Serum electrolytes are substances that circulate in the blood and control such things as cardiac function and

muscle contraction. They are one set of many HIV blood tests typically run at any given trip to your doctor. This HIV blood test measures the four most common electrolytes and two measures of kidney function. Sodium (Na+) Sodium is primarily responsible for maintaining osmotic pressure. In other words, it maintains intracellular and extracellular fluid levels in the body. An increased serum sodium is present in states of dehydration as a result of diarrhea or vomiting. Low sodium levels usually are a result of too much water in the body. Normal values: 135 145 Potassium (K+) Potassium is a major component in cardiac function. Even small changes in Potassium can cause abnormal cardiac arrhythmias, affecting cardiac function. Too much potassium in the blood is usually caused by poor kidney function and can cause abnormal and sometimes fatal abnormalities in the heart rhythm. Low potassium levels are usually the result of potassium loss from excessive urination or from vomiting. A potassium level that is too low can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Normal values: 3.5 - 5.0 Chloride (Cl-) In combination with sodium, chloride maintains fluid levels by regulating osmotic pressure in the blood. An elevated chloride usually results from abnormal kidney function. A chloride level below normal usually results from excessive vomiting or diarrhea. Normal values: 100 106 Bicarbonate (HCO3-) The serum bicarbonate is the major buffer in the body, helping to maintain the proper blood pH. Proper blood pH is essential to life. Normal values: 35 45 Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Urea is a waste product resulting from protein metabolism. It is made in the liver and carried via the blood to the kidneys where it is excreted. An elevated BUN can indicate kidney dysfunction or poor blood circulation to the kidneys. Normal values: 8 25 Creatinine (CR) Creatinine is a waste product formed when muscle tissue uses energy sources. It is carried to the kidneys via the blood and excreted from the body. Elevated levels can indicate kidney dysfunction. Normal values: 0.6 - 1.5 sweat chloride: The sweat chloride test is a common and simple test used to evaluate a patient who is suspected of having cystic fibrosis (CF), the most commonlethal genetic disease affecting Caucasians. 460 mmol/l serum calcium: Serum calcium is a laboratory test to measure the amount of calcium in your blood. 8.510.5 mg/dl (2.02.5 mmol/l); alert levels: less than 6.0 mg/dl and greater than 13.0 mg/dl ionized calcium: Ionized calcium is calcium that is freely flowing in your blood and not attached to proteins. It is also called free calcium. 1.01.3 mmol/l serum inorganic phosphorus: The serum phosphorus test measures the amount of phosphate in the blood. 2.34.7 mg/dl (children, 4.07.0 mg/dl); alert level: less than 1.0 mg/dl serum magnesium: A serum magnesium test is a measurement of how much magnesium there is in the blood. 1.83.0 mg/dl (1.22.0 meq/l or 0.51.0 mmol/l) ionized magnesium: is the only viable method of diagnosing magnesium deficiency and following magnesium repletion therapy. 0.530.67 mmol/l