Electrolytes

Original Editor - Lucinda hampton

Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Joseph Ayotunde Aderonmu and Kim Jackson  

Introduction

Electrolytes are essential for basic life functioning eg

• Maintaining electrical neutrality in cells
• Generating and conducting action potentials in the nerves and muscles.
• Sodium, potassium, and chloride are the significant electrolytes along with magnesium, calcium, phosphate, and bicarbonates.

Electrolytes come from our food and fluids.

• These electrolytes can have an imbalance, leading to either high or low levels. High or low levels of electrolytes disrupt normal bodily functions and can lead to even life-threatening complications.

Indication for Analysis

Indications to order serum electrolyte panel are numerous. Some of which include:

• As a part of routine blood investigations
• For in-patients and ICU patients, the monitoring of serum electrolytes often occurs daily or more frequently as they can be affected by the medications, fluid therapy, diet changes, and illnesses.
• Any illness that can cause electrolyte derangement eg.malnutrition, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiac disorders, kidney dysfunction, endocrine disorders, circulatory disorders, lung disorders, acid-base imbalance
• Arrhythmias, cardiac arrest
• Use of diuretics or any medications that can interfere with fluid and electrolyte homeostasis

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