Your electrolytes can be checked with either a blood or urine test. The blood test is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand. For a urine test, you provide a urine sample in a specimen container. Having a blood test with a needle has some risks.
These include bleeding, infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, you may feel a slight sting or pain. Afterward, the site may be sore. The amount of fluid you drink or lose can affect your test results. Results can also be affected by vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating a lot from exercise. Some medicines, such as those used to lower high blood pressure or reduce stomach acid, can cause electrolyte problems. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to stop eating certain foods or taking certain medicines before this test.
Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. The most common imbalances involve sodium and potassium.
The symptoms depend on which electrolyte is out of balance and whether its level is too high or too low. A harmful concentration of magnesium, sodium, potassium, or calcium can produce one or more of the following symptoms:. For example, a calcium excess can occur in people with breast cancer , lung cancer , or multiple myeloma. This type of excess is often caused by the destruction of bone tissue.
As these symptoms can also result from cancer or cancer treatment, it may be difficult to identify high calcium levels as the cause. An electrolyte panel is a test that screens for imbalances in the blood.
It also measures the acid-base balance and kidney function. This test can help monitor the progress of treatment relating to a known imbalance. A doctor may include it as part of a routine physical exam, and people often undergo it during a hospital stay or when receiving care in an emergency room, as both acute and chronic illnesses can affect electrolyte levels. A healthcare professional may also perform this test for someone taking medication known to affect electrolyte concentrations, such as diuretics or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.
The levels of electrolytes in the blood are measured in millimoles per liter l. If the level of one type of electrolyte is too high or low, the doctor will test regularly until the levels are back to normal. If there is an acid-base imbalance, the doctor may carry out blood gas tests.
These measure the acidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels in a sample of blood from an artery. They also determine the severity of the imbalance and how the person is responding to treatment.
Treating an electrolyte imbalance involves either restoring levels that are too low or reducing concentrations that are too high. If levels are too high, the treatment depends on the cause of the excess. If the body loses water without losing electrolytes, this can lead to an excess, and the treatment involves an infusion of water and glucose.
Healthcare professionals typically treat low levels by supplementing the needed electrolyte. The type of treatment will also depend on the severity of the imbalance. However, the symptoms of an imbalance can be severe, and a person may need to be hospitalized and monitored during the treatment.
Doctors mainly use this to treat an electrolyte shortage alongside dehydration, which tends to follow severe diarrhea. In more severe cases of an electrolyte shortage, healthcare professionals may administer the electrolyte orally or through an IV drip.
Hyperkalaemia , a serum potassium greater than 5. Clinical signs of hyperkalaemia include muscle weakness, hypotension , bradycardia and loss of cardiac output. ECG changes may include peaked T waves and flattened P waves. Magnesium , or Mg , is another element that has a strong effect on muscle contractions. The normal plasma range for magnesium is 0. Hypomagnesaemia , or a decreased plasma magnesium level, may be caused by decreased intake or increased loss of magnesium.
Clinical signs include confusion, irritability, delirium, muscle tremors and tachyarrhythmias. Hypermagnesaemia is when the level of magnesium in the blood is above the normal range.
Fortunately, this is uncommon. Symptoms include poor reflexes, low blood pressure , respiratory depression and cardiac arrest. It is usually caused by the excessive administration of magnesium and lithium therapy, often in the presence of renal failure. Calcium, or Ca , is an important element in the body as it helps to control nerve impulses, muscle contractions and has a role in clotting.
The serum calcium range should be between 2. Hypocalcaemia , the presence of low serum calcium levels in the blood, is relatively rare because the bones always act as a reservoir for this electrolyte. However, parathyroid disease, vitamin D deficiency, septic shock and acute pancreatitis can cause this problem. Some symptoms include tetany involuntary muscle contraction , mental changes and decreased cardiac output.
Hypercalcaemia , elevated levels of calcium in the blood, again arises from parathyroid problems and vitamin D issues. Signs of this form of electrolyte imbalance include nausea and vomiting , polyuria, muscular weakness and mental disturbance.
Phosphate , or P , is an electrolyte used in several functions throughout the body. Although a phosphate imbalance isn't as well known as some of the other imbalances, it can still cause problems with your patient's condition. The normal range of phosphate in the plasma is generally between 0.
Others have a negative electric charge. The anion gap is a measurement of the difference between the negatively charged and positively charged electrolytes. If the anion gap is either too high or too low, it may be a sign of a serious health problem. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
Electrolyte Panel. What is an electrolyte panel? An electrolyte panel, also known as a serum electrolyte test, is a blood test that measures levels of the body's main electrolytes: Sodium , which helps control the amount of fluid in the body.
It also helps your nerves and muscles work properly. Chloride , which also helps control the amount of fluid in the body.
In addition, it helps maintain healthy blood volume and blood pressure. Potassium , which helps your heart and muscles work properly. Bicarbonate , which helps maintain the body's acid and base balance. It also plays an important role in moving carbon dioxide through the bloodstream.
What is it used for? Why do I need an electrolyte panel?
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