ELECTROLYTES

Description

ELECTROLYTES

What is an electrolyte ?
Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that help control the amount of fluids and the balance of acids and bases in your body. They also help control muscle and nerve activity, heart rhythm, and other important functions. 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.

Abnormal levels of any of these electrolytes can be a sign of a serious health problem, including kidney disease, high blood pressure, and a life-threatening irregularity in heart rhythm.

Other names: serum electrolyte test, lytes, sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), carbon dioxide (CO2).

What is it used for?
An electrolyte panel is often part of a routine blood screening or a comprehensive metabolic panel. The test may also be used to find out if your body has a fluid imbalance or an imbalance in acid and base levels.

Electrolytes are usually measured together. But sometimes they are tested individually. Separate testing may be done if a provider suspects a problem with a specific electrolyte.