What Does the Anion Gap Blood Test Measure?

It can also detect alkalosis, which happens when your blood is not acidic enough.

It is important to find the cause and treat it as soon as possible.

Blood tests to be analyzed for anion gap

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Normal blood contains electrically charged particles.

These charged particles contribute to a bloods pH.

The anion gap blood test usually takes less than five minutes and doesn’t require any specific preparation.

You may have slight pain or bruising at the injection site.

The anion gap is not usually ordered as a separate test.

What Are Electrolytes?

Electrolytes are found in your blood, urine, tissues, and other body fluids.

Examples of electrolytes include calcium, potassium, sodium, and chloride.

They are important for many bodily functions.

What Do the Results of an Anion Gap Blood Test Mean?

In some cases, a false normal anion gap can occur due to severe kidney disease or certain medications.

A low or high anion gap blood test determines whether you have alkalosis or acidosis.

What Does It Mean When Your Anion Gap Is High?

A high anion gap test result means you have more acid in your blood than normal.

A high anion gap test result may be triggered by acidosis.

What Does It Mean When Your Anion Gap Is Low?

A low anion gap test result may be brought on by alkalosis.

To fix a low anion gap, treatment will depend on the underlying cause.

Treatment will depend on the cause of the blood pH imbalance.

Testing.com.Electrolytes and anion gap test.

MedlinePlus.Fluid and electrolyte balance.

Bianchetti DGAM, Amelio GS, Lava SAG, et al.D-lactic acidosis in humans: systematic literature review.Pediatr Nephrol.

2019;11(3):e4297.