Common "Anion Gap" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Anion Gap

The anion gap is the difference or gap between the positively charged and negatively charged electrolytes. When the anion gap is too high or too low, it may be due to a disorder in the kidneys, lungs, or other organ systems. An anion gap is considered high when it is over 12 mEq/L, and it becomes high due to the acid produced by the body.

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My anion gap values are out of normal range. What should I do?

Query: Hi doctor,My three questions are related to laboratory investigations that I got done last month.1) I would like to have a verification that I calculated this correctly.Anion Gap (with K) = (Na + K) - (Cl + HCO3). When I do this using my laboratory investigation values, I get (138 + 3.7) - (102 + 19...  Read Full »


Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Parry

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Let me try to answer your queries. 1. Firstly, you are right. Anion gap in your laboratory values is high, and bicarbonate is low. This gives us a diagnosis of high anion gap metabolic acidosis (after we have ruled out respiratory causes). 2. Regarding what is the iss...  Read Full »

Should I be concerned about my anion gap?

Query: Hello doctor, I need help deciphering my laboratory results. I had bloodwork to check liver function test since I am on 750 mg of Oxycarbazepine a day. A few results were either high or low, and I am paranoid that something is wrong.  Read Full »


Dr. Anshul Varshney

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Any investigations need to be correlated with clinical symptoms. So, in general, your reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity) have nothing alarming. Low creatinine, disturbed anion gap, and chloride can be a result of some dehydration or overhydration. ...  Read Full »

I am anxious about my health and underwent a blood test recently, and my anion gap is low. Should I be concerned?

Query: Hi doctor,I am over-concerned about my health and just had my annual blood work done. Everything came back normal except for the low anion gap. It has been low for the past three times, but none of my doctors are concerned. When I looked online, it said a low score is rare and can even be because of...  Read Full »


Dr. Rajesh Gulati

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read the query, and I can understand your concern. Lots of hydration or consuming electrolytes can impact the results. Therefore, you should not worry, it does not seem like multiple myeloma. For confirmation, you can test serum protein electrophoresis for M sp...  Read Full »

My lab reports showed that my anion gap is 1 mEq/L but it is not flagged. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I was recently going over lab tests that were done and it says my anion gap is 1 but it is not flagged. All other levels are in the completely normal range. Is this a lab error or not? My doctor was concerned but did not elaborate. Kindly suggest.  Read Full »


Dr. Utkarsh Sharma

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern and will definitely help you regarding it. If you feel otherwise healthy and fit, then a low anion gap is most commonly (in about 90 percent of occasions) due to a laboratory error. Because the anion gap is calculated from the results of the...  Read Full »

Can a low anion gap be caused due to a false positive result?

Query: Hi doctor, I am a 31-year-old female. I am currently taking 900 mg daily of Oxcarbazepine; I need help deciphering laboratory results. A few results were either low or high creatinine- 0.526, CL-108, and anion gap-2. Lymphocytes were also 45.5, even though my WBC was 7.7.  Read Full »


Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thanks for the query. I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you have recently have done some blood tests, and the results have shown serum creatinine is slightly below the normal level, and Cl is somewhat above normal. Your total white blood cells ...  Read Full »

My anion gap remains around 20 mmol/L. Is this bad?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 32 year old female, and I went to the ER four days back for SVT. Apparently, my anion gap was 20 mmol/L. Is this bad? The BUN was less than 3, ionized calcium was 1.11 and low creatinine. I am freaking out as no one went over the results with me. I have had four cases of SVT ...  Read Full »


Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Firstly, low BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine levels are not a matter of worry. Normal BUN range is from 2.5 to 7.1 mmol/L. Also, ionized calcium is a bit lower but still normal. Anion gap is high, but it has got significance if you have acidosis as well low...  Read Full »

My 10-month-old daughter has puffy eyes in the morning. Kindly help.

Query: Hi doctor,My 10 months old daughter has puffy eyes after she wakes up from sleep in the morning. Her blood results show AST (SGOT) as 71 IU/L. Puffiness will vanish during the day after few hours. Do we need to worry about this? Her AST (SGOT) is 71 IU/L, ALT (SGPT) is 28 IU/L, globulin is 1.8 g/dL...  Read Full »


Dr. Preeti Puranik

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Early morning puffy eyes commonly indicate some problem relating to the urinary system. It can even be a urinary infection. Get a urine analysis done. She also requires renal function tests (blood test). It is better you take her to a local pediatrician for a physi...  Read Full »

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