Electrolytes are minerals which are present in the blood and body tissues and are essential for metabolism, for proper nerve and muscle functioning, for maintenance of proper water balance, and proper blood pH (acid-base balance). The serum electrolyte test includes a group of tests to measure the following electrolytes: Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+) and Chloride (Cl-). Reference: https://www.1mg.com/labs/test/serum-electrolyte-1761

1. Serum Electrolyte Test

3. What are electrolytes?
● Electrolytes are minerals that are present in our blood and
body tissues
● Electrolytes are important for
○ Maintaining fluid and pH balance in the body
○ Nerve and muscle functioning

4. What is Serum electrolytes test?
● Serum electrolyte test is a group of tests that commonly
measures the levels of
○ Sodium
○ Potassium
○ Chloride

5. Why is Serum electrolyte test done?
● As a part of preventive health checkup
● To evaluate the cause of
○ Kidney diseases
○ Heart diseases like irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias
○ muscular weakness
● To monitor the condition of patients on diuretic therapy, intravenous
fluids, or dialysis
● To monitor the hospitalised and seriously ill patients

6. How is Serum electrolyte test done?
● Serum electrolyte test is
done on a blood sample
● A syringe is attached to a
fine needle is used to
withdraw the blood from a
vein of your arm

7. What does Results of Serum Electrolytes test mean?

8. ● Conditions that can cause excessive fluid loss like vomiting,
diarrhea
● Kidney diseases
● Heart diseases
● Diabetes
Low levels of serum electrolytes can be
seen in

9. Many drugs can also affect the Serum electrolyte
levels like:
● Blood pressure lowering drugs like ACE inhibitors
● Diuretics like loop diuretics and potassium sparing diuretics
● Some antidepressants
● Oral contraceptives
● Steroids

10. For more details, visit
https://www.1mg.com/labs/test/serum-electrolyte-1761