| Ordering Code | 165 |
|---|---|
| Test Name | Electrolytes |
| Alias | Includes testing for: Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Chloride (Cl), Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Lytes |
| Preferred Specimen | Serum |
| Preferred Container | SST (Gold) |
| Other Specimen/Container | Serum in Plain (Red), Plasma in Lithium Heparin (Green-PST), Plasma in Lithium Heparin (Dark Green-PP No Gel) |
| Optimum Volume | 1 mL |
| Handling Instructions | All specimen types must be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection. If no gel separation present in tube and testing is delayed, plasma/serum is aliquoted from cells within 2 hours of collection. Keep specimen &/or aliquot samples capped. |
| Transport Requirements | Oahu: Refrigerated Airline: Refrigerated |
| Specimen Stability | Refrigerated: 2 Days Once uncapped, stable refrigerated for 4 hours only Frozen: 1 Month (Aliquot) Frozen samples should be thawed once. |
| Rejection Criteria | Hemolyzed, Insufficient quantity, Specimen older than stability limits |
| Avail. Stat | YES |
| Analytic Time | 1 Day |
| Methodology | See individual analytes |
Reference range(s)
The reference ranges listed below are valid on this date of July 15, 2025.
| Component | Age | Male Norm | Male Critical Low | Male Critical High | Female Norm | Female Critical High | Female Critical Low | Units | Add'l info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium | >=19Y | 136-145 | <= 120 | >= 160 | 136-145 | >= 160 | <= 120 | mEq/L | |
| Sodium | 0-18Y | 136-145 | <= 130 | >= 150 | 136-145 | >= 150 | <= 130 | mEq/L | |
| Potassium | >=13Y | 3.3-5.1 | <= 2.4 | >= 6.1 | 3.3-5.1 | >= 6.1 | <= 2.4 | mEq/L | |
| Potassium | 2Y-12Y | 3.4-4.7 | <= 2.4 | >= 6.1 | 3.4-4.7 | >= 6.1 | <= 2.4 | mEq/L | |
| Potassium | 1D-2Y | 4.1-5.3 | <= 2.4 | >= 6.1 | 4.1-5.3 | >= 6.1 | <= 2.4 | mEq/L | |
| Potassium | 0-1D | 3.7-5.9 | <= 2.4 | >= 6.1 | 3.7-5.9 | >= 6.1 | <= 2.4 | mEq/L | |
| Chloride | ALL | 98-107 | <= 70 | >= 130 | 98-107 | >= 130 | <= 70 | mEq/L | |
| CO2 | ALL | 21-31 | <= 10 | >= 40 | 21-31 | >= 40 | <= 10 | mEq/L | |
| Anion Gap | ALL | 14-20 | 14-20 | mEq/L |