Blood chemistry test

 

Blood Chemistry Tests

Most of the lab reports show the results of blood chemistry tests. These tests measure various chemicals in our blood to see if our bodies to function properly. View Information Sheet (LI) 121 for information about the Complete Blood Count and Fact Sheet 123 for more information on Fat and Blood Sugar Tests.
Each laboratory has a different reference value for the test results. Typically, lab reports show the range and highlight any test results outside the reference value. See Fact Sheet 120 for more information on normal laboratory test results.
Calcium ,
a kind of mineral, is a key element in bones and teeth. Calcium is also needed for nerves and muscles to work properly, as well as for chemical reactions in cells. Our bodies regulate calcium levels in the blood. However, the level of protein in the blood can affect calcium test results (see albumin). Low-calcium test results in people with HIV are usually caused by low protein levels due to malnutrition (malnutrition) or wasting (see Fact Sheet 518 ). Calcium levels may be abnormal due to digestive problems.
Phosphorus
, like calcium, an essential element of bone. Low levels of phosphorus substances for a long time can cause damage to bones, nerves and muscles. High levels of phosphorus substances most commonly caused by kidney failure.
Glucose
is the sugar, described in the cell to create power. See Fact Sheet 123 for information about blood sugar testing.

Electrolyte

Electrolyte related to fluid balance in our cells. They are especially important if you become dehydrated (dehydrated) or kidney problems.

• Levels of substance sodium showed a balance of salt and water. Sodium also shows the merits of the kidneys and glands adrenal us. Generally, the level of sodium abnormal substances in the blood indicates that blood volume is too low (due to dehydration) or too high. This situation can also occur if the heart does not pump blood properly, or kidneys are not working properly.
• Substance potassium affects several major organs including the heart. Potassium levels may increase due to kidney failure, and may be abnormal due to vomiting or diarrhea .
• Levels of substance chloride often rise and fall along with sodium levels. This is because sodium chloride, or salt, is a key element in the blood.
• Bicarbonate shows the system buffer (buffer) in the blood. Normal bicarbonate levels indicate the correct blood acidity. High levels can be caused by the level of lactic acid in the blood.

Kidney Function Tests

Basic tests to measure kidney function is blood urea nitrogen ( blood urea nitrogen / BUN , or sometimes referred to as urea ) and creatinine . Phosphorus levels of the substance, sodium or uric acid abnormalities can also be caused by the kidneys.
BUN measures the levels of blood nitrogen. Nitrogen is a waste product that filtered by the kidneys and excreted in urine. High BUN levels can be caused by a high protein diet, dehydration or kidney or heart failure.
Creatinine is a waste product of protein digestion. High levels in the blood usually indicate kidney problems. Doctors often use the level of creatinine as a sign that most directly demonstrates the ability of the kidneys to remove waste from the body.
For more information about kidney function tests , see Fact Sheet 136 .

Liver Function Tests

Laboratory tests called liver function tests ( liver function test / LFT) actually measure the level of enzyme found in liver, heart and muscle. Enzymes are proteins that cause or enhance the chemical reactions in living organisms. High enzyme levels can indicate liver damage caused by drugs, alcohol, hepatitis , or use drugs .
Patterns of these enzymes - if some of the normal level and the other normal - can help doctors find a specific health problem. Laboratory tests included: ALT (SGPT), AST (SGOT), bilirubin , alkaline phosphatase , GGT and LDH.
For more information on liver function tests, see Fact Sheet 135 .

Other Blood Chemistry Tests

Uric acid is
 formed by the decomposition of DNA , the genetic material in cells. This acid is normally removed by the kidneys. High levels of uric acid is actually quite common. Very high levels can occur when the kidneys are unable to remove uric acid from the blood, or due to leukemia (blood cancer) or lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes - see Fact Sheet 509 ).
Albumin
 is a protein in the blood. These proteins regulate the water balance in cells, transports nutrients to cells and removing waste products. Low albumin levels usually indicate a problem of nutrition.
Because albumin carries so many substances in the blood, low albumin levels can cause low results in other laboratory tests, especially calcium and testosterone .
Globulin
 (also called an immunoglobulin) measures the protein in the antibody produced by the immune system . HIV infection causes a very high level of globulin. Levels usually reported for five types of globulins: IgG, IgA, IgD, IgE and IgM.
Test C-Reactive Protein
(CRP) is another common test for inflammation (see Fact Sheet 484 ). This measure rises and falls faster than the LED (see Fact Sheet 121 ). High CRP levels may indicate a higher risk of heart attack.