Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests: Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis (1256 page)

   Differential diagnosis of anemias

   Interpretation

Increased In

   Iron deficiency anemia; inversely proportional to iron stores

   Pregnancy, estrogen therapy, hyperestrogenism

Decreased In

   Hypochromic microcytic anemia of chronic disease

   Acute inflammation

   Protein deficiency or loss (e.g., burns, chronic infections, chronic diseases [e.g., various liver and kidney diseases, neoplasms], nephrosis, malnutrition)

   Limitations

   Transferrin in CSF appears in its desialated form, the Tau protein (beta- 2-transferin). This form can be identified electrophoretically. The clinical application for identification of Tau protein is in the investigation of rhinorrhea or otorrhea, where its presence confirms the source of CSF leakage through a fracture or operative or traumatic site.

   Partly desialated transferrin is a marker for heavy alcohol ingestion.

TRIGLYCERIDES

   Definition

   Triglycerides are a form of fat and a major source of energy for the body. Most triglycerides are stored in adipose tissue as glycerol, monoglycerides, and fatty acids, and the liver converts these to triglycerides. Following eating, increased levels of triglycerides are found in the blood. Triglycerides move via the blood from the gut to adipose tissue for storage. Most triglycerides are carried in the blood by lipoproteins. Of the total triglycerides, about 80% are in VLDLs and 15% in LDLs, which play an important role in metabolism as energy sources and transporters of dietary fat.

   
Normal ranges:
see Table 16.80.