Sooner or later, any person has to donate blood for biochemistry. The norms and interpretation of the results are curious to everyone who receives the results of screening, because this is how you can evaluate how healthy your health is. Entrust reading the results is better for a specialist with a medical education. However, at least out of simple curiosity, it will not be superfluous to sort out the information yourself, having learned what is hidden under the ciphers, codes and abbreviations that can be seen in the decryption accompanying the analysis for biochemistry, which values are considered normal, which go beyond standard limits.
What is it about?
Testing for blood biochemistry, the decoding and rate of indicators of which are so interesting to many, sooner or later almost everyone has to. Biochemical screening is a modern research technique aimed at clarifying the diagnosis and selecting the appropriate therapeutic course. In addition to general practice, such tests are prescribed by rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, and other specialists in narrow medical fields. It is believed that biochemical research provides maximum accurate information about the functionality of different systems and organs of the human body.
The client receives the results of the study on average one day after the delivery of blood samples. The documentation contains numerical indicators of the concentration of various compounds in the circulatory system. In a biochemistry study, deciphering the results is the responsibility of a qualified doctor. Usually the results are read by the doctor who referred the patient to the study. It’s not easy to navigate the abundance of information on your own. Many medical institutions, giving the customer the results of screening, attach to him a brief instruction on decoding biochemistry, indicating the relationship of codes and substances observed in the blood. Often, the content standards for various compounds are written here.
Glucose
Often the main purpose of screening is to check the concentration of sugars in the patient's circulatory system. The presence of glucose reflects the quality of carbohydrate metabolism. Normal parameters are within 5.5 mmol / l, with at least 3.3 units. If the indicator is persistently above the norm, it is likely that a person has diabetes. An increase is observed with Cushing's syndrome and can signal excessive physical activity, regularly observed in a person’s life. A possible explanation for the phenomenon is thyrotoxicosis. An increase in sugar concentration accompanies pheochromocytoma and pathological processes localized in the glands of the endocrine system. With a low glucose concentration, the transcript indicates an insulin overdose. The cause of the condition may be severe poisoning and failure of the endocrine glands. The condition is possible with severe liver damage.
Glucose: features
Hyperglycemia is a term that conceals an excess of glucose in the circulatory system. This condition accompanies sepsis and severe stressful situations. It can indicate trauma or severe pathology, sometimes it is fixed in case of imbalance of hormonal compounds in the body. If there is a suspicion of tumor processes in the pituitary gland, adrenal glands, it is necessary to assign a patient a blood test designed to determine the parameters of biochemistry. Deciphering in adults and children may indicate sugar growth - this is one of the factors confirming the preliminary diagnosis.
With a decrease in sugar content below normal, hypoglycemia is diagnosed. Most often, it is fixed with excessive use of insulin and drugs aimed at reducing the concentration of sugar in the blood - these are people with diabetic diseases. A decrease in sugar content is recorded when the body is depleted. This can be explained by starvation. Hypoglycemia is frequent with adrenal insufficiency, pituitary pathologies. Hypoglycemia is one of the phenomena that accompany tumor processes in the pancreas. Sugar is reduced due to excessive drinking. Hypoglycemia is considered much more dangerous for human life than hyperglycemia.
Pigments
No less important is the content of pigments, also detected during the analysis of blood biochemistry. About the norm and decoding of the results will tell the doctor who sent for research. During screening, how much common, direct bilirubin is determined. For the general standard indicators will be in the range of 3.4-17.1 units. If there is a significant sharp deviation from the average, liver diseases can be suspected. Cirrhosis, hepatitis can provoke a change, although sometimes we are talking about more rare pathologies. A change in the concentration of total bilirubin is observed with jaundice, liver cancer, poisoning, the formation of stones in the gall bladder. Changes recorded by screening may indicate a lack of vitamin B 12 .
The standard direct bilirubin is 0-7.9 μmol / L. If the results of the analysis show a large number, perhaps the person is sick with syphilis or cholecystitis. The result may signal hepatitis due to poisoning or acute viral infection, infection of the liver. Jaundice indicates a similar growth.
Bilirubin: what is it and why?
