If nephrotic syndrome is suspected, which analyte changes would be expected?

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Multiple Choice

If nephrotic syndrome is suspected, which analyte changes would be expected?

Nephrotic syndrome causes heavy protein loss in the urine, which lowers circulating proteins—especially albumin—and leads to hypoalbuminemia and a decrease in total serum protein. In response, the liver increases production of lipoproteins to restore oncotic balance and transport lipids, resulting in hyperlipidemia. So the expected pattern is higher cholesterol, higher triglycerides, and lower total protein. This matches the choice with increased TCHOL, decreased TP, and increased TRIG. Other patterns would not fit the underlying changes: lipid levels wouldn’t rise if protein loss weren’t driving hepatic lipoprotein production, and total protein wouldn’t drop if there wasn’t substantial protein loss.

Nephrotic syndrome causes heavy protein loss in the urine, which lowers circulating proteins—especially albumin—and leads to hypoalbuminemia and a decrease in total serum protein. In response, the liver increases production of lipoproteins to restore oncotic balance and transport lipids, resulting in hyperlipidemia. So the expected pattern is higher cholesterol, higher triglycerides, and lower total protein. This matches the choice with increased TCHOL, decreased TP, and increased TRIG. Other patterns would not fit the underlying changes: lipid levels wouldn’t rise if protein loss weren’t driving hepatic lipoprotein production, and total protein wouldn’t drop if there wasn’t substantial protein loss.

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