23 March 2015 (Monday) - Bright Yellow

This case made me think

HUDSON,ANGUS                                             23/03/2015 12:45       03/04/2013 1 yrs   F  1234567              Infirmary 185 Eaton Square                    Dr Foley Specimen No : AC654321D    Haematology & Chemistry        <PgDn> for later ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 23/03/2015 12:45  Serum/Plasma  Request Reason :     YELLOW   MOTHER GIVES A LITER OF CAROT JUOCE EVERY 24 HOURS  Sodium                         138    mmol/L          (   133 to 146   ) Auth  Potassium                      4.7    mmol/L          (   3.5 to 5.3   ) Auth  Creatinine                     24     umol/L          (    21 to 36    ) Auth  GFR (estimated)                Inappropriate to calculate                Auth  Total Protein                  69     g/L             (    56 to 75    ) Auth  Albumin                        41     g/L             (    30 to 50    ) Auth  Globulin                       28     g/L             (    20 to 35    ) Auth  Total Bilirubin                6      umol/L          (     0 to 22    ) Auth  Alkaline Phosphatase           304    U/L             (    60 to 425   ) Auth  ALT                            11     U/L             (     5 to 45    ) Auth  Haemolysis-Integra             ^1.0                                      Auth  Icterus-Integra                ^70                    (     0 to 85    ) Auth  Lipaemia-Index                 ^0.1                                      Auth

Leaving aside all arguments about use of the word “normal” these results are pretty much “normal”. Bilirubin within acceptable levels, icteric index is fine. Despite the fact the child is bright yellow.

However look at the diagnosis. Sometimes the answer to clinical conditions doesn’t need extensive laboratory investigations