Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests: Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis (1047 page)

Increased In

   Intestinal inflammation.

   Marked increase in active IBD.

   Moderately elevated levels of fecal lactoferrin may be found with red cells and leukocytes, in association with inflammatory diarrhea caused by enteroinvasive pathogens.

Decreased In

   NA

   Limitations

   Test results should be interpreted in conjunction with breast-feeding status. Breast milk is naturally high in lactoferrin, and stool samples from breast-fed infants may cause a false positive with this assay.

   This test may not be appropriate for immunocompromised persons.

   Negative test does not exclude the presence of intestinal inflammation.

LEAD (Pb)

   Definition

   An element with four stable isotopes (204, 206, 207, and 208) found naturally in minerals; in man-made products such as paint, gasoline, cigarette smoke, solder in cans, and ceramics; and as a contaminant in soil and water.

   Normal range: <10 μg/dL (<0.48 mmol/L).

   Use

   Lead is malleable, ductile, and a poor conductor of electricity; therefore, it is used in building construction, bullets, lead–acid batteries, pewter, and radiation shields.