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What Do These Blood Reports Indicate?
Question: I just received my blood work results, seems everything is normal except chloride level is up and anion gap is down below normal. I feel fatique most of the time.How can I bring these back to normal?
Brief Answer:
no specific diet but there are meds to be avoided if levels are significant
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Anion gap is the difference between positive cations (sodium and potassium) and negative anions (chloride and bicarbonate).
These values themselves do not cause fatigue so adjustment may not help this symptom. A high chloride normally does not occur on its own but if significant, there is a change in pH and bicarbonate levels as well.
If the increase in chloride and the change in anion gap is significant, because minor changes are not associated with problems , then further testing may be needed to find the cause.
That would involve further blood tests and urine tests.
There is no specific diet to adjust chloride levels and as mentioned , if the increase is minor ,it is not likely causing fatigue , but there are medications that should be avoided.
Medications such as calcium chloride, magnesium, some antibiotics, anti seizure medications.
A complete blood count, ESR and thyroid test should be done, if not already done, to check regarding your fatigue.
ESR checks for inflammation in the body.
no specific diet but there are meds to be avoided if levels are significant
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Anion gap is the difference between positive cations (sodium and potassium) and negative anions (chloride and bicarbonate).
These values themselves do not cause fatigue so adjustment may not help this symptom. A high chloride normally does not occur on its own but if significant, there is a change in pH and bicarbonate levels as well.
If the increase in chloride and the change in anion gap is significant, because minor changes are not associated with problems , then further testing may be needed to find the cause.
That would involve further blood tests and urine tests.
There is no specific diet to adjust chloride levels and as mentioned , if the increase is minor ,it is not likely causing fatigue , but there are medications that should be avoided.
Medications such as calcium chloride, magnesium, some antibiotics, anti seizure medications.
A complete blood count, ESR and thyroid test should be done, if not already done, to check regarding your fatigue.
ESR checks for inflammation in the body.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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