Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests: Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis (1286 page)

   Use

   Assessment of thiamine deficiency: Thiamine measurement is appropriate in patients with behavioral changes, eye signs, gait disturbances, delirium, and encephalopathy; or in patients with questionable nutritional status, especially those who appear at risk and who also are being given insulin for hyperglycemia.

   Investigation of suspected beriberi.

   Monitoring the effects of chronic alcoholism.

   Interpretation

Increased In

   Leukemia

   Polycythemia vera

   Hodgkin disease

Decreased In

   Alcoholism with and without liver disease

   Deficient diet

   Chronic febrile infections

   Prolonged diarrhea

   Diabetes

   Carcinoid syndrome