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Biochemical blood test

Medical expert of the article

Hematologist, oncohematologist
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025

Blood testing is one of the most important indicators of the body's performance, which is used by doctors of the vast majority of specialties to identify all sorts of problems. A biochemical blood test will not only allow you to see the true picture of the pathology, but will also demonstrate information about the patient's health as a whole. Biochemistry is used, perhaps, in all medical fields - it is the most common research method of all known.

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Indications for the appointment of a biochemical blood test

Biochemical blood testing can be used for almost any disease, when pathology is suspected, and also for preventive purposes to exclude pathological conditions. Absolute indications for biochemical testing are:

  • assessment of metabolic processes, liver and kidney function;
  • poor nutrition, impaired absorption of food, diseases of the digestive organs;
  • oncological neoplasms;
  • inflammatory and atrophic changes in the tissue structure of the liver;
  • inflammatory reactions and infectious processes, rheumatoid, systemic pathologies;
  • traumatic and burn injuries;
  • musculoskeletal pathologies, osteoporosis;
  • intoxication of the body, toxicosis;
  • heart failure, infarctions;
  • diabetes mellitus, all stages of obesity, endocrine disorders (thyroid, adrenal, pituitary gland dysfunctions);
  • condition before and after taking medications;
  • pre- and postoperative condition;
  • pregnancy, preparation for conception, etc.

Preparation for a biochemical blood test

24 hours before taking blood for biochemical analysis, it is recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol-containing beverages, and 1-1.5 hours before the analysis, to stop smoking.

Blood is given on an empty stomach, as soon as possible after waking up in the morning. At least 10-12 hours must pass after the last meal: tea, coffee, juices and other drinks, as well as chewing gum, are also considered food. Drinking clean water is allowed.

Before going to the laboratory, it is important to protect yourself from excessive nervous and physical overload. For this reason, it is recommended to sit down on a chair and calm down immediately before taking blood.

Blood for the test can be taken from the elbow vein, in the amount of 5-6 ml. If the patient is taking any medications, he must notify the laboratory worker about this.

As a rule, you can come for the results the next day after the analysis, however, some test results take longer: you will have to wait up to 4-5 days.

Who to contact?

Biochemical blood test during pregnancy

Biochemical blood testing is usually used twice during the gestation period: at the very beginning, when the pregnant woman is registered, and also at 30 weeks of gestation. After reviewing the results of the examination, the doctor will be able to give a real assessment of the functional capacity of the organs and systems of the body. Among other things, with the help of a biochemical examination, it is possible to determine the lack of microelements (calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, etc.). Such an analysis is extremely important for assessing the capabilities of the body of the expectant mother.

The fundamental indicators of blood composition research are:

  • the amount of total protein in the bloodstream, characteristics of the protein metabolism process;
  • indicators of lipid metabolism (assessment of the amount of phospholipids, triglycerides, cholesterol and fatty acids);
  • carbohydrate metabolism indicators (amount of sugar in the blood);
  • the level of enzymes in the body (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and pancreatic amylase indicators);
  • pigment index (bilirubin content);
  • amount of nitrogenous substances;
  • the amount of microelements required for the normal functioning of the body.

Thanks to biochemical analysis, it is possible to adjust the level of substances in the body in time so that the pregnancy proceeds without complications, and the future child develops fully and on time.

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Decoding of biochemical blood test

The principle of decoding is the definition and assessment of the qualitative and quantitative components of the material. It is important to pay attention to the purpose of each blood component and its effect on other components.

Below we will present a table of biochemical blood analysis, indicating the normal values for adult patients and children.

Blood biochemical test results are given in the most popular units of measurement, although different clinical institutions may use different reference values, which should be discussed with your doctor in advance.

The table shows:

  • normal values of biochemical blood tests in adults (male and female);
  • Normal biochemical blood test values for children.

Indicators

Men

Women

Children under 14 years old

Transaminases: ALT

Up to 37 U/L

Up to 31 U/L

Up to 30 U/L

Transaminases: AST

Up to 45 U/L

Up to 35 U/L

Up to 35 U/L

Glutamyltransferase ggt

Up to 55 U/L

Up to 40 units/l

Up to 45 U/L

Total protein

From 60 to 85 g/l

From 60 to 85 g/l

From 45 to 75 g/l

C-reactive protein

Up to 0.5 mg/l

Up to 0.5 mg/l

Up to 0.5 mg/l

Chol (cholesterol)

From 3.5 to 5.5 mmol/liter

From 3.5 to 5.5 mmol/liter

From 3.5 to 7.5 mmol/liter

Iron

From 11 to 31 µmol/l

From 9 to 30 µmol/l

From 9 to 22 µmol/l

Sugar (glucose)

