Question 1

what do doctors learn from the cbc and electrolytes tests?

Accepted Answer

Lots of things: Both are totally basic to health screening in today's medicine. The CBC is key in the emergency management of anemia and bleeding problems while the electrolytes guide fluid therapy. Interpreting them as part of the diagnostic process is a lifetime's study -- and a cold-water swim can alter a CBC far more dramatically than systemic cancer. Always look at the big picture.

Question 2

symptoms of bad muscle cramping/fatigue/aching all over body brought on by activity that has gotten worse over the years. blood/electrolyte/genetic tests have been normal. emg shows increase insertional activity in 1 muscle. can this mean anything?

Accepted Answer

: Increased insertional activity only has clinical meaning when it is diffused and you only have that finding in one muscle so I doubt its significance.

Question 3

i have chronic muscle cramping/ache/fatigue all over body brought on by activity that has gotten worse over past 5 years. i have no muscle atrophy/weakness. blood/electrolyte/ genetic tests are all normal. can this be a muscle/neuromuscular disease?

Accepted Answer

: If muscle biopsy and EMG are also normal, chronic fatigue syndrome, also as known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, should be in the differential diagnosis.

Question 4

can dehydration cause a buildup of potassium in electrolyte blood tests without any other signs of kidney damage in tests?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration: If you become dehydrated enough the blood flow to the kidneys can decrease and kidney failure can occur.  If the kidney failure is bad enough and if one is on certain medications such as potassium, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, spironolactone high potassium can occur.  With dehydration the kidneys are not damaged and will recover with hydration.

Question 5

im unable to be active or exercise because of debilitating muscle cramping/fatigue all over body. unable to do physical therapy. genetic tests and blood tests/electrolytes/magnesium/ ana are all normal. no atrophy or weakness. what could this be?

Accepted Answer

: Seid or systemic exertion intolerance disease is a relatively newly defined condition, somewhat derived from the previous chronic fatigue syndrome, otherwise poorly understood and that will have to be considered in the differential diagnosis among many others.

Question 6

constipation on and off for weeks, gas pains after eating, aching left flank pain with no uti symptoms. cbc/electrolytes and urine tests normal...?

Accepted Answer

More testing: It is good that Your initial testing has been normal, and suggests a benign etiology. However, you are continuing to have symptoms. At this point, after closer scrutiny of your lab testing, I would consider a CT scan with/or without  contrast, to evaluate for other Possible intra-abdominal problems. Additionally, you may benefit, from a GI Sub-specialist Evaluation

Question 7

ive been doing a very low carb diet for a long time now i eat protein and fats and all my blood tests and electrolytes have been good. i get severe muscle cramps all over my body everytime i do physical activity. can very low carb diet cause this?

Accepted Answer

: It is rather unusual  for this diet to cause this. It is a good idea to have a diet balanced in proteins, carbohydrates and fats for the body needs and uses them all. So I suggest you do that and take a multivite. If symptoms persist you would need re=evaluation for cause. Hope you feel better

Question 8

emg showed increased insertional activity in one muscle. i have chronic muscle cramping during activity all over my body. electrolyte, blood and genetic tests are all normal. no muscle weakness or atrophy. can this still be a neuro/muscular disorder?

Accepted Answer

: Based upon your post, see no reason to suspect a neuromuscular disorder at this point.  The EMG findings are inconsequential.  The cramping may respond to magnesium supplements, but you may do even better by a physical therapy and exercise program.  A virtual consult here at HT could review your testing and provide further directions (www.connect@healthtap.com).

Question 9

can a blood test measure electrolyte levels?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Blood test for electrolyte is a common lab test.

Question 10

would a full blood count test show electrolyte imbalances? or should i ask for a specific test?

Accepted Answer

No, you need bmp/cmp: A complete blood count will show indices related to your white and red blood counts, as well as your platelets.  It will not show any information related to the electrolytes; these are reflected in your basic or complete metabolic panel.

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Doctor answers about:

Electrolyte tests

A member asked:

What do doctors learn from the cbc and electrolytes tests?

A member asked:

Symptoms of bad muscle cramping/fatigue/aching all over body brought on by activity that has gotten worse over the years. blood/electrolyte/genetic tests have been normal. emg shows increase insertional activity in 1 muscle. can this mean anything?

A member asked:

I have chronic muscle cramping/ache/fatigue all over body brought on by activity that has gotten worse over past 5 years. i have no muscle atrophy/weakness. blood/electrolyte/ genetic tests are all normal. can this be a muscle/neuromuscular disease?

A member asked:

Can dehydration cause a buildup of potassium in electrolyte blood tests without any other signs of kidney damage in tests?

A member asked:

Im unable to be active or exercise because of debilitating muscle cramping/fatigue all over body. unable to do physical therapy. genetic tests and blood tests/electrolytes/magnesium/ ana are all normal. no atrophy or weakness. what could this be?

A member asked:

Constipation on and off for weeks, gas pains after eating, aching left flank pain with no uti symptoms. cbc/electrolytes and urine tests normal...?

A member asked:

Ive been doing a very low carb diet for a long time now i eat protein and fats and all my blood tests and electrolytes have been good. i get severe muscle cramps all over my body everytime i do physical activity. can very low carb diet cause this?

A member asked:

Emg showed increased insertional activity in one muscle. i have chronic muscle cramping during activity all over my body. electrolyte, blood and genetic tests are all normal. no muscle weakness or atrophy. can this still be a neuro/muscular disorder?

A member asked:

Can a blood test measure electrolyte levels?

A member asked:

Would a full blood count test show electrolyte imbalances? or should i ask for a specific test?

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