What Does Anion Gap Mean In A Blood Test

A high anion gap value means that your blood is more acidic than normal.

The anion gap measures the acid base balance in your blood the normal range is between 8 and 16 the equation is sodium na potassium k cholo. For the body to function normally it needs to maintain a. Acid levels that are higher or lower than normal can tip your doctor off to a health problem and help them find the right treatment for. Conditions that can cause acidosis and therefore a high anion gap value include.

It is important to find the cause and treat it as soon as possible. The anion gap test tells you how much acid is in your blood. The anion gap is a value that represents the difference between positively charged ions cations and negatively charged ions anions in the blood. The high anion gap level can also be due to lactic acidosis in which the high level of acid is due a buildup of a substance called lactic acid.

Purpose of the anion gap test. It is the difference between primary measured cations sodium and potassium which are positively charged ions and the primary measured anions chloride and bicarbonate which are negatively charged ions. When metabolic acidosis occurs the hydrogen ions cations reacts with bicarbonate anions resulting in decreased concentration of the measured anion and increased concentration in the unmeasured anions leading to a gap. Anion gap test is most commonly performed in patients with a condition caused by high levels of acid in the blood.

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The anion gap represents these unmeasured anions which are not part of the usual laboratory tests. It can also detect an alkalosis when your blood is not acidic enough. It may indicate that you have acidosis. An anion gap test can help diagnose a metabolic acidosis a life threatening condition that occurs when your blood becomes too acidic.

The anion gap is a measurement that tells you the acid levels in the blood. The anion gap ag or agap is a value calculated from the results of multiple individual medical lab tests. It may be reported with the results of an electrolyte panel which is often performed as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel. An anion gap is calculated by using the results of an electrolyte blood test.

The anion gap cannot be directly measured instead it is calculated from the results of an electrolyte panel another type of blood test.