RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width): The RDW is an indicator of the variation in red blood cell size. It's used in order to help classify certain types of anemia, and to see if some of the red blood cells need their suits tailored. An increase in RDW can be indicative of iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anemia, and diseases like sickle cell anemia.

Normal ranges:
Adult Male 11.7-14.2%
Adult Female 11.7-14.2%


Platelets: Platelets or thrombocytes are essential for your body's ability to form blood clots and thus stop bleeding. They're measured in order to assess the likelihood of certain disorders or diseases. An increase can be indicative of a malignant disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, iron deficiency anemia, etc. A decrease may be caused by infection, various types of anemia, leukemia, etc.

Normal Range for Adults:
150,000-400,000/mm3 (Or 150-400 x 10(9th)/L)
Anything above 1 million/mm3 would be considered a critical value and should be evaluated by a blood specialist (hematologist).


ABS (Differential Blood Cell Type Counts): The differential count measures the percentage of each type of leukocyte or white blood cell present in the same specimen. Using this, they can determine whether there's a bacterial or parasitic infection, as well as immune reactions, etc.

Neutrophils: Severe trauma, stress and bacterial infections, as well as inflammatory disorders, metabolic disorders can cause an increase in the neutrophil count. A low number can indicate a viral infection, a bacterial infection, or a deficient diet.

Normal Percentile Range:55-70%


Basophils: Both basolphils and eosinophils are present in an allergic reaction and parasite infection. These types of cells don't increase in response to viral or bacterial infections, so if an increased count is noted, it can be deduced that either an allergic response has occurred or a zoophilic pathogen infection is present.

Normal Percentile Range:
Basophils 0.5-1.0 %
Eosinophils 1.0-4.0 %


Lymphocytes and Monocytes: Lymphocytes can be divided in to two different types of cells: T cells and B cells. T cells are involved in immune reactions and B cells are involved in antibody production. The main job of lymphocytes in general is to fight off — Bruce Lee style — bacterial and viral infections. Monocytes are similar to neutrophils but are produced more rapidly and stay in the system for a longer period of time.

Normal Percentile Range:
Lymphocytes 20-40 %
Monocytes 2-8 %

Selected Clinical Values of Electrolytes and Other Analytes


Sodium: This cation (an ion with a postive charge) is mainly found in extracellular spaces and is responsible for maintaining a balance of water in the body. When plasma sodium rises, the kidneys conserve water. Conversely, when the sodium concentration is low, the kidneys conserve sodium and excrete water.

Increased levels can result from excessive dietary intake, Cushing's syndrome, excessive sweating, severe burns, and prolonged dehydration. Decreased levels can result from a deficient diet, Addison's disease, diarrhea, vomiting, chronic renal insufficiency, excessive water intake, and congestive heart failure. Anabolic steroids will result in an increased level of sodium as well.

Normal Adult Range: 136-145 mEq/L


Potassium: Potassium in an extremely important intracellular cation, responsible for nerve condition and ion balance across membranes. Increased levels can result from excessive dietary intake, acute renal failure, aldosterone-inhibiting diuretics, a crushing injury to tissues, infection, acidosis, and chronic or prolonged dehydration. Decreased levels can be indicative of a deficient dietary intake, burns, diarrhea or vomiting, diuretics, Cushing's syndrome, licorice consumption, insulin use, cystic fibrosis, trauma, and surgery.

Normal Adult Range: 3.5-5 mEq/L


Chloride: This is the major extracellular anion (an ion carrying a negative charge). Its purpose it is to maintain electrical neutrality with sodium. It also serves as a buffer in order to maintain the pH balance of the blood. Chloride typically accompanies sodium and thus the causes for change are essentially the same.

Normal Adult range: 98-106 mEq/L


Calcium: Calcium is measured in order to assess the function of the parathyroid and calcium metabolism. Increased levels can stem from hyperparathyroidism, metastatic tumor to the bone, prolonged immobilization, lymphoma, hyperthyroidism, acromegaly, etc. It's also important to note that anabolic steroids can also increase calcium levels. Decreased levels can stem from renal failure, rickets, vitamin D deficiency, malabsorption, pancreatitis, and alkalosis.

