What it means
In the blood, positive and negative ions balance, but routine tests measure only some of them. The gap is the difference left over: sodium minus (chloride plus bicarbonate). A high gap means an extra acid is present, as in diabetic ketoacidosis, lactic acidosisLAK-tik as-ih-DOH-sisA type of metabolic acidosis in which lactic acid (lactate) builds up in the blood.Full entry , kidney failure or some poisonings. metabolic acidosismet-uh-BOL-ik as-ih-DOH-sisA state in which the blood is too acidic because the body has too much acid or has lost too much bicarbonate.metabol change, the body's chemical work-ic relating toacid -osis abnormal conditionFull entry with a normal gap points to a loss of bicarbonate, such as from severe diarrhea.
At a glance
| Normal range | About 8–12 mEq/L [8–12 mmol/L] when calculated without potassium; each lab sets its own range. |
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Related terms
electrolyte
A mineral that carries an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride.
diabetic ketoacidosis
A state of high blood glucose, ketones in the blood and acidic blood, caused by a lack of insulin.
sodium
A mineral in the blood that controls how water moves in the body and helps nerves and muscles work.
metabolic acidosis
A state in which the blood is too acidic because the body has too much acid or has lost too much bicarbonate.
lactic acidosis
A type of metabolic acidosis in which lactic acid (lactate) builds up in the blood.