Blood Testing Protocols
Helicobactor (Campylobacter) Pylori, Immunoglobulin M
This test is used as an aid in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection and gastric and duodenal disease.
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Reference Ranges: |
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Negative: |
<0.8 U/mL |
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Equivocal: |
0.8–1.19 U/mL |
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Positive: |
>1.19 U/mL |
Hemoglobin A1C
This test is most frequently used to assess glucose control in insulin-dependent diabetic patients whose glucose levels are very labile.
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Reference Range: |
4.8–5.6% |
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Increased risk for diabetes: |
5.7–6.4% |
| Diabetes: |
> 6.5% |
| Glycemic control for adults with diabetes: |
< 7.0% |
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Optimal: |
< 4.5% |
Hepatitis Panel (A, B, C), Acute
This test is used as a comprehensive panel for detecting markers for hepatitis A, B, and C virus infections and is used for all stages of infection.
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Reference Range: |
Negative or Positive |
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(Interpretation included) |
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody, Qualitative
This test is useful for evaluation of possible immunity in individuals who are at increased risk of exposure to hepatitis B.
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Normal Range: |
Negative or Positive |
Hepatitis C Virus Antibody
This test is used to assess exposure to hepatitis C virus infection.
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Reference Range: |
Negative or Positive |
Homocysteine
This test is intended for use in screening patients who may be at risk for heart disease and stroke. Homocysteine has been shown to be an independent risk factor for the premature development of coronary artery disease and thrombosis.
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Reference Range: |
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Men: |
4.3–11.4 µmol/L |
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Women: |
3.3–10.4 µmol/L |
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Optimal: |
< 7–8 µmol/L |
Studies have shown that even moderate levels of homocysteine pose an increased risk for arteriosclerosis compared with the 20 percent of the population at least risk for arteriosclerosis.
Insulin Fasting
This test is used for insulin measurement in patients with fasting hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. High fasting insulin is a sign of insulin resistance and the start of Type-II diabetes or syndrome X.
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Reference Range: |
2.6–24.9 µIU/mL |
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LE’s Optimal Range: |
< 5 µIU/mL |
Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b)
This test is used to identify elevated levels of interleukin-1 beta, which have been implicated in sepsis, cachexia, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic myelogenous leukemia, asthma, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, anorexia, AIDS, physical stress, anxiety and panic disorders, and graft-versus-host disease associated with bone marrow transplants. Higher-than-normal levels of IL-1b have been associated with a significant increased risk of myocardial infarction independent of cardio-CRP levels.
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Reference Range: |
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IL-1B |
<2.9 pg/mL |
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
This test is used to identify elevated levels of interleukin-6. Elevated IL-6 serum or plasma levels may occur in sepsis, autoimmune diseases, lymphomas, AIDS, alcoholic liver disease, tumor development, Alzheimer’s disease, and in concert with infections or transplant rejection. Elevated levels of IL-6 may be associated with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
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Reference Range: |
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IL-6: |
0–14 pg/mL |
Interleukin-8 (IL-8)
This test is used to identify elevated levels of IL-8. Elevated concentrations are observed in psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic polyarthritis, tumor development, and hepatitis C.
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Reference Range: |
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IL-8 |
7.8 pg/mL |
Iron and Total Iron Binding (TIB)
This test is used in the diagnosis of anemia. TIB levels are often used to monitor the course of patients receiving hyperalimentation.
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Reference Range: |
40–180 µg/dL |
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LE’s Optimal Range: |
40–100 mg/dL |
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TIBC: |
250–420 mg/dL |
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
This test is used to determine acromegaly, in which somatomedin-C and insulin-like growth factor is increased. It is also used to evaluate hypopituitarism. Low values may indicate hypopituitarism, malnutrition, diabetes mellitus, Laron dwarfism, hypothyroidism, maternal deprivation syndrome, pubertal delay, cirrhosis, hepatoma, anorexia nervosa, nonfunctioning pituitary tumors, constitutional delay of growth, and some cases of short stature. High values occur with adolescence, true precocious puberty, pregnancy, obesity, pituitary gigantism, acromegaly, and diabetic retinopathy.
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Reference Ranges: |
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20 years |
127–424 ng/mL |
51–55 years |
87–238 ng/mL |
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21–25 years |
116–358 ng/mL |
56–60 years |
81–225 ng/mL |
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26–30 years |
117–329 ng/mL |
61–65 years |
75–212 ng/mL |
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31–35 years |
115–307 ng/mL |
66–70 years |
69–200 ng/mL |
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36–40 years |
109–284 ng/mL |
71–75 years |
64–188 ng/mL |
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41–45 years |
101–267 ng/mL |
76–80 years |
59–177 ng/mL |
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46–50 years |
94–252 ng/mL |
81–85 years |
55–166 ng/mL |
Lipase
This test is used to diagnose pancreatitis or inflammatory bowel disease. An injured or diseased pancreas will produce abnormal amounts of this enzyme.
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Reference Range: |
0–59 U/L |
Lipoprotein (a)
This test is used to measure excess small dense lipoprotein. Elevated lipoprotein (a) is a strong indicator of premature coronary disease and atherosclerotic vascular disease and is associated with increased risk of cardiac death in patients with acute coronary syndromes and coronary bypass procedures.
