CHEMISTRY CHEAT SHEET

INFORMATION CITED FROM IDEXX LABS & MERCK/MERIAL MANUAL

ALB – Albumin is a protein that is produced by the liver. Reduced levels of this protein can potentially
point out liver/kidney disease, intestinal parasite or intestinal disease. Elevated levels could indicate
dehydration.

ALKP- Alkaline Phosphatase is an enzyme produced by the cells lining the gall bladder and its associated
ducts. Elevated levels could indicate bile obstruction or Cushing’s disease. This enzyme is normally
higher in younger animals due to bone growth.

ALT- Alanine aminotransferase is a specific liver enzyme. Elevated results could indicate liver disease and
correlate with the number of liver cells (hepatocytes) affected.

AMYL- Amylase is produced by the pancreas and aids in digestion. Elevated levels could indicate
pancreatic and/or kidney disease.

AST- Aspartate aminotransferase is a useful indicator of liver and/or muscle injury. This chemistry was
formally known as SGOT.

BUN- Blood Urea Nitrogen is produced by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Abnormal levels can
indicate dehydration, and/or kidney/liver problems.

Ca- Calcium – Elevated levels could indicate dehydration, bone disease, cancer or acute/chronic renal
failure. Decreased levels could indicate calcium deficient diets.

CHOL- Cholesterol -Elevated levels of cholesterol are seen in a variety of disorders including diabetes
mellitus, liver and kidney disease.

CK- Creatine Kinase may be elevated if there is muscle trauma and occasionally if there is central
nervous system damage.

CREA- Creatine is a by-product of muscle metabolism and is excreted by the kidneys. Elevated levels
could indicate urinary tract infections or kidney disease.

GGT- Gamma Glutamyl Transferase is a useful chemistry especially for cats. This level tends to increase
more than ALKP in order to diagnose bile duct disease.

GLU- Glucose – High levels (hyperglycemia) could indicate diabetes mellitus, stress (in cats), pancreatitis,
Cushing’s disease (steroids). Low levels (hypoglycemia) may indicate liver disease, infection, or certain
tumors.
LAC- Lactate can help indicate underlying metabolic disorders in certain cases: shock, decreased blood
flow to a specific organ, hypoxic event, gastric necrosis, thromboembolic event, and athletic
conditioning.

LDH- Lactate dehydrogenase is another indicator for liver disease.

LIPA- Lipase is an enzyme produced by the pancreas. This level is evaluated when diagnosing
Pancreatitis.

Mg- Magnesium is used to evaluate adrenal and renal function, and to monitor drug therapy.

NH3- Ammonia – This is a liver function test. The liver produces UREA (non-toxic) from NH3 (toxic). This
test is helpful when evaluating animals with chronic weight loss, small liver or central nervous system
abnormalities.

PHOS- Phosphorous – Elevated results could be an indicator of kidney disease.

TBIL- Total Bilirubin levels are useful in diagnosing anemia and problems in the bile ducts. It is excreted
in bile and urine producing its yellow coloring.

TP- Total Protein – These levels can detect a variety of conditions including dehydration and diseases of
the liver, kidney or GI tract. Decreased levels could indicate bleeding, malnutrition, or congestive heart
failure.

TRIG- Triglycerides – Increased levels can indicate: diabetes mellitus, liver disease, pancreatitis, and
hypothyroidism.

URIC- Uric Acid – this level is used to evaluate kidney disease and is often used in bird blood panels.

Neutrophil – the most common type of white blood cell. They eat infectious particles such as bacteria.
They increase in number during inflammation, infection & short-term stress.

Eosinophil- a related type of white blood cell. They will increase in number during an allergic reaction,
certain tumors/parasites and some tissue injuries.

Basophil- the least common type of white blood cell. An increased number of Basophils could indicate
inflammation.

Monocytes – large cells that serve mainly as phagocytes and increase during chronic diseases.

Lymphocytes – are white blood cells that are responsible for antibody production and cell-mediated
immune responses.

Platelets –(thrombocytes) they are much smaller than red or white blood cells. They are critical for
clotting and repairing damaged blood vessels