The duration of the existence of a red blood cell is from a quarter to a third of a year. After this time, the cells are destroyed, and one of the products of such a reaction is bilirubin. Immediately after the destruction of hemoglobin molecules, a dangerous bilirubin appears, which poisons organic tissues. It is always present in blood serum. A toxic compound binds to glucuronic acid. The reaction is localized in the liver. Its result is a relatively safe molecule of bound bilirubin, excreted into the small intestine with bile secretion.
A variety of pathologies lead to an increase in the concentration of various bilirubin fractions. If the patient suffers from active destruction of red blood cells, direct bilirubin growth indicates hemolysis. This is possible with a snakebite and the toxic effects of hazardous substances, with infection of the body. An increase in the concentration of direct bilirubin is characteristic of hepatitis and hepatic pathologies.
An indirect fraction accumulates in the circulatory system if the bile secretion cannot leave the ducts normally. This is often due to the presence of stones or a tumor process. An increase in the concentration of bilirubin can often be diagnosed by the appearance of a person. The skin, sclera acquire a specific icteric shade.
Blood lipid profile
You should know if it is planned to take an analysis for blood biochemistry, decipher indicators associated with fatty inclusions. If metabolic processes involving fat fractions are disturbed, the concentration of lipids or individual fractions increases. Possible increase in the content of all such elements. It is believed that the correct interpretation of the content of these inclusions is especially important, since the values reflect the performance of the liver and kidneys. Non-standard values are a signal of a wide variety of diseases, indicating the need for additional research activities.
The normal concentration of total cholesterol in the circulatory system is 5.2 mmol / L.
Triglycerides in the blood should be at least 0.34 units, but not more than 2.7. The standard values for this parameter are determined by the age group of the patient.
Liquid and mineral balance
The determination of the content of these elements and their relationship to each other is one of the important tasks of the study of blood biochemistry. Norms, interpretation of the analysis - the domain of knowledge of a professional, but general information can be extracted from sources accessible to everyone. In particular, it is known that the circulatory system of the human body is saturated with inorganic inclusions. Normally, folic acid should be contained, iron molecules and potassium, calcium inclusions should be present here. For the body to function properly, chlorine molecules and phosphorus, sodium compounds are required. If the balance of liquids and salts is disturbed, it is possible that the cause of the phenomenon was a diabetic disease or heart disorders. Disruptions of this kind are observed with hepatic cirrhosis.
Potassium in the circulatory system should be present in an amount of 3.5-5.5 mmol / L. If screening shows high values, hyperkalemia is diagnosed. Often it is observed with hemolysis, dehydration, insufficient functioning of the kidneys in the acute form, as well as incorrect and too weak adrenal gland function. A decrease in potassium concentration is called hypokalemia. It may indicate renal impairment, an excess of hormones secreted by the adrenal glands. Hypokalemia is an indicator of cystic fibrosis.
About other minerals
When conducting a study on the general biochemistry of blood, the transcript will contain information on the concentration of sodium compounds. Normal are considered indicators in the range of 136-145 mmol / l. If the parameter turned out to be more significant, the probability of failure of the functionality of the adrenal cortex is high. This may indicate diseases of the hypothalamus.
Chlorine must be present in the circulatory system in an amount of 98-107 mmol liter. If the upper limit is exceeded, the cause may have been dehydration. The results of the analysis make it possible to suspect a malfunction of the adrenal cortex or salicylate poisoning. A reduced content of chlorine compounds is often recorded with excessive activity of sweat glands and copious vomiting. Such a violation is observed when too much fluid accumulates in the body.
Proteins and Protein Fractions
When studying the results of a study on biochemistry, the decoding of the analysis in terms of protein content deserves special attention. This substance in the blood serum of an adult should normally be no more than 64-83 mmol per liter. It is known from medical statistics that a decrease in this parameter is more often diagnosed. This research outcome is the basis for diagnosing hypoproteinemia. The condition is explained by the lack of protein fractions in food. A similar phenomenon is manifested by large burns and severe infection. Sometimes hypoproteinemia is fixed in sepsis and pancreatic diseases, liver damage and pathological processes affecting different parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
Hyperproteinemia, that is, a condition in which the blood protein is more than normal, is observed much less frequently. It usually accompanies severe dehydration and thickening of the blood. The specific gravity of the components becomes larger, respectively, the percentage of protein inclusions increases. There is a likelihood of a more serious condition leading to this change - cirrhosis or a tumor process that affects the blood-forming organs. Excess protein is possible with a number of blood diseases.
