Know Your Numbers- Lab Interpretation

Let's learn what certain critical lab values mean:

1. Serum Calcium- Normal 8.2-10.2
<6 Vitamin D or parathyroid hormone deficiency, tetany, seizures
>13 Hyperparathyroidism

2. Ammonia- Normal 15-110 mcg
<15 Renal failure
>50 Hepatic coma, GI bleeding, Reye's syndrome, heart failure

3. Sodium- Normal 135-145
<120 Diuretic therapy, cardiac failure
>145 Dehydration, vascular collapse