Chapter 11: Electrolyte/ Mineral/ Trace Element

Textbook Information

Sodium (function)

maintains electric potential

regulates serum osmolality

regulates water balance

Normal range of Sodium

135-145 mEq/L

Hyponatremia

range: <135 mEq/L

symptoms: altered mental status, agitation, anorexia apathy

Hypernatremia

too much sodium

range: >145 mEq/L

symptoms: thirst, confusion, muscle weakness

Potassium (function)

maintains muscle and nervous tissue excitability

Normal range of potassium

3.8-5.0 mEq/L

Hypokalemia

range: <3.5 mEq/L

symptoms: arrhythmia, hypotension, decrease insulin and aldosterone levels, nephropathy, cramps, weakness, loss of function

Hyperkalemia

range: >5.5 mEq/L

symptoms: arrhythmias, hypotension, bradycardia, cardiac arrest

Function of chloride

maintains electric potential

aids in fluid regulation

regulates pH and acid-base balance in body

Chloride normal range

95-103 mEq/L

Hypochloremia

range: <95 mEq/L

symptoms: muscle weakness, fatigue, lethargy, confusion and seizures (RARE)

Hyperchloremia

range: >103 mEq/L

symptoms: dehydration, nausea, vomitting, fatigue and confusion

Magnesium (function)

maintains neuromuscular and enzymatic function

aids in macromolecule binding

assits in ATP phosphorylation

Normal range of Magnesium

1.7-2.4 mg/dL

Hypomagnesemia

range: <1.7 mg/dL

symptoms: personality changes, disorientation, convulsion, psychosis, stupor, coma

Hypermagnesemia

range: >2.4 mg/dL

symptoms (RARE): lethargy, confusion, hypotension

Calcium (funciton)

regulates endocrine function

bone and tooth metabolism

platelet aggregation

propagation of neuromuscular activity

Normal range for Calcium

9.2-11 mg/dL

ionized calcium: 4-4.8 mg/dL

Hypocalcemia

range: <9.2 mg/dL

symptoms: fatigue, myocardial failure, arrhythmia, finger numbness, tetany, depression, memory loss

Hypercalcemia

range: >11 mg/dL EMERGENCY: >14 mg/dL

symptoms: stones, bones, abdominal groans, psychiatric moans

Phosphate (function)

aids in macromolecule binding

formation of bonds and part of ATP

regulates glycolysis

acid-base buffer in body

Normal range of phosphate

2.3-4.7 mg/dL

Hypophosphatemia

range: <2.3 mg/dL ASYMPTOMATIC UNTIL <2mg/dL

symptoms (depends on severity): mild- no symptoms; severe: muscle weakness, rhabdomyolysis, paresthesia, hemolysis, platelet disfunction, cardiac and respiratory failure

Hyperphosphatemia

range: >4.7 mg/dL

symptoms: renal issues

Copper (function)

integral part of protein and enzyme synthesis

essential factor in formation of connect tissue (helps cross linking of collagen and elastin)

regulates cellular uptake and function of iron

helps formation/ maintenance of myelin and phospholipids in CNS

affects tyrosine function in melanin synthesis

thermal regualtion

regulates glucose metabolism

regulates blood clotting

anti-oxidant

Normal range of copper

MEN: 70-140 mcg/dL

WOMEN: 80-155 mcg/dL

Hypocupremia

too little copper

range: MEN: <70 mcg/dL WOMEN: <80 mcg/dL

symptoms: syndrome of neutropenia, iron deficiency anemia, gait, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, psychosis, arrhythmias, depressed immune function, defective connective tissue formation, demineralization of bones

Hypercupremia

range: MEN: >140 mcg/dL WOMEN: >155 mcg/dL

symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, shock, hepatic necrosis, intravascular hemolysis renal impairment, death

Zinc (function)

regulates tissue growth and repair

stabilizes cell membrane

bone collagenase activity and collagen turnover

immune response aider (T-cell mediated response)

sensory control of food intake

regulates spermatogenesis and gonadal maturation

required for normal testicular function

Normal range for zinc

50-150 mcg/dL

Hypozincemia

range: <50 mcg/dL

symptoms: dysgeusia, hyposmia, growth retardation, anemia, hypogonadism, hepatosplenomegaly, slowed wound healing

Hyperzincemia

range: >150 mcg/dL BUT as much as 12g of zinc has been taken over 2 days

symptoms: drowsiness, lethargy, increased serum lipase and amylase concentration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Selenium (function)

anti-oxidant

Normal range of Selenium

normal whole blood: 150-240 ng/mL

Selenium Deficiency

range: ?

no known symptoms

Selenium Excess

range: ?

symptoms: garlic breath odor, metallic taste, hair and nail loss, GI and neurological symptoms

Manganese (function)

-helps metabolize macromolecules

-anti-oxidants

-aids in steroid biosynthesis

-metabolism of biogenic amines

Normal range of manganese

4-15 mcg/L

Manganese Deficiency

range: <4 mcg/L

symptoms (limited evidence but possible symptoms): bone demineralization, poor growth in children, skins rashes, hair depigmentation, decreased serum lipids, depression, increased premenstrual pain

Chromium (function)

co-factor for insulin

aids in activation of many enzymes

Normal ranges of Chromium

serum: 0.3-0.9 ng/mL

Chromium Deficiency

range: <0.3 ng/mL

symptoms: insulin resistance, impaired glucose metabolism, increased risk for hypercholesterolemia and myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease

Chromium Excess

range: >0.9 ng/mL

symptoms: no established symptoms