Normal Adult range: 9-10.5 mg/dl


Carbon Dioxide: Dissolved carbon dioxide, CO2, is used to evaluate the pH (relative acidity) of the blood as well as aid in evaluation of electrolyte levels. Increased levels can be indicative of severe diarrhea, starvation, vomiting, emphysema, metabolic alkalosis, etc. Increased levels could also mean that you're a plant. Decreased levels can be indicative of kidney failure, metabolic acidosis, shock, and starvation.

Normal Adult range: 23-30 mEq/L


Glucose: The amount of glucose in the blood after a prolonged period of fasting (12-14 hours) is used to determine whether a person is in a hypoglycemic (low blood glucose) or hyperglycemic (high blood glucose) state. Both can be indicators of serious conditions. Elevated blood glucose readings (hyperglycemia) can be indicative of diabetes, acute stress, Cushing's syndrome, chronic renal failure, corticosteroid therapy, acromegaly, and other disease. Decreased levels could be indicative of hypothyroidism, insulinoma (tumor of the beta islet cells of the pancreas), liver disease, insulin overdose, and starvation.

Normal range: 80-120 mg/dL
Low normal: 65-80 mg/dL


BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): This test measures the amount of urea nitrogen that's present in the blood. When protein is metabolized, the end product is urea which is formed in the liver and excreted from the bloodstream via the kidneys. This is why BUN is a good indicator of both liver and kidney function. Increased levels can stem from shock, burns, dehydration, congestive hear failure, myocardial infarction, excessive protein ingestion, excessive protein catabolism, starvation, sepsis, renal disease, renal failure, etc. Causes of a decrease in levels can be liver failure, overhydration, negative nitrogen balance via malnutrition, pregnancy, etc.

Normal range: 10-20 mg/dl


Creatinine: Creatinine is a byproduct of creatine phosphate, the chemical used in contraction of skeletal muscle. So, the more muscle mass you have, the higher the creatine levels and therefore the higher the levels of creatinine. When you ingest large amounts of meat proteins that have high levels of creatine in them, you can increase creatinine levels as well. Since creatinine levels are used to measure the functioning of the kidneys, this easily explains why creatine has been accused of causing kidney damage, since it naturally results in an increase in creatinine levels.

However, we need to remember that these tests are only indicators of functioning and thus outside drugs and supplements can influence them and give false results, as creatine may do. This is why creatine, while increasing creatinine levels, does not cause renal damage or impair function. Generally speaking, though, increased levels are indicative of urinary tract obstruction, acute tubular necrosis, reduced renal blood flow (stemming from shock, dehydration, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis), as well as acromegaly. Decreased levels can be indicative of debilitation, muscle wasting, cancer, and lost muscle mass via disease or extreme stress (including thermal heat shock and dehydration).

Normal range:
Adult Male 0.6-1.2 mg/dl
Adult Female 0.5-1.1 mg/dl


BUN/Creatinine Ratio: A high ratio may be found in states of shock, volume depletion, hypotension, dehydration, gastrointestinal bleeding, and in some cases, a catabolic state. A low ratio can be indicative of a low protein diet, malnutrition, pregnancy, severe liver disease, ketosis, etc. It is important to note that a high protein diet will result in a higher BUN/creatinine ratio - makes sure your physician and lab clinicians are aware of this fact.

Normal range: 6-25 (unitless measure)


Liver Function Assays

Total Protein and Globulins: A measure of the total level of albumin and globulin in the body. Albumin is synthesized by the liver and as such is used as an indicator of liver function. It functions to transport hormones, enzymes, drugs and other constituents of the blood.

Globulins are the building blocks of your body's antibodies. Measuring the levels of these two proteins is also an indicator of nutritional status. Increased albumin levels can result from dehydration, while decreased albumin levels can result from malnutrition, pregnancy, liver disease, overhydration, inflammatory diseases, etc.

Increased globulin levels can result from inflammatory diseases, hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), iron deficiency anemia, as well as infections. Decreased globulin levels can result from hyperthyroidism, liver dysfunction, malnutrition, and immune deficiencies or disorders.

As another important side note, anabolic steroids, growth hormone, and insulin can all increase serum protein concentrations.

Normal Adult range:
Total Protein: 6.4-8.3 g/dl
Albumin: 3.5-5.0 g/dl
Globulin: 2.3-3.4 g/dl
Albumin/Globulin Ratio: 0.8-2.0

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