About proteins: pay attention
Of course, when obtaining screening results, it is important to pay attention to deciphering the results. Blood biochemistry in adults and children gives an idea of the processes occurring in organisms, but not all screening results are equally informative. In particular, the concentration of protein inclusions provides quite a bit of really accurate and useful information. For the diagnosis of diseases, information on the content of individual fractions of the protein: globulins, albumin is much more useful. The former are distinguished by their relatively high weight; they account for about a third of the total protein volume. Albumin mass is less, and the share among all proteins is up to 65%. Globulins are divided into three types: alpha, beta, gamma.
When forming the results of screening, the ratio of the concentration of albumin to globulins must be calculated. For this coefficient, normal indicators vary between 1.5-2.5. If the concentration of protein in the blood decreases, usually a decrease in the content of albumin is observed with a relative increase in the proportion of globulins. The ratio of these fractions is reduced. If it is above the norm, the result of the study has no practical value.
Transaminases
Based on the results of a blood test for biochemistry, the transcript of the analysis will include information on the concentration of aminotransferase, transaminase. These words indicate hepatic enzymes, due to which metabolic intracellular processes occur. Biochemical analysis reveals the content of two varieties of transaminases: AST, ALT. Aminotransferases are enzymes detected within the cell, respectively, in the blood serum are contained in a relatively small amount. The norm for AST is considered to be 0.1-0.68 μmol / ml * h. ALT is considered normal if the test result is in the range of 0.1-0.45.
The increase in the parameter can be explained by cytolysis syndrome, that is, active cell death. This is often recorded with a heart attack, liver disease, severe toxic effects of aggressive substances, against the background of which they are actively destroyed, and liver cells die. Liver diseases often lead to an increase in ALT. Cardiac infarction usually manifests itself in an increase in AST concentration.
If the patient received a significant burn or suffered a serious injury, it is necessary to conduct a study to monitor the condition, taking into account the standards of biochemistry (blood test). Decoding in adults, children will include information on the increase in transaminases. Tumors and infection show the same sign. Violation of the concentration of compounds is observed if a person has undergone a serious operation. Sometimes laboratory studies allow you to determine the content of enzyme inclusions in units per liter. You can use the system of international units. When using this method of reflecting results in women, screening should contain indicators up to 30 units, in men, the norm should be up to 40.
Urea
When conducting an analysis for biochemistry, the decryption will contain information about the amount of this substance. Numerous reactions occur in the human body, including the generation of proteins and their destruction. Such processes proceed continuously. A certain amount of protein enters the body with food. A small proportion of them rot in the intestinal tract, which is accompanied by the generation of ammonia. This substance is released during protein breakdown. It belongs to the category of especially dangerous, adversely affects organic tissues even at a comparatively low concentration. A particularly aggressive effect on the brain. Nature provides protection against ammonia. All the secreted compound with the bloodstream enters the liver cells, where biochemical reactions of transformation into urea are initiated. These molecules are harmless to humans and do not have toxicity. Urea with blood flow moves to the kidneys and is eliminated by urine. A relatively small amount remains in the kidneys and is absorbed into the blood. Due to this process, a certain percentage of urea can be detected at any time in the circulatory system.
Urea: features
In the study on blood biochemistry, the transcript contains information on the concentration of reabsorbed urea. Normally, the parameter varies between 2.4-8.3 mmol / L. Specific standards are determined by age. Minimum quantities are inherent in children, and persons of an advanced age group are relatively high. If the analysis shows a value significantly higher than normal, the ability of the kidneys to excrete a substance with urine is probably impaired. Perhaps the results of the study indicate a failure of this body. With such a violation, normal elimination of urea is impossible. A similar phenomenon is signaled by the insufficiency of the heart, against which the blood flow in the kidney area weakens.
