Understanding Chemistry Aspects of Laboratory Tests
Sodium: sodium levels are responsible for fluid balance, contractility of muscles (esp. heart) and nerve conduction.
Normal level range: 135 - 145
Potassium: regulates fluid balance and contractility of cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscles.
Normal level range: 3.5 - 5.0
Chloride: is necessary to form hydrochloric acid in stomach.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): determines the level of carbon dioxide in venous (veins) blood. This test can also determine serum pH levels, but it is not as accurate as blood gases.
Normal level range: 35- 45
Anion Gap: determines acid base balance. Also determines relationship between cations and anions in the blood.
Glucose: determines blood glucose (sugar) levels.
Normal level range: 70 - 110
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): determines the amount of urea in the blood stream. Urea is nitrogenous waste that should be excreted by kidneys.
Normal level range: 10-22
Creatine: is a byproduct of contraction of skeletal muscles. This by product needs to be excreted by kidneys. If the levels are elevated there is a direct connection with renal disease.
Normal level range: 0.5 - 1.2
Total Protein: all the protein in the body.
• Albumin - protein found in liver. Responsible for osmotic pressure (water balance)
• Globulin - responsible for antibody formation and osmotic pressure.
Calcium: evaluate calcium metabolism and parathyroid function. Calcium is also responsible for fluid balance and muscle contraction.
Total Bilirubin: bilirubin is formed when the red blood cells break down and are filtered by the liver. Bilirum is what gives feces and other things color in the body.
Alkaline Phosphates: these are enzymes that are found in the liver and bones. When a disease of the liver or bone sis present these enzymes are present in the blood stream in higher quantities.This listing of components is not a complete list of what labs can be performed during a chemistry panel; it is a list of the top components that are usually performed to diagnosis an illness. It is always best to contact your medical care provider in case you have questions about your chem. panel and not try to self diagnosis a problem.
Source: Nurses Training
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