Reference ranges for blood tests are sets of values used by a health professional to interpret a set of medical test results from blood samples. Reference ranges for blood tests are studied within the field of clinical chemistry (also known as clinical biochemistry, chemical pathology or pure blood chemistry the area of pathology that is generally concerned with analysis of bodily fluids. Blood test results should always be interpreted using the reference range provided by the laboratory that performed the test.[1] Contents 1 Interpretation 1.1 Plasma or whole blood 1.2 Units 1.3 Arterial or venous 1.4 Usual or optimal 1.5 Variability 2 Sorted by concentration 2.1 By mass and molarity 2.2 By units 2.3 By enzyme activity 2.4 White blood cells 3 Sorted by category 3.1 Ions and trace metals 3.2 Acid-base and blood gases 3.3 Liver function 3.4 Cardiac tests 3.5 Lipids 3.6 Tumour markers 3.7 Endocrinology Thyroid hormones Sex hormones Other hormones 3.8 Vitamins 3.9 Toxins 3.10 Hematology Red blood cells White blood cells Coagulation 3.11 Immunology Acute phase proteins Isotypes of antibodies Autoantibodies 3.12 Other enzymes and proteins 3.13 Other electrolytes and metabolites 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 External links Interpretation[edit] A reference range is usually defined as the set of values 95 percent of the normal population falls within (that is, 95% prediction interval).[2] It is determined by collecting data from vast numbers of laboratory tests. Plasma or whole blood[edit] In this article, all values (except the ones listed below) denote blood plasma concentration, which is approximately 60-100% larger than the actual blood concentration if the amount inside red blood cells ( RBCs) is negligible. The precise factor depends on hematocrit as well as amount inside RBCs. Exceptions are mainly.
How is thrombocytopenia diagnosed? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Thrombocytopenia is usually detected incidentally from routine blood work done for other reasons. Platelets are a component of the complete blood count ( CBC) which also contains information on red blood cells and white blood cells. If thrombocytopenia is seen for the first time, it is prudent to repeat the complete blood count in order to exclude pseudothrombocytopenia (see above). If the repeat CBC confirms low platelet counts, then further evaluation can begin. Once detected, the cause of thrombocytopenia may be investigated by the doctor. The most essential part of this evaluation includes a thorough physical examination and medical history of the patient. In the medical history, the complete list of all medications is routinely reviewed. Some of the other important components of the history include reviewing previous known history of low platelet count, family history of thrombocytopenia, recent infections, any previous cancers, other autoimmune disorders, or liver disease. A review of the symptoms related to excessive bleeding or bruising can also provide additional information. As a part of a thorough physical examination, special attention may be given to the skin and mucus membrane in the oral cavity for petechiae or purpura or other signs of bleeding. On the abdominal examination, an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) can provide important diagnostic clues. The urgency to perform additional testing and evaluation is largely dependent on how low the platelet count is on the blood count, and what the clinical situation may be. For instance, in a person who needs a surgery and has a platelet count of less than 50,000 the investigation will take precedence over one whose thrombocytopenia was detected on a yearly blood work with a platelet of 100,000. A comprehensive review of the other components.
Download Now