Short bowel syndrome laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sadaf Sharfaei M.D.[2]

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of short bowel syndrome include anemia, hypoalbuminemia, low level of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. Level of acute phase reactants is high. Abnormal liver function tests including elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin might be seen. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance might be present. Fecal fat test is usually positive.

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of short bowel syndrome include:^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][6][7][8][9][10]}

• Complete blood count (CBC):
  • Anemia either microcytic or macrocytic
• Low levels of albumin
• High levels of acute phase reactant
  • High C-reactive protein (CRP) (normal- 0 to 10 mg/dl)
  • High erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (normal for women is < 20 mm/hour and for men is <15 mm/hour)
• Liver function test
  • High aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (normal-  8 to 48 U/L)
  • High alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (normal-  7 to 55 units per liter U/L)
  • High serum bilirubin (normal – 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dl)
• Blood chemistry profile
  • High blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (normal- 7 to 20 mg/dl)
  • High serum creatinine (normal- 0.8 to 1.2 md/dl)
  • Low sodium (normal- 135/145 mEq/L)
  • Low potassium (normal- 3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L)
  • Low chloride (normal- 97 to 107 mEq/L)
• Vitamin and mineral levels:
  • Low levels of vitamin A
  • Low levels of vitamin B12
  • Low levels of vitamin C
  • Low level of vitamin D
  • Low level of vitamin E
  • Low level of vitamin K
  • Low iron
  • Low folic acid
  • Low calcium
  • Low magnesium
  • Low phosphorus
  • Low zinc
  • Low chromium
  • Low selenium
• High fecal fat

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