Table 4: Laboratory Investigation for Generalized Pruritus

Table 4:
Laboratory Investigation for Generalized Pruritus
Initial Screening	Further Evaluation In Selected Cases
Complete blood count and peripheral smear Liver function tests (alkaline phosphatase, serum bilirubin) Thyroid function tests (T4, TSH) Chest x-ray Stool exam for occult blood Renal function tests (BUN, creatinine) Urinalysis	Stool exam for ova and parasites Serum iron and ferritin Serum protein electrophoresis, serum immunoelectrophoresis Urine for 5HIAA Urine for mast cell metabolites HIV testing Skin biopsy with special stains (to exclude mastocytosis) Skin biopsy with direct immunofluorescence (to exclude dermatitis herpetiformis and bullous pemphigoid) Other radiological studies and endoscopy performed judiciously
Adapted from reference 13, 14.