Basic Blood Chemistry Tests



Doctors order basic blood chemistry tests to assess a wide range of conditions and the function of organs.

Often, blood tests check electrolytes, the minerals that help keep
the body's fluid levels in balance, and are necessary to help the
muscles, heart, and other organs work properly. To assess kidney
function and blood sugar, blood tests measure other substances.

Tests for Electrolytes



Typically, tests for electrolytes measure levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate in the body.

Sodium plays a major role in regulating the amount
of water in the body. Also, the passage of sodium in and out of cells is
necessary for many body functions, like transmitting electrical signals
in the brain and in the muscles. The sodium levels are measured to
detect whether there's the right balance of sodium and liquid in the
blood to carry out those functions.

If a child becomes dehydrated because of vomiting, diarrhea, or
inadequate fluid intake, the sodium levels can be abnormally high or
low, which can cause a child to feel confused, weak, and lethargic, and
even to have seizures.

Potassium is essential to regulate how the heart
beats. Potassium levels that are too high or too low can increase the
risk of an abnormal heartbeat. Low potassium levels are also associated
with muscle weakness.

Chloride, like sodium, helps maintain a balance of
fluids in the body. If there's a large loss of chloride, the blood may
become more acidic and prevent certain chemical reactions from occurring
in the body that are necessary it to keep working properly.

Bicarbonate prevents the body's tissues from getting
too much or too little acid. The kidney and lungs balance the levels of
bicarbonate in the body. So if bicarbonate levels are too high or low,
it might indicate a problem with those organs.Other Substances Measured



Other blood substances measured in the basic blood chemistry test
include blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, which tell how well the
kidneys are functioning, and glucose, which indicates whether there is a
normal amount of sugar in the blood.

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a measure of how well
the kidneys are working. Urea is a nitrogen-containing waste product
that's created when the body breaks down protein. If the kidneys are not
working properly, the levels of BUN will build up in the blood.
Dehydration and excessive bleeding can also elevate the BUN levels in
the blood.

Creatinine levels in the blood that are too high can
indicate that the kidneys aren't working properly. The kidneys filter
and excrete creatinine; if they're not functioning properly, creatinine
can build up in the bloodstream. Both dehydration and muscle damage also
can raise creatinine levels.

Glucose is the main type of sugar in the blood. It
comes from the foods we eat and is the major source of energy needed to
fuel the body's functions. Glucose levels that are too high or too low
can cause problems. The most common cause of high blood glucose levels
is diabetes.