Electrolyte

• Electrolytes are molecules capable of carrying an electric charge.
• Cations have a positive charge and are represented by the symbol ( - ).
• Anions have a negative charge and are represented by the symbol (+).
• Electrolytes play a significant role in volume and osmotic regulation (Na+), myocardial rhythm and contractility (K+), enzyme activation (Mg2+), and neuromuscular excitability.
• The four major electrolytes are Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Chloride (Cl-), and Bicarbonate (HCO3-).
• Anion Gap is the difference between the unmeasured anions and unmeasured cations, created by the concentration difference between the commonly measured cations (Na+ & K+) and commonly measured anions (Cl- & HCO3-).
• Anion Gap is useful in indicating an increase in one or more of the unmeasured anions in the serum and serves as a form of quality control for the analyzer used to measure these electrolytes.
• Abnormal anion gaps in serum from healthy person indicate an instrument problem.
• Cations are Sodium (Na+), Chloride (Cl-), Calcium (Ca+), Inorganic phosphate (Pi+), Magnesium (Mg+).
• The normal range for electrolytes in the blood is Na+ 135 - 145mmol/L, K+ 3.5 - 5.1 mmol/L, Cl - 98 - 107 mmol/L, HCO3 - 21 - 28 mEq/L or 23 - 29 mmol/L, and Mg2+ 1.26 - 2.10 mg/dL or 0.63 - 1.0 mmol/L.
• Other reducing agents used in the Fiske Subbarow Method include Elon, which is methyl amino phenol, and Senidine, which is N - phenyl - P - Phenylene diamine hydrochloride.
• Renal Tubular Defects are a type of Xedema that occurs when the kidneys are unable to excrete phosphate, leading to ATP depletion.
• Xedema is a condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the tissues due to the inability of the kidneys to excrete sodium.
• The reducing agent in the Fiske Subbarow Method is Pictol, which is an amino naphtol sulfonic acid.
• The end product in the Fiske Subbarow Method is Phosphomolybdenum blue.
• Ascorbic acid is also used as a reducing agent in the Fiske Subbarow Method.
• The Fiske Subbarow Method, also known as the Ammonium phosphomolybdate method, is a method used to detect Renal Tubular Defects.
• The organs and glands affected by Cystic Fibrosis (mucoviscidosis) include the pancreas, respiratory system, and sweat glands (PRS).
• Anions are Bicarbonate (HCO3-), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Calcium (Ca+), Inorganic phosphate (Pi+), Magnesium (Mg+).
• Bicarbonate (HCO 3 - ) is the most abundant intracellular anion and the second most abundant anion in the extracellular fluid (ECF).
• Cystic Fibrosis (mucoviscidosis) is an inherited disorder of exocrine glands that results in abnormal thick secretion of mucus and elevation of sweat electrolytes.
• Bicarbonate (HCO 3 - ) diffuses out of the cell in exchange for chloride to maintain ionic charge neutrality.
• Bicarbonate (HCO 3 - ) is the major component of the buffering system in the blood.
• Adult calcium level is 8.6mg/dL, with a reference range of 4.6 - 5.3mg/dL.
• Calcium (Ca 2+ ) has three forms: ionized (active) Ca - 45%, CHON bound Ca - 40%, and complex with anions - 15%.
• Bicarbonate (HCO 3 - ) buffers excess hydrogen by combining with acid.
• Calcium (Ca 2+ ) is maximally absorbed in the duodenum at an acidic pH.
• Specimen for Bicarbonate (HCO 3 - ) measurement is blood anaerobically collected (heparin).
• Calcium (Ca 2+ ) is 99% present in bones and 1% in extracellular fluid (ECF).
• Hypocalcemia can be caused by Alkalosis, Vit.D deficiency, Primary hypoparathyroidism, Hypomagnesemia, Malabsorption syndrome, and Primary hypocalcemia (low PTH).
• Hormones affecting calcium levels include 1,25 - dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25 - (OH) 2 - D3], Parathyroid Hormone (PTH), and Calcitonin.
• Calcium (Ca 2+ ) is involved in blood coagulation, enzyme activity, excitability of skeletal muscle, cardiac and maintenance of blood pressure.
• Diagnostic test for Cystic Fibrosis (mucoviscidosis) is Sweat test (Inc NaCl).
• Hypercalcemia is primarily caused by Primary hyperparathyroidism, cancer, acidosis, increased Vit.D, and Multiple Myeloma.
• Reference range for Bicarbonate (HCO 3 - ) in arterial blood is 21 - 28 mEq/L.
• Sweat inducer for Cystic Fibrosis (mucoviscidosis) is Pilocarpine.
• Sodium (Na+) is also known as "Natrium" and its Reference Value is 135 - 145mmol/L.
• Sodium (Na+) is the major ECF cation, hence the major contributor of osmolality, the principal osmotic particle and regulator outside the cell, and its excretion is largely affected by AVP release in response to changes in either blood volume or osmolality.
• Potassium's function is neuromuscular excitability, heart contraction, ICF volume and hydrogen ion concentration, and its ratio is 20:1.
• Atrial Natriuretic Factor (ANF) is an endogenous antihypertensive agent secreted from the cardiac atria, it blocks aldosterone and renin secretion, inhibits the action of angiotensin II and vasopressin, and causes natriuresis, all in response to high blood volume.