Biochemical and haematological
studies
Albumin
36–47 g/L
Function
Most abundant plasma protein. Maintains osmotic pressure of the
blood. Transports blood constituents such as fatty acids, hormones,
enzymes, drugs and other substances
Interpretation
Increased : relative increase with haemoconcentration, where there is
severe loss of body water
Decreased : malnutrition, malabsorption, severe liver disease, renal
disease, gastrointestinal conditions causing excessive loss,
thyrotoxicosis, chemotherapy, Cushing’s disease
Bilirubin
2–17 mmol/L
Function
Pigment produced by the breakdown of
haem
Interpretation
Increased : hepatitis, biliary tract obstruction, haemolysis, haematoma
Decreased : iron deficiency, anaemia
, C-reactive protein
<7 mg/L
Function
Protein produced in the acute inflammatory phase of injury. Index for
monitoring disease activity
Interpretation
Increased : pyrexia, all inflammatory conditions (e.g. rheumatoid
arthritis, pneumococcal pneumonia), trauma, during late pregnancy
Calcium
2.1–2.6 mmol/L
Function
Nerve impulse transmission, bone and teeth formation, skeletal and
myocardial muscle contraction, activation of enzymes, blood
coagulation, cell division and repair, membrane structure and absorption
of vitamin B12
Interpretation
Increased (hypercalcaemia) : hyperpara- thyroidism, malignancy, Paget’s
disease, osteoporosis, immobilization, renal failure
Decreased (hypocalcaemia) : hypoparathyroid- ism, vitamin D deficiency,
acute pancreatitis, low blood albumin, low blood magnesium,
large transfusion of citrated blood, increased urine excretion, respiratory
acidosis
creatine kinase
Men : 30–200 U/L
Women :
30–150 U/L
studies
Albumin
36–47 g/L
Function
Most abundant plasma protein. Maintains osmotic pressure of the
blood. Transports blood constituents such as fatty acids, hormones,
enzymes, drugs and other substances
Interpretation
Increased : relative increase with haemoconcentration, where there is
severe loss of body water
Decreased : malnutrition, malabsorption, severe liver disease, renal
disease, gastrointestinal conditions causing excessive loss,
thyrotoxicosis, chemotherapy, Cushing’s disease
Bilirubin
2–17 mmol/L
Function
Pigment produced by the breakdown of
haem
Interpretation
Increased : hepatitis, biliary tract obstruction, haemolysis, haematoma
Decreased : iron deficiency, anaemia
, C-reactive protein
<7 mg/L
Function
Protein produced in the acute inflammatory phase of injury. Index for
monitoring disease activity
Interpretation
Increased : pyrexia, all inflammatory conditions (e.g. rheumatoid
arthritis, pneumococcal pneumonia), trauma, during late pregnancy
Calcium
2.1–2.6 mmol/L
Function
Nerve impulse transmission, bone and teeth formation, skeletal and
myocardial muscle contraction, activation of enzymes, blood
coagulation, cell division and repair, membrane structure and absorption
of vitamin B12
Interpretation
Increased (hypercalcaemia) : hyperpara- thyroidism, malignancy, Paget’s
disease, osteoporosis, immobilization, renal failure
Decreased (hypocalcaemia) : hypoparathyroid- ism, vitamin D deficiency,
acute pancreatitis, low blood albumin, low blood magnesium,
large transfusion of citrated blood, increased urine excretion, respiratory
acidosis
creatine kinase
Men : 30–200 U/L
Women :
30–150 U/L
