Estimation of Norms from a Controlled Sample Survey. II. Influence of Body Habitus, Oral Contraceptives, and Other Factors on Values for the Normal Range Derived from the SMA 12/60 Screening Group of Tests

Abstract

Abstract Sera from 423 clinically normal men and 557 clinically normal women, ages 20 to 49, were analyzed on the "AutoAnalyzer 12/60" (Technicon Corp.). The results were grouped by sex of the subject and subgrouped according to body habitus (overweight, normal weight, or underweight), region of residence in U. S., and other variables. Among subgroups, statistically significant differences in normal range limits were sought. Notable findings include (a) lactate dehydrogenase activities tend to be lower in winter, (b) women taking oral contraceptive medications have diminished albumin and inorganic phosphorus concentrations, and (c) overweight but otherwise clinically normal individuals tend to have higher uric acid values than do healthy individuals of normal weight.