Electrolytes
An electrolyte imbalance can lead to an imbalance in your body’s acid-base status, hydration, or conduction of charges across cells, all of which are essential, especially with increased activity.
Anion Gap
Optimal range: 8 - 16 mEq/L
An anion gap refers to the difference of positively and negatively charged molecules in the body. A gap that is unusually high or low frequently indicates a problem with the respiratory system, kidneys, or bones. Anion gap blood tests cover a large range of molecules and are more efficacious when narrowed to a few possibilities.
LEARN MORECalcium, Ionized, Serum
Optimal range: 4.5 - 5.6 mg/dL
Calcium is an important mineral found throughout the body. It is important for bone health, cell communication, blood clotting, muscle contraction, and nerve cell function. Ionized serum calcium is the biologically active form of calcium in the blood.
LEARN MORECalcium, Serum
Optimal range: 8.6 - 10.2 mg/dL
Calcium is a mineral used by our bodies in a variety of physiological functions including the construction and maintenance of bones, which is where most of our calcium is stored. It is necessary to continually ingest calcium throughout a lifetime, because our bodies perpetually lose it. Typically, calcium levels in the body need to be extremely low or extremely high before problems start occurring.
Calcium plays many roles in the body including teeth and bone health, clotting, neurotransmitter function, muscle contraction and enzyme activity. May be elevated due to alkalosis, kidney dysfunction, hyperparathyroidism, cancer, excess Vit D intake, adrenal insufficiency, excess Vit A intake. May be decreased due to poor intake or absorption, hypoparathyroidism, Vit D deficiency, magnesium deficiency.
LEARN MORECarbon Dioxide (CO2)
Optimal range: 20 - 29 mEq/L
Carbon dioxide exists most plentifully in the body in the form of bicarbonate. An essential electrolyte, carbon dioxide is filtered out of the body through the kidneys and the lungs. An unusual bicarbonate level in the blood typically points to either a problem with the kidneys, a problem with the lungs, or a metabolic problem. Carbon dioxide tests are often ordered along with several other tests to determine the cause of many simultaneous symptoms.
LEARN MOREChloride, Serum
Optimal range: 96 - 106 mEq/L
Chloride is an electrolyte used by our bodies to maintain blood pH balance, fluid balance, and blood pressure. The kidneys filter chloride out of the blood and into urine. Chloride tests are almost always ordered as a part of a larger panel. Typically, these panels are used to determine the cause of kidney problems or a pH level that is too acidic or too basic.
LEARN MOREMagnesium
Optimal range: 1.6 - 2.3 mg/dL
Along with calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and chloride, magnesium is one of the six essential minerals required by the human body in significant quantities. Involved in more than 300 enzyme reactions in the body, magnesium is necessary for bone formation, muscle activity, nerve transmission, energy production, and blood pressure regulation. It also plays an important role in blood sugar balance, as well as the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Low magnesium status is directly associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
LEARN MOREOsmolality
Optimal range: 275 - 295 mOsm/kg
Osmolality is a measure of the number of dissolved particles in a fluid. The osmolality test reflects the concentration of substances such as sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose, and urea in a sample of blood, urine, or sometimes stool.
LEARN MOREPotassium, Serum (Kalium)
Optimal range: 3.5 - 5.2 mmol/L
Potassium is both a positively charged electrolyte and a mineral. It helps keep the water balance inside and outside our body’s cells equal. Potassium is also important in how nerves work. Potassium tests can be used to diagnose cardiovascular problems, but the most common cause of significantly elevated potassium in the blood is kidney disease.
LEARN MORESodium, Serum (Natrium)
Optimal range: 134 - 144 mmol/L
Sodium is a vital electrolyte found in our bodies. It helps our cells to maintain fluid balance and aids in nerve and muscle function. An abnormal level of sodium in the blood is typically caused by extreme excess or extreme deficiency of water. This can be due to common things like vomiting/diarrhea or more a serious condition like kidney disease. A healthcare professional will likely need to compare an unusual blood sodium level to other biomarkers in order to determine the cause, if it is not readily apparent.
LEARN MOREZinc
Optimal range: 60 - 130 µg/dL
Zinc is a primary nutrient that we need to thrive. It’s used in a variety of functions through the body including wound healing and creation of DNA. In North America, zinc deficiencies are rare and an unusually high level of zinc in the blood usually indicates iron deficiency or lead poisoning.
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