What is anion gap in blood work mean?
The anion gap is a calculated value in blood work that helps assess the balance of electrolytes in the body, specifically the difference between positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). It is commonly calculated using the formula: Anion Gap = Na+ - (Cl- + HCO3-), where Na+ is sodium, Cl- is chloride, and HCO3- is bicarbonate. An elevated anion gap may indicate the presence of unmeasured anions, often associated with conditions like metabolic acidosis, while a normal gap suggests other causes of acid-base disturbances. Clinicians use it to help diagnose and manage various metabolic disorders.