Question 1

i have an anion gap of 4 and the reference range starts at 5. years ago my anion gap was within ref range. why lower now? other bloodwork normal.

Accepted Answer

Not a concern: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Talk to the doctor who ordered the tests. Having said that, difference between 4 and 5 is not meaningful.
Wish you good health! - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 2

what does an anion gap of 14 (ref range: 3-12) indicate?

Accepted Answer

: There is a gap between + and - ions. I would just repeat again or better yet ask the Dr who has seen you and the results to narrow donw the possibilities of which their are hundreds.

Question 3

what does it mean if your anion gap is low and your sodium is normal in the middle of the range?  should i be concerned?

Accepted Answer

No need for worry: The anion gap is calculated by subtracting serum concentrations of chloride and bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) ions from sodium. If it falls below 3 meq/l, it is defined as low. The most common cause is laboratory error. Another less common explanation includes a low serum Albumin concentration.

Question 4

i recently got a blood panel for a routine physical. everything seemed to be in normal range except for a low (3) on my anion gap. what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

Nothing.: It is of no concern if other labs normal.  If you start or are having problems follow up with doctor to discuss solutions or other tests.

Question 5

please help what does this mean anion gap (na - (cl + co2)): my value 13 meq/l	 standard range 3 - 11 meq/l?

Accepted Answer

Probably OK: This is meaningless if the other electrolyte nunbers (Na, Cl, HCO3) and kidney function (BUN, creatinine) are normal. Don't worry about it. If others are abnormal, check with your doctor. Even then, probably nothing serious if they're pretty near normal, as you gap is now.

Question 6

bun norm. creat norm. bun/creat 22 (h) anion gap 19 (range 5-19). album 5.0 (h end of range 5.0). chloride 97 (l end 98). sodium 137. concern?? ag hi?

Accepted Answer

Lab: looks like normal lab, but you ask doctor who ordered lab to tell you for sure, because it takes clinical correlation with your history, physical exam, other testing, medications, etc.

Question 7

my a/g ratio on my fasting blood test was 0.93. my albumin was 3.9 (with a range of 3.4-5.0) and a globulin of 4.2 (with a normal range of 2.7-4.2). is this something i should be concerned about? my anion gap is also 1 (with a normal range of 5-15?

Accepted Answer

: Those results are abnormal (reversed A/G and low anion gap) but we can't make any conclusion without further medical information. Please follow with your doctor for further advice. Good luck.

Question 8

had blood work done and anion gap is 18. is this high? the lab defines this in normal range. is it? why do different labs have different normal ranges? if high what should i be looking for?

Accepted Answer

AG: 18 is high. Normal AG is 10-12, it is your measured albumin times 3. What was your bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) ? Do you have a medical history of any illness. If not then this can be a processing error and you may need a fresh sample drawn. Suggest look at the whole lab and discuss with the MD that ordered it. If you have no medical issues simply rpt it.

Question 9

i recently had some blood test done..creatinine came back as 1.6, bun is 19, glucose on the high side.....all other measurements are witin the range except for anion gap.  anion gap is 13, slightly above range.  what does this all mean?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say: Without knowing your past medical history and past testing.  But from what you mention your testing suggest some element of kidney dysfunction.  It's not clear if it's chronic or acute.  But you should reach out to your doctor if you have questions too. He/she will know you vest to be able to give you the most accurate description of what's going on.

Question 10

i have had a blood test to try to understand why i am experiencing fatigue. my ldh levels have come back quite a bit lower than the expected range. my anion gap was also low. little info online about next steps, diagnosis, etc?

Accepted Answer

: All laboratory/imaging results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Talk to the doctor who ordered the tests. Having said that, the information you provided is not sufficient to provide a meaningful opinion,    Wish you good health!

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Doctor answers about:

Anion gap reference range

A member asked:

I have an anion gap of 4 and the reference range starts at 5. years ago my anion gap was within ref range. why lower now? other bloodwork normal.

A member asked:

What does an anion gap of 14 (ref range: 3-12) indicate?

A member asked:

What does it mean if your anion gap is low and your sodium is normal in the middle of the range? should i be concerned?

A member asked:

I recently got a blood panel for a routine physical. everything seemed to be in normal range except for a low (3) on my anion gap. what does that mean?

A member asked:

Please help what does this mean anion gap (na - (cl + co2)): my value 13 meq/l standard range 3 - 11 meq/l?

A member asked:

Bun norm. creat norm. bun/creat 22 (h) anion gap 19 (range 5-19). album 5.0 (h end of range 5.0). chloride 97 (l end 98). sodium 137. concern?? ag hi?

A member asked:

My a/g ratio on my fasting blood test was 0.93. my albumin was 3.9 (with a range of 3.4-5.0) and a globulin of 4.2 (with a normal range of 2.7-4.2). is this something i should be concerned about? my anion gap is also 1 (with a normal range of 5-15?

A member asked:

Had blood work done and anion gap is 18. is this high? the lab defines this in normal range. is it? why do different labs have different normal ranges? if high what should i be looking for?

A member asked:

I recently had some blood test done..creatinine came back as 1.6, bun is 19, glucose on the high side.....all other measurements are witin the range except for anion gap. anion gap is 13, slightly above range. what does this all mean?

A member asked:

I have had a blood test to try to understand why i am experiencing fatigue. my ldh levels have come back quite a bit lower than the expected range. my anion gap was also low. little info online about next steps, diagnosis, etc?

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