Blood Chemistry or Electrolyte Profile

The electrolyte profile is a commonly performed test that provides the physician with a wealth of information. This test provides information about "body salts," or electrolytes. The main blood electrolytes are; SODIUM, POTASSIUM, CHLORIDE, and CARBON DIOXIDE. All of these electrolytes are closely regulated in a healthy body, but are subject to abnormality in times of illness (vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, poor food or fluid intake, or adrenal gland disorders).

The electrolyte profile also gives the physician some idea of the acid/base balance (pH) of the body. This test is performed on blood obtained from a venipuncture. The diagnosis of dehydration may be made from this blood test.

Some medications can interfere with the blood electrolytes (diuretics).

APPROXIMATE NORMAL VALUES (blood from a vein)

Sodium (Na).............136 to 142 milliequivalents per liter

Potassium (K)...........3.8 to 5.0 milliequivalents per liter (elevated in kidney failure)

Chloride (Cl)...........95 to 103 milliequivalents per liter

Carbon Dioxide (C02)..22 to 38 millimoles per liter (low in cases of acidosis (low pH), as seen in diabetic ketoacidosis)

MEDICAL TESTS

Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal X-Ray
Allergy Testing
Amniocentesis
Amylase Blood Test
Angiodynography
Angiogram
Arterial Blood Gases
Arthrocentesis
Arthrogram
Barium Enema
Blood Chemistry
Blood Coagulation Test
Blood Cultures
Blood Glucose Test
Blood Test Smac 25
Bone Marrow Biopsy Aspiration
Cardiac Catheterization Angioplasty
Cardiac Enzymes
Cholesterol Blood Test
Complete Blood Count
CT Scanning Back
CT Scanning Chest Abdomen
Drug Levels
Glucose Tolerance Test
Hepatitis Blood Test
HIV Blood Test
Kidney Biopsy
Kidney Blood Test
Lipoproteins
Liver Biopsy
Liver Blood Test
Lymph Node Biopsy
Mononucleosis Test
Paracentesis
Peritoneal Lavage
Pregnancy Blood Test
Prostate Specific Antigen
Skin Biopsy
Spine X-Rays
Thyroid Biopsy
Thyroid Blood Test
Toxicology