Laboratory tests in the elderly. What is abnormal?

Comparison of studies on the elderly is difficult. This study is one of the largest done on healthy, ambulatory persons aged 65 and up. Findings indicate that most laboratory values in elderly persons fall in the normal range. A significantly abnormal test result should raise the suspicion of underlying disease. A small percentage of patients show an abnormality on specific tests (ie, for glucose, calcium, serum lipids). Changes in a few test values are to be expected with aging: These include an increase in alkaline phosphatase, a decrease in serum phosphorus, a decrease in creatinine clearance without a concomitant rise in serum creatinine, and an increase in postprandial glucose level. Vitamin deficiencies and decrease in serum albumin are usually the result of chronic malnutrition rather than aging.