Electrolytes
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr, MD, FACP, FACR
What are electrolytes?
Chemically, electrolytes are substances that become ions in solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity. Electrolytes are present in the human body, and the balance of the electrolytes in our bodies is essential for normal function of our cells and our organs.
Common electrolytes that are measured by doctors with blood testing include
sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. The functions and normal range
values for these electrolytes are described below.
Sodium
Sodium is the major positive ion (cation) in fluid
outside of cells. The chemical notation for sodium is Na+. When combined with
chloride, the resulting substance is table salt. Excess sodium (such as that
obtained from dietary sources) is excreted in the urine. Sodium regulates the total amount
of water in the body and the transmission of sodium into and out of individual
cells also plays a role in critical body functions. Many processes in the body,
especially in the brain, nervous system, and muscles, require electrical signals
for communication. The movement of sodium is critical in generation of these
electrical signals. Too much or too little sodium therefore can cause cells to
malfunction, and extremes in the blood sodium levels (too much or too little)
can be fatal.
- Increased sodium (hypernatremia) in the blood occurs whenever there is excess sodium in relation to water. There are numerous causes of hypernatremia; these may include kidney disease, too little water intake, and loss of water due to
diarrhea and/or
vomiting.
- A decreased concentration of sodium (hyponatremia) occurs whenever there is a relative increase in the amount of body water relative to sodium. This happens with some diseases of the liver and kidney, in patients with
congestive heart failure, in
burn victims, and in numerous other conditions.
A Normal blood sodium level is 135 - 145 milliEquivalents/liter (mEq/L), or in international units, 135 - 145
millimoles/liter (mmol/L).
Potassium
Potassium is the
major positive ion (cation) found inside of cells. The chemical notation for
potassium is K+. The proper level of potassium is essential for normal cell
function. Among the many functions of potassium in the body are regulation of
the heartbeat and the function of the muscles. A seriously abnormal increase in
potassium (hyperkalemia) or decrease
in potassium (hypokalemia) can profoundly affect the nervous system and
increases the chance of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), which, when extreme,
can be fatal.
- Increased potassium is known as hyperkalemia. Potassium is normally excreted by the kidneys, so disorders that decrease the function of the kidneys can result in hyperkalemia. Certain medications may also predispose an individual to hyperkalemia.
- Hypokalemia, or decreased potassium, can arise due to kidney diseases; excessive loss due to heavy sweating,
vomiting, or
diarrhea, eating disorders, certain medications, or other causes.
The normal blood potassium level is 3.5 - 5.0 milliEquivalents/liter (mEq/L),
or in international units, 3.5 - 5.0 millimoles/liter (mmol/L).
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