The normal value for the serum anion gap is 8-16 mEq/L. However, there are always unmeasurable anions, so an anion gap of less than 11 mEq/L using any of the equations listed in Description is considered normal. For the urine anion gap, the most prominently unmeasured anion is ammonia.
In this manner, what does a high anion gap indicate?
If your results show a high anion gap, you may have acidosis, which means higher than normal levels of acid in the blood. Acidosis may be a sign of dehydration, diarrhea, or too much exercise. It may also indicate a more serious condition such as kidney disease or diabetes.
What would cause a high anion gap?
Metabolic acidoses are categorized as high or normal anion gap based on the presence or absence of unmeasured anions in serum. Causes include accumulation of ketones and lactic acid, renal failure, and drug or toxin ingestion (high anion gap) and GI or renal HCO3 − loss (normal anion gap).
What are symptoms of low anion gap?
A person with acidosis may not experience any symptoms or may have nonspecific symptoms related to the underlying medical condition, such as:
- nausea or vomiting.
- fatigue.
- a headache.
- drowsiness.
- shortness of breath.
- rapid heart rate.
- low blood pressure.