Manual of Clinical Nutrition

Laboratory Indices of Nutrition Status

Manual of Clinical Nutrition Management II- 19 Copyright © 2013 Compass Group, Inc.

Test Purpose/Definition Normal Range Discussion
Vitamin Status
25 -
Hydroxyvitamin D

Vitamin D status 30 to 70 ng/mL^6 Decreased values occur with:

Hypocalcemia

Osteomalacia

Osteoporosis

Increased values occur with: Hypercalcemia,

hypercalcuria, soft tissue calcification

Hematologic Status
Red blood cells
(RBCs)

Measures the number of RBCs in

whole blood

M: 4.5 – 6.0

million/mm^3

F: 4.0 – 5.5

million/mm^3

Decreased values occur with:

anemia chronic infection

leukemia

Increased values occur with: dehydration

Hemoglobin
(Hgb)

Part of the red blood cells that

carries oxygen and carbon dioxide

in the blood

M: 13 – 18 g/100 dL

F: 12 – 16 g/100 dL

Men’s Hgb may drop 1 – 2 g/100 mL with age. Women

have no documented change. Although Hgb declines with

age, other signs should be reviewed, eg, pale skin, pale

conjunctiva.

Hematocrit (HCT) Measures the percent of RBCs in
the total blood volume

M: 42% – 52%

F: 37% – 47%

Values may decrease slightly in the elderly

Mean corpuscular
hemoglobin
concentration
(MCHC)

Measures the concentration of Hgb

per unit of red blood cells

32% – 36% Values <30 indicate advanced iron deficiency anemia

Mean corpuscular
volume (MCV)

Measures the average size of the

RBC

80 – 95 mm^3 Increased values indicate pernicious anemia. Decreased
values indicate iron deficient anemia.
Ferritin Provides an index of iron stores in
iron deficiency and iron overload

M: 12 – 300 g/L

F: 10 – 150 g/L

Significantly higher in mend and post menopausal women.
Decreased values occur with iron or protein deletion.
Increased values occur with iron excess.
Prothrombin time
(PT)

Measures velocity of blood clotting

and is an indirect measure of

vitamin K status

Adults: 11 – 12.5

seconds 85% – 100%

of control

Increased values occur with:

vitamin K deficiency (common in elderly and

hospitalized)

liver disease fat malabsorption

medication therapy (antibodies, anticoagulants,

aspirin)

PT >25 seconds is associated with major bleeding

References

1. Fuhrman MP, Charney P, Mueller CM. Hepatic proteins and nutrition assessment. J Am Diet Assoc. 2004;104:1258-1264.


2. Gabay C, Kushner I. Acute –phase proteins and other systemic responses to inflammation. N Eng J Med. 1999; 340:448-454.


3. Mueller C. True or false: serum hepatic protein concentrations measure nutritional status. Support Line. 2004;26:8-16.


4. International Dietetics & Nutrition Terminology (IDNT) Reference Manual. 4th ed. Chicago, Ill: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;
   2012.


5. White J, Guenter P, Jenson G, Malone A, Schofield M; the Academy Malnutrition Work Group; the A.S.P.E.N. Malnutrition Task Force;
   and the A.S.P.E.N. Board of Directors. Consensus Statement of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for
   Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: Characteristics recommended for the identification and documentation of adult malnutrition
   (Undernutrition). J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012;112:730-738.


6. Javorsky B, Maybee N, Padia SH, Dalkin AC. Vitamin D deficiency in gastrointestinal disease. Practical Gastroenterology. March
   2006;52-72.