If, when conducting studies on blood biochemistry, decoding shows an increased urea content, it is possible that the active processes of the destruction of protein molecules in the body became the cause of the phenomenon. They are possible due to severe trauma or a severe burn received by a person, observed with aggressive infection and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. A moderate increase in the parameter is possible with exercise, the ingestion of an abundance of animal proteins of plant origin. Urea growth can accompany dehydration, increased blood density.Parameters below the norm are observed if there is a pathological process in the intestinal tract, liver. There may be a violation of the processes of generating urea from ammonia or against the background of a decrease in the body's ability to absorb proteins with food. Often, a reduced content of the substance is recorded in people who eat strictly plant foods.
Creatinine
. . . , . . , . 44—141 /, 88—177 /. .
. , , . , . , .
. – 25-100 . , . , . . . .
, . . - , . . , .
A reduced concentration of this enzyme may indicate degradation of the tissues that form the pancreas. Most often, pancreatic necrosis is due to addiction to alcohol.
Cholesterol
If, according to the results of a blood biochemistry study, the transcript in adults indicates an cholesterol content in the range of 5.17 mmol / L, it is generally considered that human health is in order, as the parameter is normal. But what does this mean? The word "cholesterol" itself is known to many, but not every person is guided in the essence of the term. It refers to a substance produced by the liver tissue and in the intestinal tract. It is formed as a result of the transformation of lipids, proteins. Cholesterol belongs to the class of lipoproteins. A certain percentage of the substance enters the body with food, while plant food contains very little. It is customary to associate plaques and cholesterol, but the term is more voluminous and includes not only the compound, due to which the vascular lumens overlap. Lipoproteins are divided by level of density. High-density - elements of cell membranes necessary for metabolism. They are important for generating active compounds, including hormonal regulation of the reproductive system. Low-density, very low-density fractions are the cause of atherosclerosis and similar health problems.
With a change in milligrams per deciliter of blood, the norm is considered a cholesterol indicator within 200 units. Specific figures can be found by doing a study on blood biochemistry. Decoding in adults always attracts special attention with parameters reflecting cholesterol levels. Dangerous fractions normally account for no more than half. If their value rises to 160 units, atherosclerosis is diagnosed.
Ion balance
In the analysis of biochemistry, decoding will show the presence of important microscopic elements. In the circulatory system, such inclusions are observed in the form of ions that actively enter into metabolic reactions. The most important are the parameters reflecting the concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium. For the first, the content in the amount of 135-145 mmol / l is considered adequate, for the second the norm is from 3.4 to 5.3. The standard concentration of calcium is in the range of 2.23-2.57.
Iron ions should be contained in an amount of 9-31.3. For magnesium, the minimum boundary is 0.75 units, the maximum is 1.26. Standards of folic acid - in the range of 10-12 units. Phosphorus in the circulatory system should be present in an amount of 0.87–1.45 units; for chlorine, normal values are in the range of 98-107 units.
If, according to the results of a biochemistry study, the decryption contains indicators that differ from the standard norm, it is necessary to look for this reason. There are a lot of factors provoking violations; you can suspect an infection or a malfunction of the digestive tract. Imbalance is observed with vomiting, excessive loose stools or too active excretion of fluid by the kidneys. According to doctors, any pathology provokes some kind of imbalance in the ions.
Special occasion: children
Tests are prescribed not only for adults, sometimes babies are also shown a study of blood biochemistry. Decoding in children is made taking into account specific norms. So, for babies up to a year, the protein content in the range of 47-72 units is considered normal, for adolescents the upper norm rises to 76.
Amylase in the blood of children should be:
- from birth to a year - at the level of 8 units / l;
- up to two years - 5-65 units / l;
- older than two years - 25-125 units / l.
If, after research on biochemistry, the decryption in a month-old child contains glucose parameters within 4.7 units, this can be considered the norm. For one-year-olds, the maximum norm rises to 6.1.
For a month old, the standard of cholesterol is 1.6-3 mmol / l, for a one-year-old - up to 4.5.