Interpretation of

Diagnostic Results

Diagnostic Examinations
Routine Blood Chemistry
FBS
Lipid Profile (Total Cholesterol,
Triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL)
Kidney Function (BUN, BUA, Creatinine)
Liver Enzymes (SGPT, SGOT)

ABG
Chest X-ray PA
12-L ECG

Fasting Blood Sugar

FBS- Fasting blood sugar
<100mg/dL = normal
100-125mg/dL = impaired fasting glucose
> 126mg/dL = warrants the diagnosis of
DM

Lipid Profile
LDL- Low Density Lipoprotein
Major culprits in the development of
atherosclerotic heart disease
Metabolism of ingested cholesterol
yields VLDL and IDL. Further metabolism
of VLDL results in cholesterol rich LDL,
which is the key ingredient for the
development of an atherosclerotic
plaque

Lipid Profile
HDL- High Density Lipoprotein
Consists mostly of cholesterol,
phospholipid, and protein
Produced and secreted by the liver and
intestine
Transports cholesterol from tissues to
the liver
Inversely related with incidence of
atherosclerosis

Lipid Profile
Triglycerides
Most abundant dietary lipid compound found
throughout the diet
Method with which energy is stored in the body
The largest proportion of chylomicrons
containing dietary triglycerides undergo hepatic
uptake, where triglycerides are packaged into
VLDL for transport to peripheral tissues
Implicated in playing a role in atherosclerotic
disease formation

Lipid Profile
LDL:
<70mg/dL = therapeutic option for very
high risk patients
<100mg/dL = optimal
100-129 mg/dL = near optimal/above
optimal
130-159 mg/dL = borderline high
160-189 mg/dL = high
>190 mg/dL = very high

Lipid Profile
Total cholesterol:
<200 mg/dL = desirable
200-239mg/dL = borderline high
>240mg/dL = high

HDL:
<40 mg/dL = low
>60 mg/dL = high

Lipid Profile
Triglycerides:
<100 mg/dL = optimal
101-149 mg/dL = normal
150-199 mg/dL = borderline
200-499 mg/dL = high
>500 mg/dL = very high

Kidney Function
BUN- Blood Urea Nitrogen
<8 mg/dL = possibly inadequate protein
intake
12-23 mg/dL = possibly adequate protein
intake
>23 mg/dL = possibly excessive protein
intake

If serum creatinine is normal, use

BUN

Kidney Function
BUN- Blood Urea Nitrogen
Low:
Severe liver disease
Anabolic state
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
High:
Despite poor protein intake
Renal failure
Congestive heart failure
Gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Kidney Function
Creatinine<0.6 mg/dL = muscle wasting due to
prolonged energy deficit
High:
Despite muscle wasting
Renal failure
Severe dehydration

Kidney Function
BUA- Blood uric acid
4.0-8.6 mg/dL for males
3.0-5.9 mg/dL for females (uricosuric
effects of estrogen)

Kidney Function
Blood uric acidAlthough hyperuricemia is associated with an
increased incidence of gout and nephrolithiasis,
levels do not correlate with the severity of
disease.
Increased by:
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
Renal insufficiency
Myeloproliferative disease
Psoriasis
Drugs (alcohol, cytotoxic therapy, thiazides)

Liver Enzymes
SGPT- Serum glutamic-pyruvic
transaminase
Alanine aminotransferase
7-41 U/L

SGOT- Serum oxaloacetic

transaminase
Aspartate aminotransferase
12-38 U/L

Liver Enzyme
Alkaline Phosphatase
33-96 U/L

GGT- Gamma glutamyltransferase

9-58 U/L

Arterial Blood Gas

[HCO3-] 22-30 meq/L
PCO2 32-45 mmHg
pH 7.35-7.45
PO2 72-104 mmHg

ECG

Rate

Rate

Rhythm

Axis

Intervals
PR (0.12-0.20)
Short: Preexcitation syndrome,
nodal rhythm
Long: First-degree AV block

Intervals
QRS (0.06-0.10)
Widened: Ventricular premature beats,
bundle branch blocks, toxic level of
certain drugs (quinidine), severe
hypokalemia

Intervals
QT (<50% of RR interval; corrected
QT < 0.44s)
Prolonged: congenital, hypokalemia,
hypocalcemia, drugs (quinidine,
procainamide, tricyclics)

ST Waves
ST elevation: Acute MI, coronary
spasm, pericarditis, LV aneurism
ST depression: Digitalis effect, strain
due to ventricular hypertrophy,
ischemia, or nontransmural MI