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Reference Ranges: |
0–30 mg/dL |
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Desirable: |
<20mg/dL |
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Borderline High Risk: |
20–30 mg/dL |
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High Risk: |
31–50 mg/dL |
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Very High Risk: |
>50 mg/dL |
Magnesium (Serum)
This test is used to evaluate magnesium levels. Decreased levels of magnesium have been associated with cardiac arrhythmias, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, long-term hyperalimentation, intravenous therapy, diabetes mellitus (especially during treatment of ketoacidosis), alcoholism and other types of malnutrition, malabsorption, hyperparathyroidism, dialysis, pregnancy, and hyperaldosteronism. Magnesium deficiency produces neuromuscular disorders causing weakness, tremors, tetany, and convulsions. Renal loss of magnesium occurs with cis-platinum therapy. Increased magnesium levels relate mostly to individuals in renal failure or with Addison’s disease. Marked increases may be found in individuals who take magnesium salts (e.g., antacids, which contain magnesium) or magnesium-containing cathartics and in pregnant woman with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia who are receiving magnesium sulfate as an anticonvulsant. High magnesium levels are manifested in decreased reflexes, somnolence, and heart block.
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Reference Range: |
1.6–2.6 mg/dL |
Magnesium (Rbc)
This test is used to evaluate magnesium deficiency.
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Reference Range: |
4.2–6.8 mg/dL |
Male Panel
This panel consists of a chemistry panel, CBC, free testosterone, DHEA-S, PSA, estradiol, homocysteine, and cardiac CRP. Each of these tests is described separately.
MHMP
This panel consists of a male panel + total testosterone, progesterone, FSH and LH, and TSH. Each of these tests is described separately.
Osteocalcin
This test is used to evaluate bone disease characterized by increased bone turnover. Osteocalcin has been found to be elevated in Paget disease of the bone, cancer accompanied by bone metastases, primary hyperparathyroidism, and renal osteodystrophy. Osteocalcin levels may also be used to monitor therapeutic results.
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Reference Ranges: |
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Men: |
3.2–39.6 ng/mL |
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Premenopausal Women: |
4.9–30.9 ng/mL |
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Postmenopausal Women: |
9.4–47.4 ng/mL |
Parathyroid Hormone, Intact
This test is used in diagnosing parathyroid disease, diagnosing and monitoring other diseases of calcium homeostasis, and monitoring patients undergoing renal dialysis.
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Intact Parathyroid Hormone |
Calcium |
Interpretation |
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12–65 pg/mL |
8.5–10.6 mg/dL |
Normal |
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>65 pg/mL |
>10.6 mg/dL |
Primary Hyperparathyroidism |
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>65 pg/mL |
<10.6 mg/dL |
Secondary Hyperparathyroidism |
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<65 pg/mL |
>10.6 mg/dL |
Nonparathyroid Hypercalcemia |
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<12 pg/mL |
<8.5 mg/dL |
Hypoparathyroidism |
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12–65 pg/mL |
<8.5 mg/dL |
Nonparathyroid Hypocalcemia |
Pregnenolone
This test is used to determine ovarian failure, hirsutism, adrenal carcinoma, and Cushing’s syndrome.
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Reference Ranges: |
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Men: |
10–200 ng/dL |
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Women: |
10–230 ng/dL |
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LE’s Optimal Range: |
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| Men: |
125–175 ng/dL; max 200 ng/dL |
| Women: |
130–180 ng/dL; max 230 ng/dL |
Progesterone
This test is used to establish the presence of a functional corpus luteum, or luteal cell function, confirm body temperature for occurrence of ovulation, obtain indication of day of ovulation, evaluate the functional state of corpus luteum in infertile patients, assess placental function during pregnancy, and evaluate ovarian function.
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Reference Ranges: |
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Men: |
0.2–1.4 ng/mL |
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Women: |
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Follicular: |
0.2–1.5 ng/mL |
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Luteal: |
1.7–27.0 ng/mL |
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Ovulation: |
0.8–3.0 ng/mL |
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Menopausal: |
0.1–0.8 ng/mL |
| Optimal: |
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| Men: |
1–1.2 ng/mL |
| Women: |
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| Still having menstrual cycle: |
18–27 ng/mL (at day 21) |
| Menopause: |
2–6 ng/mL |
| Max: |
27 ng/mL |
Prolactin
This test is used to assess inappropriate lactation and is also useful in the detection of prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors. Elevated prolactin is associated with anovulation and amenorrhea. Prolactin can also be elevated in hypothyroidism when TSH is high. Some studies indicate that elevated prolactin may promote breast and prostate cancer growth.
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Reference Ranges: |
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Men: |
2.1–17.7 ng/mL |
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LE’s Optimal Range: |
2.1–5 ng/mL |
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Women: |
2.8–29.2 ng/mL |
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LE’s Optimal Range: |
2.8–7 ng/mL |
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Nonpregnant: |
2.8–29.2 ng/mL |
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Pregnant: |
9.7–208.5 ng/mL |
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Postmenopausal: |
1.8–20.3 ng/mL |
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
PSA is produced by normal, hyperplastic, and cancerous prostatic tissue. Serum PSA has been found to be the most sensitive marker for monitoring patients with prostate cancer and to enhance efficacy in monitoring progression of disease and response to therapy.
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Reference Range: |
0–4.0 ng/mL |
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LE’s Optimal Range: |
0–2.5 ng/mL |