Question:
What does a low annion gap reading from bloodwork mean???

I'm five months postop and down 90lbs. I just got my first bloodwork back and have found that while everything else is the same or a tad improved, my annion gap number has dropped from a 12 to an 8, which is just barely in the normal range. I want to be very sure to watch for downward trends, but I have no idea what annion gap does/relates to. Can anyone help me out?    — trouble5 (posted on March 29, 2003)

March 29, 2003
Hi Angie :). This drop in your anion (1 "n") gap is probably not anything to worry about. It can be an indicator of a few different types of ketoacidosis (not KETOSIS, which is a different thing). It's also not uncommon for WLS patients to experience a shift in their anion gap reading. If your doctor has seen these results and isn't concerned, then it's probably not anything surprising or problematic. Of course, if you ever have any concerns, by all means give that doc a call! That's what they're there for :). I wish I could give you more info but since I'm a Labor & Delivery nurse instead of a hematologist, that's all I know about it. Good luck with everything! :)
   — SuzAnne S.

March 29, 2003
Hi Angie :). This drop in your anion (1 "n") gap is probably not anything to worry about. It can be an indicator of a few different types of ketoacidosis (not KETOSIS, which is a different thing). It's also not uncommon for WLS patients to experience a shift in their anion gap reading. If your doctor has seen these results and isn't concerned, then it's probably not anything surprising or problematic. Of course, if you ever have any concerns, by all means give that doc a call! That's what they're there for :). I wish I could give you more info but since I'm a Labor & Delivery nurse instead of a hematologist, that's all I know about it. Good luck with everything! :)
   — SuzAnne S.

March 29, 2003
Hi Angie :). This drop in your anion (1 "n") gap is probably not anything to worry about. It can be an indicator of a few different types of ketoacidosis (not KETOSIS, which is a different thing). It's also not uncommon for WLS patients to experience a shift in their anion gap reading. If your doctor has seen these results and isn't concerned, then it's probably not anything surprising or problematic. Of course, if you ever have any concerns, by all means give that doc a call! That's what they're there for :). I wish I could give you more info but since I'm a Labor & Delivery nurse instead of a hematologist, that's all I know about it. Good luck with everything! :)
   — SuzAnne S.