Low AGAP?

Of all the bloodwork they did yesterday only one thing was off. My AGAP.

it said it was a 3 and a normal is 9-18. Just wondering what this means. I know it could mean I'm dehydrated. This usually runs low for me but not this low.

thanks for any information!

I would call and ask about that.

That's the anion gap. It's the difference between the positively charged electrolytes (sodium and potassium) and the negatively charged electrolytes (chloride and carbon dioxide). They may show up on the report as Na+, K+, Cl- and CO2-. If you add the numbers up, sodium and potassium will be higher than chloride and carbon dioxide because there are a number of anions (negatively charged electrolytes) that we don't measure. So it means the balance of negative charges is a little different. When the anion gap is elevated, that's a problem because that means the acid/base balance in the body is off in some way. It's rarely an issue if it's low - I've been a doctor for 35 years and have never seen a problem related to a low anion gap.

Dehydration won't really show up in the electrolyte levels unless you have problems with your kidney function. The levels of electrolytes are crucial for the nervous system and the heart, so keeping them stable is a priority for your body. Some medications can mess with that. The common ones are water pills, which can lower potassium and/or sodium, and some antidepressants, which can lower sodium.

tl;dr: As long as the sodium and potassium are normal, I wouldn't worry about the low anion gap. Of course, medical advice on the internet is worth what you pay for it and it's always a good idea to call and ask.

And since I never figured out how to add a signature and hardly ever post, I'll introduce myself! I live in PA. Had RnY 11/1/17. HW 358, SW 324, LW 149, MW 160, CW 169 (quarantine + major family crisis = ugh).

My sodium is almost low according to the lab but still in the normal range.

thank you for the input! It is appreciated