From 3.8 to 6.3 mmol/l

From 3.8 to 6.3 mmol/l

From 3.8 to 5.3 mmol/l

Urea

From 2.8 to 7.2 mmol/l

From 2.8 to 7.2 mmol/l

From 1.8 to 6.2 mmol/l

Alkaline phosphatase (alkp)

From 30 to 130 U/L

From 30 to 110 U/L

Up to 350 U/L

PTI

From 78 to 142%

From 78 to 142%

From 78 to 142%

Total bilirubin (tbil, bil)

From 8.5 to 20.5 µmol/l

From 8.5 to 20.5 µmol/l

Up to 250 µmol/l

Lactate dehydrogenase (ldh)

Up to 250 U/L

Up to 250 U/L

Up to 295 U/L

Leukocytes (wbc)

From 4.5 to 10*3/mkl

From 4.5 to 10*3/mkl

From 4.5 to 13*3/mkl

ESR

From 6 to 12 mm/h

From 8 to 15 mm/h

From 4 to 12 mm/h

Fibrinogen

From 2 to 4 g/l

Up to 6 g/l

From 1.2 to 3 g/l

Creatinine

From 62 to 120 µmol/l

From 55 to 95 µmol/l

From 50 to 100 µmol/l

Seromucoid (seroglycoid)

From 0.22 to 0.28 g/l

From 0.22 to 0.28 g/l

From 0.13 to 0.20 g/l

Creatine

From 13 to 53 µmol/l

From 27 to 71 µmol/l

From 76 to 114 µmol/l

HDL lipoproteins

From 1.7 to 3.5 mmol/l

From 1.7 to 3.5 mmol/l

From 1.7 to 4.5 mmol/l

LDL lipoproteins

From 1.8 to 4.9 mmol/l

From 1.8 to 4.9 mmol/l

From 1.8 to 4.9 mmol/l

Amylase (amyl)

From 25 to 125 U/L

From 25 to 125 U/L

From 25 to 125 U/L

Phosphorus

From 0.87 to 1.45 mmol/l

From 0.87 to 1.45 mmol/l

From 1.45 to 1.78 mmol/l

Antistreptolysin

Up to 200 U/L

Up to 200 U/L

Up to 200 U/L

Chlorine

From 98 to 107 mmol/l

From 98 to 107 mmol/l

From 98 to 107 mmol/l

Erythrocytes

4.1-5.6 10*12/L

3.8-5.2 10*12/L

3.9-5.1 10*12/L

Triglycerides

From 0.4 to 1.8 mmol/l

From 0.4 to 1.8 mmol/l

From 0.5 to 2 mmol/l

Indirect bilirubin

From 1 to 8 µmol/l

From 1 to 8 µmol/l

Up to 210 µmol/l

Direct bilirubin

From 1 to 20 µmol/l

From 1 to 20 µmol/l

Up to 40 µmol/l

Uric acid

From 210 to 420 µmol/liter

From 150 to 350 µmol/liter

From 150 to 350 µmol/liter

Protein fractions:

  • albumin from 56.5 to 66.5%;
  • globulins from 33.5 to 43.5%;
  • α1-globulins from 2.5 to 5%;
  • α2-globulins from 5.1 to 9.2%;
  • β-globulins from 8.1 to 12.2%;
  • γ-globulins from 12.8 to 19%.

Dysproteinemic test results:

  • Veltman test results from 0.4 to 0.5 ml of calcium solution (5-7 test tubes);
  • indicators of the sublimate test from 1.6 to 2.2 ml of mercury dichloride;
  • thymol test from 0 to 5 units SH.

Atherogenic index (ratio of high- and low-density cholesterol) – up to 3 units.

The quantitative thrombin in the blood depends on the prothrombin level, which should normally be from 78 to 142% (according to Quick).

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Timeframe for performing a biochemical blood test

Every client of a laboratory research institution should know that the results of a biochemical analysis cannot be valid for a long time, because blood indicators are constantly undergoing certain changes. The validity period of a biochemical blood test can be from 10 to 14 days.

Determining each value requires a certain period of time. In most situations, the clinic or laboratory where the blood is collected for testing can provide the patient with all the information about when to come for the results. Blood biochemistry is performed for a maximum of 4-5 days, but more precise dates can be found out directly in the laboratory.

It is important to remember that the results are stored for a limited period. Therefore, if the patient already has the laboratory form, he/she can immediately come to the doctor for a consultation. If you delay the visit, then after some time the result may be considered invalid, and the doctor will insist on retaking it.

A biochemical blood test is a very common type of examination; it can be taken in almost any laboratory or clinic. However, each medical institution has its own set of reagents and its own computing systems, so the reference values may differ slightly. When receiving the results, you must make sure that the laboratory form indicates the standard indicators of a specific laboratory center - this will make it easier for both you and your doctor to understand the indicative changes.


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