Hints to ultrasound findings given by lab values?

Lab values gives sonographers hints/clues to our ultrasound findings and diagnoses. Many times lab values will steer your focus as a sonographer and give you a clue as to what is going on with the patient that you are going to scan. You should appreciate lab values that are given by ordering physician or take a moment to review your patient’s lab values prior to starting their exam.

What do the lab values mean?
Over the years I have noticed many physician associating increased lab values with particular diagnoses.

For example an increase in….. could mean …..

d-dimer ……. DVT

ALT ……. Pancreatitis and Cirrhosis

WBC …… Appendicitis, splenic abscess

AST & ALT ….. Cirrhosis and Hepatitis

Bilirubin ….. Gallstones