{"id":6562,"date":"2026-06-03T14:18:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T18:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/?post_type=chapter&p=6562"},"modified":"2026-06-09T15:22:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T19:22:58","slug":"diagnostic-tests-blood-biomarkers","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/chapter\/diagnostic-tests-blood-biomarkers\/","title":{"raw":"Section 11:\u00a0 Diagnostic Tests - Blood Biomarkers","rendered":"Section 11:\u00a0 Diagnostic Tests – Blood Biomarkers"},"content":{"raw":"Changes in blood composition provide valuable diagnostic clues about the cause and extent of cellular damage:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Inflammatory plasma proteins<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\nDamaged cells stimulate increased<\/strong> production of prothrombin, fibrinogen, C-reactive proteins (CRP)<\/strong>, and plasminogen<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Antibodies and complement proteins<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\nRise during infection.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
RBC count & Hemoglobin<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\nOxygen-carrying capacity\r\n\r\nErythrocytopenia (reduced RBCs) \u2192 blood loss, sickle cell anemia, deficiency in iron, vitamin B12<\/sub>, folate, amino acids.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
WBC differential<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\nNeutrophilia (elevated neutrophils) \u2192 bacterial infection;\r\n\r\nEosinophilia \u2192 helminth infection; <\/span>\r\n\r\nLymphocytosis (elevated lymphocytes) <\/span>\u2192\u00a0viral infection.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThrombocytopenia \u2192 bone marrow depression<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Liver enzymes<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\nDamaged hepatocytes release liver enzymes (e.g., ALT, GGT and AST) into the bloodstream.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Cardiac proteins<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\nDamaged cardiomyocytes (in myocardial infarction) release cardiac troponin, actin, myosin, and creatine kinase into the bloodstream.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Hormones<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\nMeasure of endocrine production<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Nutrients<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\nMonitor for any dietary deficiencies<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Wastes<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\nReflects organ function involved in waste removal<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

<\/h3>","rendered":"

Changes in blood composition provide valuable diagnostic clues about the cause and extent of cellular damage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Inflammatory plasma proteins<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nDamaged cells stimulate increased<\/strong> production of prothrombin, fibrinogen, C-reactive proteins (CRP)<\/strong>, and plasminogen<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Antibodies and complement proteins<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nRise during infection.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RBC count & Hemoglobin<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nOxygen-carrying capacity<\/p>\n

Erythrocytopenia (reduced RBCs) \u2192 blood loss, sickle cell anemia, deficiency in iron, vitamin B12<\/sub>, folate, amino acids.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

WBC differential<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nNeutrophilia (elevated neutrophils) \u2192 bacterial infection;<\/p>\n

Eosinophilia \u2192 helminth infection; <\/span><\/p>\n

Lymphocytosis (elevated lymphocytes) <\/span>\u2192\u00a0viral infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thrombocytopenia \u2192 bone marrow depression<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Liver enzymes<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nDamaged hepatocytes release liver enzymes (e.g., ALT, GGT and AST) into the bloodstream.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cardiac proteins<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nDamaged cardiomyocytes (in myocardial infarction) release cardiac troponin, actin, myosin, and creatine kinase into the bloodstream.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hormones<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nMeasure of endocrine production<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nutrients<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nMonitor for any dietary deficiencies<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wastes<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nReflects organ function involved in waste removal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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