Range of techniques used in Clinical Biochemistry
Questions and answers
Case scenario: -
A 71-year-old man attended the outpatient clinic A sample was analyzed for renal and liver
function tests. The man who had seen his GP to report problems with tiredness. The results
observed were reviewed (reference ranges are given in brackets):
Sodium 200 mmol/L (135–145)
Potassium >10 mmol/L (3.5–5.0)
Urea 6.2 mmol/L (3.5–6.6)
Creatinine 87 μmol/L (70–150)
Alkaline phosphatase 153 IU/L (95–320)
Alanine aminotransferase 34 IU/L (5–42)
Albumin 40 g/L (35–50)
Total protein 70 g/L (60–80
Bilirubin 12 μmol/L (<17)
Calcium 2.47 mmol/L (2.12–2.62)
1. Write an interpretation note on above case study
According to the case study mentioned, the sodium level of the patient is 200mg/dl which
is considered to be abnormally high. Possible diseases due to this condition can be
predicted as hypernatremia, kidney damage or due to artefacts. It is also observed that the
potassium level of the patient is greater than 10mmol/l which is abnormally high. It
predicts the presence of hyperkalaemia or chronic kidney disease (CKD). But this
condition can also occur due to heart diseases and respiratory acidosis.
The patients’ results of urea are 6.2 mmol/l while the result of creatinine level is 87
mol/l. The value of calcium is presented as 2.47mmol/l. This indicates that the levels of
urea, creatinine and calcium are within the normal ranges and therefore consider there are
less possibilities for him to have serious kidney diseases. However, the presence of
hypernatremia and hyperkalaemia can be indicating that the patient has some disorders in
the kidney.
, ALT and ALP levels are the important parameters in determining liver disease. In the
above test report, the patient exhibits 34 IU/l and 153 IU/l for the levels of ALT and ALP
respectively. If ALP level increase along with ALT and AST with jaundice, it is a
hepatocellular injury. But in this case study, the patient’s levels of ALT and ALP are
normal and not high enough for any serious liver disease. However, the level of ALP is
slightly higher although it is in the reference range. But there can’t be any possibilities for
liver diseases as long as the ALT levels are normal.
Moreover, the patient displays normal values for albumin, total protein and bilirubin as
40g/l, 70g/l and 12 mol/l respectively, which helps us completely rule out the idea of the
presence of any liver diseases. Table 02 drawn below interprets the test results from the
test conducted to analyze renal and liver functions.
Table 02: Interpretation note on the case study.
Questions and answers
Case scenario: -
A 71-year-old man attended the outpatient clinic A sample was analyzed for renal and liver
function tests. The man who had seen his GP to report problems with tiredness. The results
observed were reviewed (reference ranges are given in brackets):
Sodium 200 mmol/L (135–145)
Potassium >10 mmol/L (3.5–5.0)
Urea 6.2 mmol/L (3.5–6.6)
Creatinine 87 μmol/L (70–150)
Alkaline phosphatase 153 IU/L (95–320)
Alanine aminotransferase 34 IU/L (5–42)
Albumin 40 g/L (35–50)
Total protein 70 g/L (60–80
Bilirubin 12 μmol/L (<17)
Calcium 2.47 mmol/L (2.12–2.62)
1. Write an interpretation note on above case study
According to the case study mentioned, the sodium level of the patient is 200mg/dl which
is considered to be abnormally high. Possible diseases due to this condition can be
predicted as hypernatremia, kidney damage or due to artefacts. It is also observed that the
potassium level of the patient is greater than 10mmol/l which is abnormally high. It
predicts the presence of hyperkalaemia or chronic kidney disease (CKD). But this
condition can also occur due to heart diseases and respiratory acidosis.
The patients’ results of urea are 6.2 mmol/l while the result of creatinine level is 87
mol/l. The value of calcium is presented as 2.47mmol/l. This indicates that the levels of
urea, creatinine and calcium are within the normal ranges and therefore consider there are
less possibilities for him to have serious kidney diseases. However, the presence of
hypernatremia and hyperkalaemia can be indicating that the patient has some disorders in
the kidney.
, ALT and ALP levels are the important parameters in determining liver disease. In the
above test report, the patient exhibits 34 IU/l and 153 IU/l for the levels of ALT and ALP
respectively. If ALP level increase along with ALT and AST with jaundice, it is a
hepatocellular injury. But in this case study, the patient’s levels of ALT and ALP are
normal and not high enough for any serious liver disease. However, the level of ALP is
slightly higher although it is in the reference range. But there can’t be any possibilities for
liver diseases as long as the ALT levels are normal.
Moreover, the patient displays normal values for albumin, total protein and bilirubin as
40g/l, 70g/l and 12 mol/l respectively, which helps us completely rule out the idea of the
presence of any liver diseases. Table 02 drawn below interprets the test results from the
test conducted to analyze renal and liver functions.
Table 02: Interpretation note on the case study.
