What is plasma anion gap?
Plasma anion gap is a measurement of the balance between positively charged ions called cations and negatively charged ions called anions, within the plasma. That means that the sum of all positive charge from cations has to equal the sum of all negative charge from anions.
What does anion gap tell you?
What is it used for? The anion gap blood test is used to show whether your blood has an imbalance of electrolytes or too much or not enough acid. Too much acid in the blood is called acidosis. If your blood does not have enough acid, you may have a condition called alkalosis.
What contributes to the anion gap of plasma?
Abstract: The plasma anion gap is normally accounted for by proteins and other organic acids in the anionic form, phosphates, and sulfate. Hypoproteinemia causes a decrease in the anion gap. Normochloremic metabolic acidosis is usually associated with an increase in the anion gap.
What is a normal anion gap range?
Results are given in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Normal results are 3 to 10 mEq/L, although the normal level may vary from lab to lab. If your results are higher, it may mean that you have metabolic acidosis.
What does an anion gap of 13 mean?
An anion gap number between 3 and 10 is considered normal. But the “normal” range can vary from person to person, and it may also depend on the methods your lab used to do the test.
What is the most common cause of an elevated anion gap?
Metabolic acidosis is thus the most common cause of raised anion gap. The primary abnormality that characterizes metabolic acidosis, whatever its cause, is reduction in serum bicarbonate (HCO3-) concentration.
What are the symptoms of high anion gap?
A high anion gap itself does not produce symptoms, but it may indicate an imbalance in blood acid levels, such as metabolic acidosis….Symptoms
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Rapid and shallow breathing.
- Fatigue.
- Rapid/abnormal heartbeat.
- Low blood pressure.
- Confusion.
- Headaches.
What factors affect anion gap?
The anion gap is affected by changes in unmeasured ions. In uncontrolled diabetes, there is an increase in ketoacids due to metabolism of ketones….High anion gap
- Lactic acidosis.
- Ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Toxins:
- Kidney failure, causes high anion gap acidosis by decreased acid excretion and decreased HCO −
Is an anion gap of 7 normal?
The value of the anion gap is reported in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Normal values are 3 to 11 mEq/L [4, 2]. Some older types of tests used different techniques to measure electrolytes, which give different results. The normal range for these older tests is 8 to 16 mEq/L [5, 6, 7].
Is an anion gap of 12 bad?
Although there are differences between laboratories and assays, the normal anion gap has traditionally been set between 8 mEq/L to 12 mEq/L. If the anion gap is greater than 12, this suggests an increased presence of unmeasured anions.
Can dehydration cause metabolic acidosis?
Metabolic acidosis develops when the body has too much acidic ions in the blood. Metabolic acidosis is caused by severe dehydration, drug overdoses, liver failure, carbon monoxide poisoning and other causes.
How do you treat high anion gap?
The most common alkalizing agent is sodium bicarbonate, but sodium and potassium citrate are alternative options. In the event of severe, recalcitrant acidosis, it may be appropriate to treat empirically with alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitors (fomepizole or ethanol) and prepare the patient for emergent hemodialysis.
What are the symptoms of a high anion gap?
Nausea
What is the reason for elevated anion gap?
A high anion gap value means that your blood is more acidic than normal. It may indicate that you have acidosis. Conditions that can cause acidosis (and therefore a high anion gap value) include: diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition requiring immediate medical attention. overdose of salicylates, such as aspirin.
How do you calculate the anion gap?
The net effect is a decrease in the concentration of measured anions (ie HCO3) and an increase in the concentration of unmeasured anions (the acid anions) so the anion gap increases. AG is calculated from the following formula: Anion gap = [Na+] – [Cl-] – [HCO3-] Reference range is 8 to 16 mmol/l.
What is the treatment for high anion gap?
Common treatments include: Detoxification, if you have drug or alcohol poisoning Insulin, if you have DKA IV fluids, given by needle through a vein in your arm Sodium bicarbonate, by IV