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
![DVT](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DVT.jpg)
www.readtiger.com
Prothrombin Time ……. Cirrhosis and Mets
![liver-mets](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/liver-mets.jpg)
www.westondiagnostic.com
![cirrhosis](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cirrhosis.jpg)
www.studyblue.com
ALT ……. Pancreatitis and Cirrhosis
![pancreatitis](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/pancreatitis.jpg)
www.ultrasoundcases.info
![cirrhosis](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cirrhosis.jpg)
www.studyblue.com
WBC …… Appendicitis, splenic abscess
![appendicitis](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/appendicitis.jpg)
www.radrounds.com
Alkaline Phosphatase ….. Hepatitis and Hepatic Obstruction
![hepatitis](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/hepatitis.jpg)
www.studyblue.com
![biliary-dilatation](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/biliary-dilatation.jpg)
www.imgkid.com
AST & ALT ….. Cirrhosis and Hepatitis
![cirrhosis](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cirrhosis.jpg)
www.studyblue.com
![hepatitis](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/hepatitis.jpg)
www.pinsdaddy.com
Bilirubin ….. Gallstones
![gallstones](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/gallstones.jpg)
www.drugster.info
LFTs …… liver injury due to drug overdose
Amylase and WBC … Cholecystitis
![cholecystitis](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cholecystitis.jpg)
www.goldbamboo.com
LFTs …… liver injury due to drug overdose
![pancreatitis](https://sononotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/pancreatitis.jpg)
www.ultrasoundcases.info