Electrolytes, Minerals, & Trace Elements

Electrolyte

Charged particles in body fluids that conduct electricity and are essential for nerve and muscle function

Mineral

Inorganic substances needed in larger amounts for normal body function

Trace element

Minerals required in very small amounts for metabolic and enzymatic processes

Sodium (Na⁺)

Physiologic role: Maintains action potentials, neuromuscular function, serum osmolality, and water balance

Normal sodium range

135-145 mEq/L

Hyponatremia

Sodium <135 mEq/L

Hyponatremia signs/symptoms

Altered mental status, agitation, anorexia, apathy, confusion, seizures

Hypernatremia

Sodium >145 mEq/L

Hypernatremia signs/symptoms

Thirst, confusion, muscle weakness, lethargy

Potassium (K⁺)

Physiologic role: Maintains resting membrane potential, cardiac conduction, muscle contraction, and acid-base balance

Normal potassium range

3.8-5.0 mEq/L

Hypokalemia

Potassium <3.5 mEq/L

Hypokalemia signs/symptoms

Muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue, constipation, arrhythmias

Hyperkalemia

Potassium >5.0 mEq/L

Hyperkalemia signs/symptoms

Paresthesias, muscle weakness, life-threatening arrhythmias, peaked T waves

Chloride (Cl⁻)

Physiologic role: Maintains electroneutrality, acid-base balance, component of gastric acid

Normal chloride range

95-103 mEq/L

Hypochloremia

Low chloride level

Hypochloremia signs/symptoms

Metabolic alkalosis, muscle cramps, weakness

Hyperchloremia

High chloride level

Hyperchloremia signs/symptoms

Metabolic acidosis, dehydration, lethargy

Magnesium (Mg²⁺)

Physiologic role: Enzyme cofactor, neuromuscular function, regulates calcium and potassium movement

Normal magnesium range

1.7-2.4 mg/dL

Hypomagnesemia

Magnesium <1.7 mg/dL

Hypomagnesemia signs/symptoms

Tremors, seizures, muscle cramps, torsades de pointes

Hypermagnesemia

Magnesium >2.2 mg/dL

Hypermagnesemia signs/symptoms

Hypotension, bradycardia, decreased reflexes, respiratory depression

Calcium (Ca²⁺)

Physiologic role: Bone and teeth formation, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, blood clotting

Normal total calcium range

9.2-11 mg/dL

Normal ionized calcium range

4-4.8 mg/dL

Hypocalcemia

Low calcium level

Hypocalcemia signs/symptoms

Tetany, numbness, tingling, Chvostek sign, Trousseau sign, seizures

Hypercalcemia

High calcium level

Hypercalcemia signs/symptoms

Kidney stones, bone pain, constipation, abdominal pain, confusion

Phosphate (PO₄³⁻)

Physiologic role: Bone mineralization, ATP production, acid-base buffering

Normal phosphate range

2.3-4.7 mg/dL

Hypophosphatemia

Low phosphate level

Hypophosphatemia signs/symptoms

Muscle weakness, bone pain, rhabdomyolysis

Hyperphosphatemia

High phosphate level

Hyperphosphatemia signs/symptoms

Hypocalcemia, soft-tissue calcification

Copper (Cu)

Physiologic role: Iron metabolism, nervous system development, antioxidant activity

Normal copper range

70-140 or 80-155 mcg/dL

Hypocupremia

Low copper level

Hypocupremia signs/symptoms

Anemia, neutropenia, neurologic deficits

Hypercupremia

High copper level

Hypercupremia signs/symptoms

Liver dysfunction, GI distress, neurologic symptoms

Zinc (Zn)

Physiologic role: Immune function, wound healing, taste and smell

Normal zinc range

50-150 mcg/dL

Hypozincemia

Low zinc level

Hypozincemia signs/symptoms

Poor wound healing, alopecia, loss of taste or smell

Hyperzincemia

High zinc level

Hyperzincemia signs/symptoms

GI upset, copper deficiency

Selenium (Se)

Physiologic role: Antioxidant defense, thyroid hormone metabolism

Normal selenium range

150-240 mcg/L

Hyposelenemia

Low selenium level

Hyposelenemia signs/symptoms

Cardiomyopathy, muscle weakness

Hyperselenemia

High selenium level

Hyperselenemia signs/symptoms

Hair loss, brittle nails, garlic-like breath odor

Manganese (Mn)

Physiologic role: Bone formation, metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids

Normal manganese range

5-14 mcg/L

Hypomanganesemia

Low manganese level

Hypomanganesemia signs/symptoms

Poor growth, skeletal abnormalities

Hypermanganesemia

High manganese level

Hypermanganesemia signs/symptoms

Neurologic symptoms resembling Parkinson disease

Chromium (Cr)

Physiologic role: Enhances insulin action and glucose metabolism

Normal chromium range

0.3 - 0.9 ng/mL

Hypochromemia

Low chromium level

Hypochromemia signs/symptoms

Impaired glucose tolerance

Hyperchromemia

High chromium level

Hyperchromemia signs/symptoms

Renal damage, dermatitis