Download LABORATORY TESTS THAT REFLECT NUTRITION

LABORATORY TESTS THAT REFLECT NUTRITION
There are numerous biochemical tests that have nutritional implications. These are a few of the laboratory
tests that can be utilized by nurses and dietitians to assess a patient’s nutritional status. Remember, however,
that all of these tests provide a wide variety of information related to a multitude of disorders or disease
processes and the nutritional implications are only a small part of their overall importance in diagnosing and
assessing a patient’s condition.
LABORATORY
TEST
Hemoglobin
NORMAL
VALUES
12-16
NUTRIENTS
INDICATED
Iron
Serum Albumin
3.8-5.6
Protein
Fluids
Pre Albumin
10-40
Protein
Serum
Transferrin
240-480
Iron and
Protein
Total Protein
6-8.6
Protein
Total
Lymphocyte
Count
Schilling Test
(24hr urine test)
Sodium
0.66-4.6
or 20-40% of
total WBC
Excretion of
7% or >
135-145
Protein
Potassium
3.5-5.3
K
Calcium
8.6-10 mg/dl
2.15-2.50
mmol/L
PT -11.0-13.0
seconds
INR - 2.0-2.5
65-110
Calcium
Protein
CHO
 = more CHO intake than body can metabolize
5.5%-8.5%
CHO
140-199
Cholesterol
Fats
40-160
>90%
Fats
Protein
Reflects blood glucose levels for past 120 days.
For diabetics 7.5%-15%= good to moderate control;
>15% = poor control
 = fat & Cholesterol intake too high
Chol/HDL ratio very important - <3.25 desirable,
>12 = high risk for atherosclerosis.
Values are age and gender related. = fat intake high
70% = severe protein deficiency
Zero balance
Amino Acids
Prothrombin
Time
Or INR
Fasting Blood
Glucose
Glycosylated
Hemoglobin
(HbA1c)
Cholesterol
Triglycerides
Creatinine
Height Index
Nitrogen balance
Others:
10.3.11mas
Intrinsic Factor
Vitamin B12
Na, fluids
Vitamin K
Also Vitamin A
POSSIBLE NUTRITIONAL IMPLICATIONS
 = anemia of some kind. Often suggests iron
supplements, also folic acid. An important indicator, but
RBCs and Hct must also be taken into account.
 = protein deficiency 21 days ago. Directly affected by
fluid balance. Not used by dietitians for acute
assessment.
 = protein deficiency within 2-day time period. Used
by dietitians for acute assessment of nutritional status.
 = iron deficiency
 = protein deficiency
Infrequently used by dietary and nursing
 = protein deficiency
Not used often by dietitian consulted.
 = protein deficiency, but no good information found in
lab books r/t nutrition or from dietitian consulted.
 = lack of intrinsic factor or inadequate intake of B12
 = dehydration, excess salt intake, need for fluids
 = fluid excess
 = inadequate intake of K, may indicate need for
supplements especially if patient is on diuretic therapy.
 = albumin deficiency (50% of blood Ca is protein
bound), or calcium deficiency. Results affected by fluid
balance.
 = Vitamin K deficiency or Hypervitaminosis A
Negative balance means more excretion of nitrogen than
is consumed = Malnutrition or severe trauma