Electrolyte Testing

What is an Electrolyte Panel?

An Electrolyte Panel is a blood test used to measure a patient’s levels of electrolytes and carbon dioxide in their blood. Electrolytes are minerals found in the body, including both sodium and potassium, which keep the body’s fluids balanced, and contribute to the normal operation of the body. The processes they are a part of include an individual’s heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and brain function, making electrolytes one of the more important aspects of maintaining health and proper body function.

Who May Need an Electrolyte Panel?

Many physicians use the Electrolyte Panel as part of a patient’s yearly checkup, though it is also sometimes utilized to diagnose certain medical conditions, or as a way of testing for improvements in a person’s health during various types of medical therapies. If a patient is experiencing edema, nausea, general weakness, confusion, or cardiac issues, an Electrolyte Panel can be ordered to determine if there is a significant deficiency or overabundance in these crucial minerals. It is also prescribed in order to monitor the effectiveness of treatments for high blood pressure, heart failure, or liver and kidney disease.

What Should I Expect from My Electrolyte Panel?

Electrolyte Panels begin with a patient having their blood drawn and examined by a medical professional through various testing procedures. The panel will give a physician a clear indication of the overall electrolyte balance in a patient, the amount of water in their body, as well as the amount of electrolytes being excreted by their kidneys. Some disorders may exhibit abnormalities in one or more of the electrolytes being tested, though physicians typically focus on a patient’s sodium and potassium levels, which play a significant role in the body’s processes.