Question:
What are normal Labs

In a previous question, someone got an answer saying that they should have their labs checked every other month and not rely on their surgeon to pick up on everything. Check for yourself!! Well, I have no idea what is normal and what is something that I should be concerned with. Can someone list what labs should be done, and the acceptable ranges for the results? Thanks    — enjo4 (posted on September 14, 2000)

September 14, 2000

   — Victoria B.

September 14, 2000
Hi Erin, I am a Registered Nurse and I can't remember all the normal values for all the blood tests we have done!!! So I do what many other medical people do, I rely on what the written report shows. Absoloutely keep copies of all your blood work and you keep vigilent in monitoring the values. I made a simple chart where I made columns of all the blood tests and then wrote in the values under each column. (Okay, computer people can make a spread sheet, but I take a piece of notebook paper , a ruler, and a pencil and draw in the chart) So when I had the next test, I just filled in the adjacent column with the new numbers and I could see at a glance the progression of things. Now also, all of the labs list the normal values for the test right there on the reports and many companies have a provision for any value that is outside the normal range to be listed in a different column. So at a glance anyone can see what is out of range. (Sometimes the difference is negligible but because the number is technically out of the guidelines set up, it kicks back to abnormal) Every lab actually has different ranges for what is considered normal so clinical correlation is important. That is where making sure that your doctor sees the "graph" you have made up is very helpful. I don't know about your doctor but when I took a look at my chart at the surgeons office I was amazed that they could find anything. Plus when you have multiple tests done you have multiple pages of results and flipping back and forth and trying to find notes to compare is necessary but taxing. I look out for me so I make it as simple and easy for the doctors to help me. That is why I make out my lists and charts, always have phone numbers available, always have records of tests done with me and so forth. The point is not to do the work for them but to ensure that they have what is necessary and accessable quickly. So don't worry about what is normal, it's all spelled out for you.
   — Fran B.

September 14, 2000
Here's our list:* comprehensive metabolic profile (sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose,BUN, creatinine, calcium, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase) >> >>* lipid profile (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, chol/HDL ratio) >> >>* ALT (SPGT) >> >>* GGT >> >>* LDH >> >>* phosphorous - inorganic >> >>* uric acid >> >>* hemogram with platelets >> >>* B-12 & folate >> >>* iron, TIBC, % sat >> >>* vitamin A & D (25-hydroxy) >> >>* thyroid panel (T3U, T4, FTI, TSH) >> >>* zinc >> >>* magnesium >> And ferritin, if you don't see it listed there. Also, I reiterate what Fran said about keeping a chart. While we don't recommend that YOU analyze 'em, you can spot trends and report them to your doc because he is NOT making a chart of you. He's watching for out of range stuff or particular elements. And we amateurs can't really read all there is. You can SEE your iron, your B12 and a few really obvious ones, but where we fail is being able to look at this elemeent and that element and this other one and knit them together to say, THIS is a problem or looks like a problem, but nope, not a problem. That's not up to us. What we CAN do is say, "Gee, I see my B12 has been falling gently since before surgery. It's not LOW, but what can I do NOW to keep it from bottoming out on me?" It helps the docs when we participate AND we feel more in control of our health AND reassurres us that what we're doing is indeed, the right thing for our particular bodies. We are checked quarterly for a year or two, then 6 months if things are looking stable.
   — vitalady