Download For lower than normal sodium levels

electrolytes
Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals
 that help move nutrients into and wastes out of the
body’s cells.
 maintain a healthy water balance and help stabilize
the body’s acid level.

 Electrolytes
Calcium
 Chloride
 Magnesium
 Phosphorous
 Potassium
 Sodium

profile include:
 How
is it used?
Used to detect hypo- or hyper- in electrolytes
associated with dehydration, edema, and a
variety of diseases.
 Your doctor may order this test, along with other
electrolytes, to screen for an electrolyte
imbalance.

 How
the Test is Performed?
Ask the the patient if he takes any drugs.
 Obtain a 5ml venous blood sample .
 Heparin blood can be used (green tube) .
 Avoid hemolysis .
 Observe standard precaution.
 You should not eat or drink for at least 6 hours before
the test.

Na (Sodium ):
Sodium is a positively charged molecule that
works with other electrolytes.
Important for:
 Distribution
of water between extracellular
 and intracellular fluid.
 Nerve impulses
 Heart muscle contractibility
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Sodium test:
:Blood sodium testing is used to detect
abnormal concentrations of sodium, termed
hyponatremia (low sodium) and hypernatremia (high
sodium)
acid base balance
Water balance
Water intoxication and dehydration.
Normal range:
136-145 mmol/L
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2.
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4.
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For greater than normal sodium levels (hypernatremia)
associated with the following condition:
.diabetes insipidus
.hyperaldosteronism.
.cushing syndrome
Dehydration and insufficient water intake.
For lower than normal sodium levels (hyponatremia)
associated with the following condition:
Excessive fluid loss (diarrhea, vomiting, sweating )
Addison disease (impair sodium reabsorption)
Drugs such as diuretics
hypothyroidism
Potassium (K) test:

A potassium test checks how much potassium is in the
blood , diagnoses acid base and water imbalance.

Important for:
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
keep the water (the amount of fluid inside and outside
the body's cells)
electrolyte balance of the body.
Potassium is also important in how nerves and
muscles work.
Normal range:
3.5-5.1 mmol/L

High levels of potassium (hyperkalemia) may be due
to:
kidney failure
Certain medications
Red blood cell destruction
Too much potassium in your diet.
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Low levels of potassium (hypokalemia) may be due to:
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Not enough potassium in the diet.
Diarrhea ,vomiting ,sweating.
Malabsorption and starvation .
Calcium:
Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth.
It is important for heart function , muscle contraction,
nerve signaling, and blood clotting….
 Calcium
test:
A blood calcium test is measures the concentration of
both total and ionized calcium in blood.
To diagnose a range of conditions relating to the
bones, heart, nerves, kidneys, and teeth.

Normal range(ca+2):
Children: 4.4 - 6.0r (mg/dL)
 Adults: 4.4 - 5.3 mg/dL

 Normal
values range (ca) :
 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL.

Higher-than-normal levels of ionized calcium may
be due to:
Tumors
 Vitamin D Excess
 hyperparathyroidism
 Lack of mobility


Lower-than-normal levels may be due to:
Hypoparathyroidism
 Malabsorption
 Renal failure
 Rickets
 Vitamin D deficiency


magnesium (mg) test

A serum magnesium test is a measurement of how
much magnesium there is in the blood.

Important for:
It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function,
 keeps the bones strong
 controls the heart beat,
 helps regulate blood pressure.
 controls blood sugar levels and helps support the
body's defense (immune) system.

Normal Results
1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL

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High magnesium levels may be due to:
Addison's disease
 Chronic renal failure
 Dehydration
 Diabetic acidosis
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Low magnesium levels may be due to:
Alcoholism
 Hemodialysis
 Pancreatitis
 Too much insulin

Chloride (cl)test:
 A chloride test measures the level of chloride in your
blood or urine.

Important for:
 It helps keep the amount of fluid inside and outside of
your cells in balance.
 It also helps maintain proper blood volume, blood
pressure, and pH of your body fluids.

Normal Results
96 - 106 mEq/L.

Higher level of chloride (hyperchloremia). may be
due to:
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (used to treat
glaucoma)
 Metabolic acidosis
 Respiratory alkalosis
 Renal tubular acidosis

lower- level of chloride (hypochloremia). may be
due to:
Addison's disease
 Dehydration
 Gastric suction
 Respiratory acidosis
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Phosphorus test:
Phosphorus is a mineral that combines with
other substances to form organic and inorganic
phosphate compounds.
Important for:
Phosphates are vital for energy production,
muscle and nerve function, and bone growth.
play an important role as a buffer, helping to
maintain the body's acid-base balance.
Normal Results
2.4 - 4.1 mg/dL

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Higher than normal levels (hyperphosphatemia)
may indicate:
Diabetic ketoacidosis
 Hypocalcemia
 Liver disease
 Too much vitamin D

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Lower than normal levels (hypophosphatemia)
may indicate:
Hypercalcemia
 Malnutrition
 Too little dietary intake of phosphate or vitamin D

Reference:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003481.htm
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/calcium/tab/test
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002350.htm
http:// www.umm.edu
•Understanding Laboratory & Diagnostic Tests Book
Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning; 1 edition (September 23 ,
1997)