Nephron Information Center

 

Blood Lab Value Comparison
Normal (non-ESRD) to Acceptable ESRD Normal

This guide was compiled by the staff of the Good Samaritan Hospital Chronic Dialysis Center located at Bay Shore, New York.

Blood Values may vary between labs, doctors, and centers. If you have questions regarding certain readings, inquire of the physician to assist in explaining the importance and meaning of specific values while managing your end stage renal disease condition.

Blood Chemistries

-1. BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
-2. Calcium (Ca)
-3. Calcium Phosphate Product (Ca x PO4)
-4. Chloride (Cl)
-5. Creatinine
-6. CO2 (Bicarb)
-7. Glucose
-8. Hematocrit HCT
-9. Magnesium
10. Sodium (Na)
11. Phosphorus (PO4)
12. Potassium

Other Tests

13. Albumin
14. Australian Antigen
15. Ferritin
16. Hepatitis Antibody
17. Total Bilirubin
18. Total Protein
19. Urea Reduction Ratio (URR)
20. KT/V

Enzymes

21. Alkaline Phosphatase
22. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
23. SGOT
24. SGPT


1. BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

Normal value = 7-25 MG/DL
Dialysis normal = 40-85 MG/DL

(values will vary depending on protein intake)

Causes of abnormal levels (refers to increases in):

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels:
Return to Blood Chemistries


2. Calcium (Ca)

Normal value = 8.5-10.8 MG/DL
Dialysis normal = (Same) 8.5-10.8 MG/DL

Level is best near upper end to avoid overactive parathyroid glands.

Causes of abnormal levels:

Calcium level will rise as phosphorus level decreases.

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels

Return to Blood Chemistries


3. Calcium Phosphate Product (Ca x PO4)

Normal value = 0-70
Dialysis normal = multiply calcium and phosphorus blood values -- should not exceed 70.

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels:

Return to Blood Chemistries


4. Chloride (Cl)

Normal value = 96-109 MEQ/L
Dialysis normal = Same 96 - 109 MEQ/L

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels:

Return to Blood Chemistries


5. Creatinine

Normal value = less than 1.5 MG/DL
Accepted dialysis normal = 10-20 MG/DL

Varies with muscle mass. Elderly may have lower creatinine due to loss of muscle mass. Type II Diabetics have an acceptable range of 4-6 MG/DL. Should remain about the same as at start of dialysis from treatment to treatment. Only the most muscular of individuals should have values in the upper range.

Causes of abnormal levels:

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels:

Non-specific symptoms, but should be closely monitored with special attention to unsteady values. Any changes, especially increasing, should be reported/discussed with the health care team immediately.

Return to Blood Chemistries


6. CO2 (Bicarb)

Normal value = 22-32 MEQ/L
Dialysis normal = not less than 18 MEQ/L

Causes of abnormal levels:

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels: Return to Blood Chemistries


7. Glucose

Normal value = 65-115 MG/DL
Accepted dialysis normal = Same 65-115 MG/DL

Causes of abnormal levels:

Will be slightly higher within 1-3 hours after eating a meal.

Signs and symptoms associated with high levels:

Return to Blood Chemistries


8. Hematocrit (Hct)

Normal value: % of total blood volume made up of red blood cells

Dialysis normal (following Medicare guideline) Causes of abnormal levels: Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels:

Return to Blood Chemistries


9. Magnesium (Mg)

Normal value = 1.7 - 2.3 MG/DL
Dialysis normal = Same 1.7 - 2.3 MG/DL

Causes of abnormal levels:

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels:

Return to Blood Chemistries


10. Sodium (Na)

Normal value = 135 - 147 MEQ/L
Dialysis normal = Same 135 -147 MEQ/L

Causes of abnormal levels:

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels:

Return to | Blood Chemistries | Use the Na-K-Phos Counter |


11.Phosphorus (PO4)

Normal value = 2.5 - 4.5 MG/DL
Dialysis normal = 3.5 - 5.5 MG/DL

Causes of abnormal levels:

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels:

Return to | Blood Chemistries | Use the Na-K-Phos Counter |


12. Potassium

Normal value = 3.5 - 5.4 MEQ/L
Dialysis normal = 4.00 - 6.5 MEQ/L

Causes of abnormal levels:

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels:

Return to | Blood Chemistries | Use the Na-K-Phos Counter |


12. Albumin

Normal value = 3.5 - 5.5 G/DL
Dialysis normal = Above 3.8 G/DL

Return to | Other Tests | Blood Chemistries |


14. Australian Antigen

Normal value = Negative
Dialysis normal = Same

Return to | Other Tests | Blood Chemistries |


15. Ferritin

Normal value = 10 - 350 NG/ML
Dialysis normal = 200 - 500 NG/ML

Return to | Other Tests | Blood Chemistries |


16. Hepatitis Antibody

Normal value = Negative
Dialysis normal = Same

Return to | Other Tests | Blood Chemistries |


17. Total Bilirubin

Normal value = 0.2 - 1.2 MG/DL
Dialysis normal = Same

Return to | Other Tests | Blood Chemistries |


18. Total Protein

Normal value = 6 - 8.5 GM/DL
Dialysis normal = Same

Return to | Other Tests | Blood Chemistries |


19. Urea Reduction Ratio (URR)

Dialysis normal = greater than 65%

Return to | Other Tests | Blood Chemistries |


20. KT/V

Dialysis normal:
Hemodialysis = 1.3 or higher
Peritoneal Dialysis = 2.0 or higher

Return to | Other Tests | Blood Chemistries |


21. Alkaline Phosphatase

Normal value = 30 -115 U/ML
Dialysis normal = Same Alkaline Phosphatase is derived from bone or liver.

Causes of high levels:

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels: Return to | Enzymes | Other Tests | Blood Chemistries |


22. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Normal value = Check "normals" for your lab
Dialysis normal = Same

Causes of abnormal levels:

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels: Return to | Enzymes | Other Tests | Blood Chemistries |


23. SGOT

Normal value = 10 - 50 U/ML
Dialysis normal = Same

Causes of abnormal levels:

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels: Return to | Enzymes | Other Tests | Blood Chemistries |


24. SGPT

Normal value = 7 - 33
Dialysis normal = Same

Causes of abnormal levels:

Signs and symptoms associated with abnormal levels: Return to | Enzymes | Other Tests | Blood Chemistries |