This table outlines some of the common lab tests ordered by endocrinologists & provides some information about them.
| Test | What it means | Average/Normal range |
| Creatinine (Cr) | A waste product of metabolism: excreted by the kidney: if it is ↑means kidney function is lower. | Usually < 1.1 to 1.3 |
| eGFR | An estimate of kidney function. Calculated based on age, gender, Cr, weight may overestimate loss of kidney function | >60-90 depending on protein in the urine |
| Micro-albumin/ Creatinine Ratio | Urine test to determine “early” damage to the kidney from high blood glucose or blood pressure | < 30 mg/ gm |
| Creatinine, urine | Does not directly indicate kidney disease is affected by body size and the volume of the urine | Range ~ 600 mg to ~ 3 grams /day |
| ALT AST Alkaline Phosphatase | Liver enzymes↑ levels may mean liver disease often mild-moderate ↑ in “fatty liver” in overweight or diabetic patients | Usually – but not always- 2-3 x values may indicate medical liver disease. |
| Bilirubin (yellow pigment) | Produced when red blood cells break down. The liver takes it up & excretes it in the bile may be ↑ in liver disease or hemolysis or | ↑ levels in: Liver diseaseHemolysisGilbert syndrome |
| TSH | Measures pituitary hormone that tells the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormone precisely according to our body’s need↑ level means “low thyroid hormone level↓ level means “too much thyroid hormone” | Range (0.5 to 2.5 or so) |
| Free T4 | The actual thyroid hormone level may be “normal” in mild cases of overactive or underactive thyroid | Range (0.8 to 1.8) |
| Free T3 | One of the thyroid hormone (active form)Blood levels is not always reliable and useful if investigating overactive thyroid. | Range (2.4-4.2) |
| A1c | Average blood glucose over the last 3 months | Normal <5.7 Prediabetes: 5.7-6.4 Diabetes: ≥ 6.4 |
| C-peptide | Levels indicate blood insulin levels (↓ type 1 diabetes ↑ insulin resistance) | Range (Fasting) 0.5 to 2 ng/mL |
| Lipid Panel LDL-C HDL-C Triglyceride Cholesterol/HDL ratio | Measures blood fat levels “bad cholesterol good cholesterol” and “other fat” Measures cardiac risk | Desirable LDL-C<100 mg/dL HDL-C>55 mg/dL TG <150-199 mg/dL Chol/HDL<4.0 |
| Testosterone Total T Free T Bioavailable T Levels in MEN | Level of the male sex hormone: Initial test More accurate biologically More consistent /accurate | 300 to 1000 ng/dL6.6 to 21.5pg/mL |
| Female Hormone Levels ESTRADIOL Luteinizing Hormone Follicle Stim Hormone PROGESTERONE | Measures the dominant estrogen Pituitary hormones stimulate ovaries to produce estrogen & progesterone Ovarian hormone useful in checking ovulation | E2: 27 – 161 pg/mL LH: 2 to 10 mIU/mL FSH: 3 to 9mIU/L P4:5-20 ng/mL(Day 21) |
| Prolactin | The pituitary hormone stimulates milk production & and ↑ it reduces LH/FSH & testosterone & estrogen levels. Can be from medications or a pituitary tumour. | Normal <20 ng/mL |
| DHEAS | A weak androgen made by the adrenal gland Decreases by age Mildly ↑ – possibly PCOS Very ↑↑- adrenal tumour | Normal (age dependent) >700 ug/dL – r/o adrenal tumor |
| Cortisol (Blood) | The main hormone (stress hormone) is made by the adrenal gland. Best measured ~8 am. Usually, the normal range may include some patients with adrenal disorders | Normal 5-20 ug/dL (actually ~ 10-20ug/dL) |
| Cortisol (Saliva) Usually at 11 pm at home | At 11 pm, it should be low. ↑ in Cushing syndrome | Normal <0.09 mcg/dL |
| Parathyroid (PTHi) | A hormone which helps the body manage calcium balance. | Normal 14-65 pg/mL |
| CTX (C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen) | The blood test measures bone turnover (bone loss) | Normal 300-600 pg/mL |
| Ferritin | The storage form of Iron. Useful in diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia (usual ferritin will be <30 mcg/L) | Range: Men:24-336 mcg/L Women: 11-307 mcg/L |
This information is for general knowledge & is not a substitute for medical advice your doctor recommends
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