Which laboratory value is reported in mg/dL units in the provided ranges?

Which laboratory value is reported in mg/dL units in the provided ranges?

• A. Bilirubin
• B. ALT
• C. AST
• D. ALP

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that lab values use different units depending on what’s being measured. Bilirubin is typically reported in mg/dL, while the liver enzymes ALT, AST, and ALP are usually reported in units per liter (U/L or IU/L). So the value shown in mg/dL would be bilirubin, not the enzymes. For context, total bilirubin normally ranges about 0.3–1.2 mg/dL (direct bilirubin 0–0.3 mg/dL), whereas ALT, AST, and ALP are commonly given in U/L with ranges that vary by lab.

The key idea is that lab values use different units depending on what’s being measured. Bilirubin is typically reported in mg/dL, while the liver enzymes ALT, AST, and ALP are usually reported in units per liter (U/L or IU/L). So the value shown in mg/dL would be bilirubin, not the enzymes. For context, total bilirubin normally ranges about 0.3–1.2 mg/dL (direct bilirubin 0–0.3 mg/dL), whereas ALT, AST, and ALP are commonly given in U/L with ranges that vary by lab.