Anion Gap Blood Test

What do the results of an anion gap blood test mean?

Blood test reports, including anion gap blood test results, usually provide the following information:

• The name of the blood test or what was measured in your blood.
• The number or measurement of your blood test result.
• The normal measurement range for that test.
• If your result is normal or abnormal or high or low.

What is a normal anion gap blood test result?

There’s no universal “normal” anion gap. Once you get your blood test results back, there will be information that indicates what that lab’s normal anion gap range is.

There’s also a wide range of “normal” anion gap results depending on different factors. For example, people who take lithium carbonate medication for bipolar disorder may have a reduced anion gap due to the medication.

What does a high anion gap mean?

If your blood test results show a high anion gap, you may have acidosis. This means you may have a higher-than-normal level of acid in your blood (a lower-than-normal blood pH).

Acidosis may be a sign of the following:

• Dehydration.
• Diarrhea.
• Too much exercise.

Having acidosis may also indicate more serious conditions, including:

• Kidney disease: Healthy kidneys remove acid from your body through your pee. But if you have kidney disease, your kidneys can’t remove enough acid, which can lead to metabolic acidosis.
• Diabetes: Acidosis could indicate that you have undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes. When your pancreas no longer makes enough insulin to allow blood sugar into your cells, it can make your blood acidic.
• Diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA): This is a life-threatening complication of undiagnosed diabetes due to lack of insulin.
• Salicylate poisoning (salicylate toxicity): Salicylates are a type of drug found in many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications. Aspirin is the most common type of salicylate. Ingesting too much or overdosing on salicylates can cause salicylate poisoning, which is life-threatening.

What does a low anion gap blood mean?

Having a low anion gap blood test result is rare. Because of this, your provider will likely redo the test to make sure the results are accurate.

If your blood results reveal a low anion gap, it may mean you have a lower-than-normal level of albumin (hypoalbuminemia). Albumin is an essential protein in your blood. Low albumin may indicate the following conditions:

• Kidney issues.
• Heart disease.
• Liver disease.
• Certain types of cancer.

Again, low anion gap results are uncommon. Be sure to talk to your provider for more information on your test results.

Should I be concerned if I have a low or high anion gap?

If your blood test results reveal that you have a high or low anion gap, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a medical condition. Many factors can affect your electrolyte levels, which affect your anion gap measurement. There could’ve also been an error in the collection, transport or processing of the blood tests.

When your healthcare provider interprets your blood test results, they consider many factors, such as your medical history and medications. Your provider may recommend additional testing to determine a diagnosis if your anion gap results are abnormal. Nobody looks forward to blood tests, especially getting them so close together, but it’s the best way to make sure your electrolytes are at the expected levels.

If you have any questions about your results, be sure to ask your provider.

When should I know the results of an anion gap blood test?

If you have signs and symptoms of acidosis, such as shortness of breath and vomiting, your provider will draw your blood for an anion gap blood test as soon as possible. They’ll likely have the results within a few hours.

If your anion gap test is part of a routine bloodwork panel, such as a basic metabolic panel, it could take one to two business days to get the results.