Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests: Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis (1281 page)

   Retroperitoneal histiocytoma

   CHF

   Limitations

   This test should not be requested in patients who have recently received radioisotopes, therapeutically or diagnostically, because of potential assay interference.

VISCOSITY, SERUM

   Definition

   Blood viscosity is a measure of the resistance of blood to flow due to any stress. Changes in the concentration of one or more blood protein fractions will result in a change in viscosity. Blood or serum viscosity can, therefore, be used both as a diagnostic tool for the presence of diseases known to alter the proteins and as a measure of the extent of the condition.

   
Normal range:
1.10–1.80 cP (relative to water).

   Use

   Evaluate hyperviscosity syndrome associated with monoclonal gammopathy states (myeloma, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, and other dysproteinemias), including RA, SLE, and hyperfibrinogenemia.

   Interpretation

Increased In

   Increased leukocyte count

   Thrombocytosis

   Hyperlipoproteinemia