A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Electrolytes, Plasma or Serum
Test CodeLYTES - NOCO
CPT Codes
80051
Includes
Preferred Specimen
1 ml serum from Green top (Lithium Heparin)
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Note: For neonate requirements see Neonate Minimum Blood Volumes
Note: For neonate requirements see Neonate Minimum Blood Volumes
Other Acceptable Specimens
1 mL serum from Serum Gel or Red Top
Specimen Stability
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
Plasma Li Hep | Refrigerated | 48 hours |
Serum SST | Refrigerated | 48 hours |
Red Top – Separated* | Refrigerated | 48 hours |
*Centrifuge and aliquot into a plastic vial.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross hemolysis
Methodology
Potentiometric/Rate
Setup Schedule
Monday through Sunday; Continuously
Report Available
Same day
Reference Range
ANION GAP:
0-31 days: 13-29 mmol/L
>31days: 21-32 mmol/L
Critical value (automatic call-back): <11 mmol/L or >40 mmol/L
CHLORIDE:
- 4 - 16
0-31 days: 13-29 mmol/L
>31days: 21-32 mmol/L
Critical value (automatic call-back): <11 mmol/L or >40 mmol/L
CHLORIDE:
- 95 - 108 mmol/L
- 0 - 8 days: 3.2 - 5.5 mmol/L
- 8 - 31 days: 3.4 - 6.0 mmol/L
- 1 - 7 months: 3.5 - 5.6 mmol/L
- 7 months - 1 year: 3.5 - 6.1 mmol/L
- 1 - 150 years: 3.6 - 5.3 mmol/L
- Critical value (automatic call-back):
- 0-31 days: <3.0 or >7.0 mmol/L
- 31 days-1 year: <3.0 or >6.1 mmol/L
- 1-150 years: <3.0 or >6.0 mmol/L
- 134 - 147 mmol/L
- Critical values (automatic call-back):
- 0-64 years: <121 or >159 mmol/L
- 64-150 years: <126 or >154 mmol/L
Clinical Significance
Sodium is the major extracellular cation and functions to maintain fluid distribution and osmotic pressure. Some causes of decreased levels of sodium include prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, diminished reabsorption in the kidney and excessive fluid retention. Common causes of increased sodium include excessive fluid loss, high salt intake and increased kidney reabsorption. Potassium is the major intracellular cation and is critical to neural and muscle cell activity. Some causes of decreased potassium levels include reduced intake of dietary potassium or excessive loss of potassium from the body due to diarrhea, prolonged vomiting or increased renal excretion. Increased potassium levels may be caused by dehydration or shock, severe burns, diabetic ketoacidosis, and retention of potassium by the kidney. Chloride is the major extracellular anion and serves to regulate the balance of extracellular fluid distribution. Similarly to the other ions, common causes of decreased chloride include reduced dietary intake, prolonged vomiting and reduced renal reabsorption as well as some forms of acidosis and alkalosis. Increased chloride values are found in dehydration, kidney failure, some forms of acidosis, high dietary or parenteral chloride intake, and salicylate poisoning.
Performing Laboratory
Banner Fort Collins Medical Center Laboratory
McKee Medical Center Laboratory
North Colorado Medical Center Laboratory
Summit View Laboratory