ABSTRACT
In teaching and in practice, little attention is given to a low anion gap. This oversight can result in a missed opportunity to diagnose acute or chronic disorders requiring treatment. In this article, we review the constituents of the anion gap, build a differential diagnosis for a low anion gap using case examples, and provide a stepwise approach to diagnostic testing to evaluate this abnormal finding.
- Copyright © 2023 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
- Lawrence A. Haber, MD⇑
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, University of Colorado, Denver, CO
- Address:
Lawrence A. Haber, MD, Department of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, 777 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80204; lawrence.haber{at}dhha.org
- Gurpreet Dhaliwal, MD
- Lowell Lo, MD
- Gabrielle Rizzuto, MD, PhD
ABSTRACT
In teaching and in practice, little attention is given to a low anion gap. This oversight can result in a missed opportunity to diagnose acute or chronic disorders requiring treatment. In this article, we review the constituents of the anion gap, build a differential diagnosis for a low anion gap using case examples, and provide a stepwise approach to diagnostic testing to evaluate this abnormal finding.
- Copyright © 2023 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
