Normal ranges differ slightly from lab to lab. Basic Blood tests to evaluate back or back/ leg pain include:

CBC (Complete Blood Count):

• Red blood cells (RBC), which carry oxygen. Normal: 3.90-5.72 trillion/Liter

• White blood cells (WBC), which fight infection. Normal: 3.4-9.6 billion cells/L

• Hemoglobin (Hb), the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Normal: 11.6-16.6 grams/dL

• Hematocrit (Hct), the proportion of red blood cells to the fluid component, or plasma, in your blood. Normal 35- 48%

• Platelets, which help with blood clotting. Normal: 157-371 billion/L

CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel):

-for kidney and liver function, blood acid-base balance, blood calcium, blood sugar, protein levels, metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance

• BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): 6 to 20 mg/dL (2.14 to 7.14 millimole/Liter)

• CO2 (carbon dioxide): 23 to 29 mmol/L

• Creatinine: 0.8 to 1.2 mg/dL (70.72 to 106.08 micromol/L)

• Glucose: 64 to 100 mg/dL (3.55 to 5.55 mmol/L)

• Serum chloride: 96 to 106 mmol/L

• Serum potassium: 3.7 to 5.2 mEq/L (3.7 to 5.2 mmol/L)

• Serum sodium: 136 to 144 mEq/L (136 to 144 mmol/L)

• Serum calcium: 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL (2.13 to 2.55 millimol/L)

• Total bilirubin: 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL (2 to 21 µmol/L)

• Total protein: 6.0 to 8.3 g/dL (60 to 83 g/L)

• Albumin: 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL (34 to 54 g/L)

• Alkaline phosphatase: 20 to 130 U/L

• ALT (alanine aminotransferase): 4 to 36 U/L

• AST (aspartate aminotransferase): 8 to 33 U/L

Urinalysis (commonly called dipstick in office). This basic urine test can be sent in for more detailed microscopic urinalysis, if abnormal.

• Apart from pH, and specific gravity (concentration), urine is tested for any (normal=none) protein, sugar, ketones, bilirubin, leukocyte esterase (evidence of infection), and blood.