Sodium
A key element that regulates the volume of fluid in the body, blood pressure and the transmission of nerve impulses. Participates in maintaining osmotic pressure.
Changes in sodium levels may indicate dehydration, kidney or heart failure, hormonal imbalance.
Normal range: 135–145 mmol/l
Reasons for increased values: taking salt preparations, dehydration, diabetes
Reasons for decreased values: excessive fluid intake, chronic diseases, taking diuretics
Potassium
One of the main intracellular ions. Vital for proper contraction of the heart muscle, skeletal muscle tone and normal functioning of the nervous system. Even small deviations in potassium levels can cause heart rhythm disturbances or muscle cramps.
Normal range: 3.5–5.1 mmol/l
Reasons for increased values: renal failure, trauma, taking potassium-sparing drugs
Reasons for decreased values: vomiting, diarrhea, lack of potassium in food, excessive sweating
Chloride
Works in tandem with sodium, participates in the regulation of water-electrolyte balance and maintaining acid-base balance.
Helps to identify acid-base metabolism disorders (acidosis, alkalosis), as well as to assess kidney and gastrointestinal function.
Normal range: 97–108 mmol/l
Reasons for increased values: dehydration, kidney disease
Reasons for decreased values: vomiting, fluid loss, acid-base imbalance
Calcium
More than 99% of calcium is stored in bones and teeth, but it is the "free" fraction in the blood that affects muscle contractions, blood clotting, heart rhythm and the functioning of the nervous system.
Indicates: calcium level deviations may indicate problems with the parathyroid glands, vitamin D or bone metabolism.
Normal range: 2.15–2.65 mmol/l
Reasons for increased values: hyperparathyroidism, malignant tumors, excess vitamin D
Reasons for decreased values: vitamin D deficiency, malabsorption, kidney disease
Magnesium
Participates in more than 300 enzymatic reactions. Important for the transmission of nerve impulses, muscle relaxation, heart rhythm stability and energy production.
Magnesium imbalance can cause muscle weakness, tremors, cramps, irritability and arrhythmia.
Normal range: 0.66–1.07 mmol/l
Reasons for increased values: renal failure, excess magnesium intake
Reasons for decreased values: stress, alcoholism, dietary deficiency, diuretic use
Phosphates
Phosphates are essential for the formation of bones and teeth, and are also involved in energy metabolism (ATP), acid-base balance and muscle function.
Phosphate levels reflect the condition of bone tissue, parathyroid gland and kidney function.
Normal range: 0.81–1.45 mmol/l
Reasons for increased values: renal failure, hypoparathyroidism
Reasons for decreased values: hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, chronic starvation
Bicarbonates
A buffer system that maintains a stable blood pH level. Their levels indicate the presence or absence of acidosis (acidification) or alkalosis (alkalinization).
Deviations from the norm are important in chronic lung diseases, kidney diseases, metabolic disorders and diabetes.
Normal range: 22–29 mmol/l
Reasons for increased values: metabolic alkalosis, CO₂ retention in lung diseases
Reasons for decreased values: metabolic acidosis, ketoacidosis, renal failure
