Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 2/10/2011

Question
My mother has pseudocholinesterase deficiency and her dr suggested I be tested.  My counts came back 1023 cholinesterase serum and 81.2 dibucaine number.  Do these numbers indicate a deficiency?  My regular dr was unsure how to interpret the results. I am 28 weeks pregnant  Would this deficiency affect the delivery or the baby?

Answer
Values over 70 (or 75 in some literature) is normal so you do not have the deficiency. This will not be a problem for you (even if you had a low # it would not affect the delivery or the baby). If I were you I would tell every anesthesiologist you see about your mother and the fact that you had the test done and it was normal (give them the numbers). This way they will know your history and your mother's.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston