eazy
Well-known member
It took a few days but I finally learned about something.
TIL how it is possible to have normal lab markers for potassium and sodium but still be dehydrated.
What brought this on is a question about high hematocrit. My first questions are always about the persons hydration.
I asked how much sodium and potassium they got yesterday in their food log in mg's. They gave me lab values. Which were in range.
A normal blood test result for potassium does not necessarily mean your body is getting enough from your diet. The body works hard to tightly regulate potassium levels in the blood, so a reading in the normal range is a sign that your homeostatic mechanisms are working, not that your intake is sufficient.
Here is an explanation of how your body maintains potassium levels and why you should be cautious about low dietary intake.
How potassium is regulated
Only about 2% of your body's total potassium is in your blood, with the remaining 98% stored inside your cells, especially in muscle and liver tissue. This vast intracellular store acts as a buffer to maintain a steady concentration of potassium in the blood. Even with low dietary intake, your body can pull from these reserves to keep your blood levels normal.
sodium and potassium are in the basic metabolic panel (BMP) to assess kidney health
Serum sodium and potassium levels are important indicators of hydration status, but they must be interpreted alongside other factors
To assess hydration from labs you need an electrolyte panel, it is a blood test that measures the levels of several essential minerals in the body called electrolytes. Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Chloride (Cl), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Phosphate (P).
Sodium, which helps control the amount of fluid in your body. It also helps your nerves and muscles work properly.
Chloride, which also helps control the amount of fluid in your body. In addition, it helps maintain healthy blood volume and blood pressure.
Potassium, which helps your cells, heart, and muscles work properly.
Bicarbonate, which helps maintain your body's acid- base balance (pH). It also plays an important role in moving carbon dioxide through the bloodstream.
Calcium, which helps make and keep your bones and teeth strong.
Magnesium, which helps your muscles, nerves, and heart work properly. It also helps control blood pressure and blood glucose (blood sugar) levels.
Phosphate, which works together with the mineral calcium to build strong bones and teeth.
You get these electrolytes from the foods you eat and the fluids you drink.
The levels of electrolytes in your body can become too low or too high. This can happen when the amount of water in your body changes. The amount of water that you take in should equal the amount you lose. If something upsets this balance, you may have too little water (dehydration) or too much water (overhydration).
TIL how it is possible to have normal lab markers for potassium and sodium but still be dehydrated.
What brought this on is a question about high hematocrit. My first questions are always about the persons hydration.
I asked how much sodium and potassium they got yesterday in their food log in mg's. They gave me lab values. Which were in range.
A normal blood test result for potassium does not necessarily mean your body is getting enough from your diet. The body works hard to tightly regulate potassium levels in the blood, so a reading in the normal range is a sign that your homeostatic mechanisms are working, not that your intake is sufficient.
Here is an explanation of how your body maintains potassium levels and why you should be cautious about low dietary intake.
How potassium is regulated
Only about 2% of your body's total potassium is in your blood, with the remaining 98% stored inside your cells, especially in muscle and liver tissue. This vast intracellular store acts as a buffer to maintain a steady concentration of potassium in the blood. Even with low dietary intake, your body can pull from these reserves to keep your blood levels normal.
sodium and potassium are in the basic metabolic panel (BMP) to assess kidney health
Serum sodium and potassium levels are important indicators of hydration status, but they must be interpreted alongside other factors
To assess hydration from labs you need an electrolyte panel, it is a blood test that measures the levels of several essential minerals in the body called electrolytes. Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Chloride (Cl), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Phosphate (P).
Sodium, which helps control the amount of fluid in your body. It also helps your nerves and muscles work properly.
Chloride, which also helps control the amount of fluid in your body. In addition, it helps maintain healthy blood volume and blood pressure.
Potassium, which helps your cells, heart, and muscles work properly.
Bicarbonate, which helps maintain your body's acid- base balance (pH). It also plays an important role in moving carbon dioxide through the bloodstream.
Calcium, which helps make and keep your bones and teeth strong.
Magnesium, which helps your muscles, nerves, and heart work properly. It also helps control blood pressure and blood glucose (blood sugar) levels.
Phosphate, which works together with the mineral calcium to build strong bones and teeth.
You get these electrolytes from the foods you eat and the fluids you drink.
The levels of electrolytes in your body can become too low or too high. This can happen when the amount of water in your body changes. The amount of water that you take in should equal the amount you lose. If something upsets this balance, you may have too little water (dehydration) or too much water (overhydration).
