia's. Decreased MCH is associated with microcytic anemia and increased MCH is associated with macrocytic anemia.
Normal Adult Range: 27 - 33 pg
Optimal Adult Reading: 30
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)
Hemoglobin x 100
Hematocrit
This test measures the average concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells. It is most valuable in evaluating therapy for anemia because Hemoglobin and Hematocrit are used, not R.B.C. in the calculation. Low MCHC means that a unit of packed R.B.C.’s contain less hemoglobin than normal and a high MCHC means that there is more hemoglobin in a unit of R.B.C.’s. Increased MCHC is seen in spherocytosis, and not seen in pernicious anemia whereas decreased levels may indicate iron deficiency, blood loss, B6 deficiency of thalassemia.
Normal Adult Range: 32 - 36 %
Optimal Adult Reading: 34
Higher ranges are found in newborns and infants
R.B.C. (Red Blood Cell Count)
Red blood cells main function is to carry oxygen to the tissues and to transfer carbon dioxide to the lungs. This process is possible through the R.B.C. containing hemoglobin which combines easily with oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Normal Adult Female Range: 3.9 - 5.2 mill/mcl
Optimal Adult Female Reading: 4.55
Normal Adult Male Range: 4.2 - 5.6 mill/mcl
Optimal Adult Male Reading: 4.9
Lower ranges are found in Children, newborns and infants
W.B.C. (White Blood Cell Count)
White blood cells main function is to fight infection, defend the body by phagocytosis against invasion by foreign organisms, and to produce, or at least transport and distribute, antibodies in the immune response. There are a number of types of leukocytes (see differential) that are classified as follows:
Granulocytes
Band Neutrophiles
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Nongranulocytes
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Basophils
Each cell, or leukocyte, has a different job in the body which is explained in the Differential section.
Normal Adult Range: 3.8 - 10.8 thous/mcl
Optimal Adult Reading: 7.3
Higher ranges are found in children, newborns and infants.
PLATELET COUNT
Platelets (also known as thrombocytes) are the smallest formed elements of the blood. They are vital to coagulation of the blood to prevent excessive bleeding. Elevated levels suggest dehydration or stimulation of the bone marrow where the cells are produced and decreased levels may indicate an immune system failure, drug reactions, B12 or folic acid deficiency.
Normal Adult Range: 130 - 400 thous/mcl
Optimal Adult Reading: 265
Higher ranges are found in children, newborns and infants.
Normal Adult Range: 48 - 73%
Optimal Adult Reading: 60.5
Normal Children’s Range: 30 - 60%
Optimal Children’s Reading: 45
LYMPHOCYTES and LYMPHOCYTE COUNT
Lymphocytes are involved in protection of the body from viral infections such as measles, rubella, chickenpox, or infectious mononucleosis. Elevated levels may indicate an active viral infection and a depressed level may indicate an exhausted immune system or if the neutrophils are elevated an active infection.
Normal Adult Range: 18 - 48%
Optimal Adult Reading: 33
Normal Children’s Range: 25 - 50%
Optimal Children’s Reading: 37.5
MONOCYTES and MONOCYTE COUNT
These cells are helpful in fighting severe infections and are considered the bodies second line of defense against infection and are the largest cells in the blood stream. Elevated levels are seen in tissue breakdown or chronic infections, carcinomas, leukemia (monocytic) or lymphomas. Low levels are indicative of a state of health.
Normal Adult Range: 0 - 9%
Optimal Adult Reading: 4.5
EOSINOPHILS and EOSINOPHIL COUNT
Eosinophils are used by the body to protect against allergic reactions and parasites. Therefore, elevated levels may indicate an allergic response. A low count is normal.
Normal Adult Range: 0 - 5%
Optimal Adult Reading: 2.5
BASOPHILS and BASOPHIL COUNT
Basophilic activity is not fully understood but it is known to carry histamine, heparin and serotonin. High levels are found in allergic reactions, low levels are normal.
Normal Adult Range: 0 - 2%
Optimal Adult Reading: 1
2.) "Not Detected"
The viral load can range from "not detected" to hundreds of millions. The meaning of "not detected" or "negative" differs, depending on the test used. In my lab, the detection limit for the "quantitative" HCV RNA test by "PCR" is 200 virus equivalents/ml (and with the "qualitative" test they can detect down to 10 virus equivalents/ml). The less expensive quantitative "bDNA" test has a detection limit of about 200,000 virus equivalents/ml, which makes it less sensitive, but above its detection limit it is more accurate than the PCR test.
When you are "negative", it could mean that you have no hepatitis C virus in your blood. Because of the test type done it could also mean that you do have hepatitis C virus in your blood, but the number of viruses is lower than the detection limit.
3.) "Positive"
When you get back the result of your HCV RNA quantitative test,
and when the lab was able to determine the amount of virus in your blood,
then it is important to write down not only the number, but also in what
units this number is given. Better yet, have the Dr's office give you copies
of the bloodwork results.
-- A) Volume
The volume of blood that the number refers to is usually one millilitre.
Some labs give the number for 20 microlitres = 1/50 millilitre. So in these
cases you have to multiply the result of the viral load by 50 to get the
number for 1 millilitre.
-- B) Amount of Virus
Unfortunately, there are several ways to express the viral load.
So, in order to be able to compare different results, you have to know
how to convert these numbers to some standard format, which is just the
plain number of viruses per millilitre, like 1.5 Million/ml, or 1,500,000/ml.
---- 1.) By weight
Sometimes the lab reports the amount of genetic material found by
its weight. 1 pg (pico-gram) of genetic material corresponds to about 1
million virus equivalents, so, if your lab result is given in picograms,
just multiply the lab result by 1,000,000, and you have the number of viruses.
---- 2.) By virus count
------ a.) Plain numbers
Often the virus count is expressed as a plain number, like 1.73
million, or 1,730,000 or 1730000. Millions sometime are abbreviated by
the prefix "M" (Mega). So when you see 1.73 Meq/ml, it means 1.73 Mega-equivalents/ml
or again 1730000 equivalents/ml.
------ b.) Exponential format
Large numbers are often expressed in exponential form, that means
a number, multiplied by 10 with an exponent. To convert this to normal
numbers, append as many zeroes to a "1" as the exponent says, and multiply
this with the number. In some lab report, the viral load was "Hep C RNA
Quant 17.3 x 10(exp) 5 equivalents/ml". So, with 5 as exponent, you have
to append 5 zeroes to an "1", that gives 100000, and multiply this with
the number 17.3, that gives 1730000 as the viral load. Normally this would
be written 1.73x10(exp)6, or 1.73x10Ø6 , which are the same number.
At the same time, 17.3x10(exp)5 = 1.73x10(exp)6 = 1,730,000.
------ c.) Logarithmic format
Recently some people express these numbers also in logarithmic form
(logarithmic transformed number).
Log(1730000)=6.24. 6.24 is the logarithmic transformed number of the viral load of our above example.
If you don't have a calculator, you can estimate the order of magnitude of a viral load expressed as a logarithmic number. From the logarithmic number, you take the first digit (to the left of the point ) and add 1 to this number. This gives you the number of digits that your viral load has (expresses as a plain number).
Example: Logarithmic number 6.24
Left of the point is "6". 6+1 = 7
The number that gives the viral load is 7 digits long, that means it is between 1,000,000 and 9,999,999 (digit # 1 234 567).
In case you have a logarithmic number and a blood volume other than 1 ml, you have to convert the logarithmic number to a plain number *first*, and then correct it to correspond to 1 ml!
It is important to have a close look at your lab report and
see in what units the result is given.