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Serum Electrolyte Profile
Kidney
3 parameters
Report in 4Hrs
At Home
No Fasting Required
Details
Sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate.
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Parameters
- List of Tests
- Na
- K
- Cl
Serum Electrolyte Profile
- Why is it done?
- The Serum Electrolyte Profile measures key minerals (sodium, potassium, and chloride) that regulate fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction throughout the body
- Ordered to diagnose dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, kidney disease, heart disease, and metabolic disorders
- Commonly performed during routine physical examinations, emergency room visits, hospitalization, and in patients taking certain medications
- Used to monitor patients with hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, heart failure, or those receiving diuretic therapy
- Three tests work together to provide comprehensive assessment of electrolyte homeostasis and acid-base balance
- Helps identify causes of symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat, or confusion
- Normal Range
- Sodium (Na): 136-145 mEq/L (or mmol/L) - Normal range maintains proper osmotic pressure and nerve-muscle function
- Potassium (K): 3.5-5.0 mEq/L (or mmol/L) - Normal range is critical for cardiac rhythm and muscle function
- Chloride (Cl): 98-107 mEq/L (or mmol/L) - Normal range helps maintain acid-base balance and osmotic pressure
- Reference ranges may vary slightly between laboratories; always consult the specific laboratory's reference values
- Results below normal range indicate deficiency or depletion (hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypochloremia)
- Results above normal range indicate excess or retention (hypernatremia, hyperkalemia, hyperchloremia)
- Interpretation
- Sodium (Na) - Low (<136 mEq/L): Indicates hyponatremia, caused by excessive water intake, diuretics, liver disease, kidney disease, SIADH, or severe vomiting/diarrhea; symptoms include headache, confusion, seizures, and cerebral edema
- Sodium (Na) - High (>145 mEq/L): Indicates hypernatremia, caused by dehydration, excessive salt intake, diabetes insipidus, or water loss; symptoms include thirst, dry mucous membranes, mental confusion, and muscle weakness
- Potassium (K) - Low (<3.5 mEq/L): Indicates hypokalemia, caused by diuretics, diarrhea, vomiting, aldosteronism, or inadequate intake; severe cases cause cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and paralysis
- Potassium (K) - High (>5.0 mEq/L): Indicates hyperkalemia, caused by kidney disease, ACE inhibitors, potassium supplements, or tissue damage; can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, peaked T-waves on ECG, and muscle paralysis
- Chloride (Cl) - Low (<98 mEq/L): Indicates hypochloremia, associated with metabolic alkalosis, vomiting, diuretic use, or chronic respiratory acidosis; causes muscle weakness and cramping
- Chloride (Cl) - High (>107 mEq/L): Indicates hyperchloremia, associated with metabolic acidosis, dehydration, diarrhea, or kidney disease; causes weakness, lethargy, and deep labored breathing
- Medications affecting results: Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, lithium, and certain antibiotics can alter electrolyte levels
- Factors affecting readings: Hemolysis (blood cell destruction), lipemia (excess lipids), dehydration, recent exercise, prolonged tourniquet application, and time of day can influence results
- Associated Organs
- Sodium (Na): Primary regulation by kidneys through renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; also regulated by hypothalamus and pituitary gland through vasopressin (ADH)
- Sodium (Na): Helps diagnose chronic kidney disease, heart failure, cirrhosis, and endocrine disorders; abnormalities affect brain osmolarity and can cause neurological complications
- Potassium (K): Primary regulation by kidneys with secondary role for adrenal glands and muscle tissue; critical for cardiac function and skeletal muscle contraction
- Potassium (K): Helps diagnose kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, and adrenal insufficiency; abnormalities can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death
- Chloride (Cl): Primarily regulated by kidneys; works with sodium and potassium to maintain osmotic pressure and acid-base balance
- Chloride (Cl): Helps diagnose metabolic and respiratory acid-base disorders, dehydration, kidney disease, and gastrointestinal losses; abnormalities affect respiratory and digestive system function
- All three electrolytes are essential for nervous system function, with abnormalities potentially causing seizures, altered consciousness, and neurological damage
- Gastrointestinal tract losses through vomiting or diarrhea are common causes of electrolyte imbalances affecting all three minerals
- Follow-up Tests
- Blood glucose and HbA1c if abnormal sodium or potassium levels suggest diabetes or hyperglycemia-related osmotic effects
- Kidney function tests (creatinine and BUN) if electrolyte abnormalities suggest renal dysfunction or disease
- Plasma osmolality and urine osmolality if hyponatremia or hypernatremia is present to differentiate causes
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) if potassium is critically elevated or low to assess for cardiac arrhythmias
- Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis if acid-base disorder is suspected based on chloride and other electrolyte levels
- Thyroid function tests (TSH, free T4) if hyponatremia persists and SIADH is suspected
- Aldosterone and renin levels if hyperkalemia or resistant hypertension is associated with abnormal potassium
- Urine sodium, potassium, and chloride to determine if losses are renal or extrarenal in origin
- Liver function tests if hyponatremia is associated with cirrhosis or chronic liver disease
- Repeat serum electrolyte testing within 24-48 hours if critical values are found; then continue monitoring based on underlying cause (daily to weekly depending on acuity)
- Fasting Required?
- No - Fasting is NOT required for the Serum Electrolyte Profile; the test can be performed at any time of day
- Electrolyte levels are not affected by food intake or fasting status; results remain consistent regardless of meal timing
- Medications should generally be continued as prescribed unless specifically instructed otherwise by the healthcare provider
- For emergency electrolyte assessment, the test can be drawn immediately without any patient preparation
- Patients should inform the phlebotomist of any recent medications, especially diuretics, ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs, or corticosteroids that may affect results
- Adequate hydration (normal fluid intake) is recommended; excessive drinking of plain water immediately before testing may artificially lower sodium levels
- No dietary restrictions are necessary; normal diet and salt intake do not significantly affect test results
How our test process works!
