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Electrolytes play a very important role in the human body because they are used by cells to maintain metabolism and body activities.
1. What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals and electrically charged fluids that exist in the blood, urine, and body tissues as insoluble salts.
Electrolytes play an important role in charge balance, helping the exchange processes to take place normally.
2. What is an Electrolyte Test?
Electrolyte test is a quantitative test of the concentration of electrolyte ions in the body. From these indicators indicate whether the level of electrolytes is normal, high, low or abnormal, how these indicators affect the health of the whole body. Electrolyte test results also play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with electrolyte disturbances and the treatment of other related conditions.
Nồng độ ion điện giải bất thường gây ra các bệnh lý trong cơ thể
3. Electrolyte test when needed?
Electrolyte testing is often ordered when the patient has signs of electrolyte disturbances in the body; accompanied by symptoms such as: dehydration, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, poor blood circulation,... Particularly for patients with known disease, testing for electrolytes is indicated. combined to evaluate acute or chronic disease, or the effect of drug therapy. Electrolyte tests give specific quantitative indicators of electrolytes, helping doctors accurately determine the patient's condition for treatment. In addition, in the monitoring and treatment of diseases such as: heart failure, hypertension, liver disease, kidney disease, electrolyte tests may also be indicated.
4. What do electrolyte test results say?
4.1 Reflecting the medical condition related to the blood sodium disorder Hypernatremia
Normal blood sodium level from 135-145 mmol/l plays a role in maintaining osmotic pressure. For some reason, the amount of sodium in the blood exceeds the normal level, causing dehydration in the cells, edema, and increased blood pressure. Clinically manifest: Thirst, weight loss, flabby skin, tachycardia, oliguria if condition This condition can lead to delirium and coma. Common causes of hypernatremia: Cushing's syndrome due to corticosteroids, Conn's syndrome due to primary hyperaldosteronism, in diabetes insipidus, coma in hyperosmolarity in diabetes Hyponatremia
When The amount of sodium in the blood is less than 135 mmol/l, resulting in hyponatremia causing hypotonicity of water cells in the cells, reducing blood volume, lowering blood pressure, possibly cardiovascular collapse, causing oliguria causing kidney failure, possibly edema brain... if sodium is not compensated in time, shock and coma Common causes: Excessive vomiting, diarrhea, heatstroke, excessive sweating, adrenal insufficiency (addison), renal tubular damage severe, chronic renal failure, taking diuretics.
Lượng natri trung bình trong máu trong khoảng 135-145mmol/l
4.2. Reflecting a pathological condition related to a blood potassium disorder Normal blood potassium level is from 3.5-5 mmol/l, potassium together with some other intracellular ions creates osmotic pressure for the intracellular, closes the blood pressure. plays an important role in muscle contraction, nerve conduction, enzyme activity,...
Hyperkalemia
When blood potassium concentration is greater than 5 mmol/l, clinical manifestations such as:
Whole body numbness, itching, paresthesia, especially in the perioral region and lower extremities, lethargy, confusion, mental confusion. Rhabdomyolysis: Fatigue, muscle weakness. Heart: Arrhythmia; urinary disorders; vomiting, diarrhea, sometimes intestinal paralysis. Severe hyperkalemia can lead to sudden, fatal cardiac arrest. Causes of hyperkalemia: Renal failure, shock, severe trauma, severe burns, rhabdomyolysis, acidosis, adrenal insufficiency. Hypokalemia
When the blood potassium level is below 3.5 mmol/l, there will be manifestations such as: Muscle weakness, muscle pain, cramps, constipation, cardiovascular manifestations such as arrhythmia, decreased blood pressure. If potassium is not compensated, it can lead to torsades de pointes arrhythmias, cardiac arrest. Common causes: Fasting, alcoholism, malabsorption, gastrointestinal loss, vomiting, diarrhea, diuretics. 4.3 Reflecting a medical condition related to a chlorine disorder Normal blood chloride concentration from 90-110 mmol/l creates the body's osmotic pressure
Hyperchloremia
The patient has increased blood chloride concentration ( hyperchloremic) often have clinical symptoms such as: muscle weakness, rapid deep breathing, fatigue. Causes: Dehydration, diabetes insipidus, adrenal hypertrophy, diabetes Hypochloremia
Patients with hypochloremia may present with increased muscle tone, muscle spasticity ( tetany) and shallow breathing. Causes: Salt loss, binge eating, adrenal insufficiency. Customers who need electrolyte testing at Vinmec International General Hospital can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide for examination or contact the hotline HERE for support.
MORE:
How much potassium is normal? Meaning of blood potassium test Causes of hyperkalemia
