Anion gap redux, potassium?

[Vlaminck]

Recently i saw on here a discussion of low anion gap. I tried searching on HU but only found posts by people talking about other diseases, so clearly not the post and discussion I recall. Can anyone direct me to that discussion? If not, can anyone summarize the significance of low anion gap? Just got back from lab, not much time to discuss labs with doc, but anion gap 4. Also potassium 5.9, although I have often been high but never this high. PS Albumin is in normal range.

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Vlaminick, here is Cleveland Clinic's site regarding Electrolyte tests which involve the anion gap

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

[Vlaminck in reply to cllady01]

Thank you, CLLady

[Be_positive]

The high potassium could be a false reading, it was for my dad. Blood labs need to be pulled in a particular way -I believe slowly drawing blood, not shaking the blood in the vial, hand deliver to the lab, use a flat needle. My dad was reading as high as 6.4 but when the blood was drawn correctly same day, it registered in normal ranges. Unfortunately the nurses did not learn that until several days after being in the hospital and receiving dextrose to flush the potassium, followed by insulin and many blood glucose readings…potassium is actually low now from all that.

[Be_positive in reply to Be_positive]

I believe the potassium is released from the WBC or other factors if drawn incorrectly. Also, ideally a tourniquet should not be used when drawing blood. Someone posted this link several years ago - mayoclinic.org/symptoms/hyp...

[Vlaminck in reply to Be_positive]

Thank you, Be_positive , I am aware it could be a goof in the collection, but I have been tending to have high potassium all the last couple years -- just not this high. I have asked for a retest since I am also asking for a retest of my differentials (with blasophils and blasts). Will report back.

[Lavinia-Blue]

I believe it was 1 month ago. Titled "Anyone have an anion gap test?" A search might bring it up.

[Vlaminck]

Thank you, Lavinia-Blue.

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Vlaminck,

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Lavinia-Blue is correct. healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

I found it on the posts page for this community (not the entire HU site- see the screen shot below- the search box I used is in the middle of the page NOT at the top). -

And found 8 other postings (2 of them yours) here: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

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Len

Search for Anion Gap inside this community

[Vlaminck in reply to lankisterguy]

Thanks, Lankisterguy. I knew I'd seen discussion, and of course I posted one yesterday -- didn't recall previously doing so (senior moment?) Only figured out yesterday, after my post, how to search WITHIN the CLL community, which helps a lot.