Critical Care Self-Assessment Program

Reference Values for Common Laboratory Testsa

SERUM CHEMISTRIES REFERENCE RANGE HEMATOLOGY/COAGULATION REFERENCE RANGE
Albumin 3.5–5.0 g/dL (adults) Hematocrit (Hct) 14–18 g/dL (men)
3.4–4.2 g/dL (children 1–3 years) 12–16 g/dL (women)
Ammonia 30–70 mcg/dL Hemoglobin (Hgb) 14–18 g/dL (men)

Amylase 60–180 U/L 12–16 g/dL (women) 27–33 pg/cell

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 0–35 IU/L International normalized ratio (INR) 0.9–1.1
Alkaline phosphatase (ALK) Varies with age: Mean corpuscular hemoglobin 27–33 pg/cell
30–120 IU/L (adults) (MCH)
150–420 IU/L (children)
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin 33–36 g/dL
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 8–42 IU/L concentration (MCHC)

Bilirubin, direct 0.1–0.3 mg/dL Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 80–960 fL/cell

Bilirubin, total 0.3–1.0 mg/dL Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) 21–45 seconds

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 8–20 mg/dL (adults) Platelet count (Plt) 150,000–450,000/mm3
Lower in children Prothrombin time (PT) 10–13 seconds
Calcium, ionized 4.4–5.1 mg/dL Red blood cell count (RBC) 4.5–5.9 × 10 6 cells/mm3 (men)
Calcium, total serum 8.5–10.8 mg/dL 4.1–5.1 × 10 6 cells/mm3 (women)

Carbon dioxide (venous) (CO 2) 24–30 mEq/L Reticulocyte count 0.5%–2.5%

Chloride (Cl) 96–106 mEq/L White blood cell count (WBC) 4.4–11.3 × 103 cells/mm3

C-reactive protein (CRP) < 0.8 mg/dL

Creatine kinase (CK) 25–90 IU/L (men) SERUM LIPIDS REFERENCE RANGE
10–70 IU/L (women) Cholesterol, total (TC) < 200 mg/dL
Creatinine, serum (SCr) 0.7–1.5 mg/dL (adults) High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) > 40 mg/dL
0.2–0.7 mg/dL (children)
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) < 130 mg/dL
Creatinine (clearance) (CrCl) 90–140 mL/minute/1.73m2
Triglycerides (TG) < 150 mg/dL
Ferritin 22–322 ng/mL
BLOOD GASES ARTERIAL VENOUS
γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase 0–30 IU
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Pco2) 35–45 mm Hg 42–55 mm Hg
Glucose, serum 70–110 mg/dL
Partial pressure of oxygen (Po2) > 70 (80–100 mm 30–50 mm Hg
Hemoglobin A1C 4%–6%
Hg)
(glycolated hemoglobin) (A1C)
Oxygen saturation (Sao2) > 90% 60%–85%
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) 100–210 IU/L
Serum bicarbonate (HCO 3) 24–30 mEq/L 24–28 mEq/L
Lipase < 160 U/L
URINALYSIS
Magnesium 1.5–2.2 mEq/L
Leukocyte esterase, nitrite, protein, blood, Negative
Osmolality, serum 280–295 mOsm/kg ketones, bilirubin, glucose
Phosphorus (inorganic) (PO 4) 2.6–4.5 mg/dL (adults)
pH 4.5–8.0
3.8–6.5 mg/dL (children)
Specific gravity 1.010–1.025
Potassium (K) 3.5–5.0 mEq/L

Prealbumin 20–36 mg/dL

Sodium (Na) 135–145 mEq/L

Uric acid, serum 3.4–7 mg/dL (men)

2.4–6 mg/dL (women)

a
Values given in this table are commonly accepted reference ranges compiled from many sources. Patient-specific goals may differ depending on age, sex, clinical condition, and the laboratory methodology used
to perform the assay.
Information from AMA Manual of Style, 10th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007; Ayers P, Warrington L. Diagnosis and treatment of simple acid-base disorders. Nutr Clin Pract 2008;23:122-7; DiPiro JT,
Talbert RL, Yee GC, et al., eds. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical, 2011; Lee M. Basic Skills in Interpreting Laboratory Data, 4th ed. Bethesda, MD: American
Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 2009; and MUSC Health, Laboratory Services. Test Directory and Specimen Collection Handbook. Charleston, SC: MUSC Pathology and Laboratory Services, 2008–2009.

Common Medical Abbreviations

AIDS Acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome
AUC Area under the curve
BMI Body mass index
Complete blood cell count
CDC Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
CNS Central nervous system
CSF Cerebrospinal fluid
CT Computed tomography
CYP Cytochrome P450 MIC Minimal inhibitory concentration
ECG Electrocardiogram, electrocardio- MRI Magnetic resonance imaging
graphic, electrocardiography NSAID Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
ED Emergency department OR Odds ratio
FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration OTC Over-the-counter
GI Gastrointestinal PCR Polymerase chain reaction
HIV Human immunodeficiency virus RR Relative risk
HLA antigen Human leukocyte antigen UTI Urinary tract infection
HR Hazard ratio WHO World Health Organization
ICU Intensive care unit 95% CI 95% confidence interval