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A low anion gap is often due to hypoalbuminemia. Albumin is an anionic protein and its loss results in the retention of other negatively charged ions such as chloride and bicarbonate . As bicarbonate and chloride anions are used to calculate the anion gap, there is a subsequent decrease.
The anion gap (AG) without potassium is calculated first and if a metabolic acidosis is present, results in either a high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA) or a normal anion gap acidosis (NAGMA). A low anion gap is usually an oddity of measurement, rather than a clinical concern.
Hyperparathyroidism can cause hyperchloremia and increase renal bicarbonate loss, which may result in a normal anion gap metabolic acidosis. [32] ALP level can be elevated due to bone turnover.
Hypoalbuminemia (or hypoalbuminaemia) is a medical sign in which the level of albumin in the blood is low. [1] This can be due to decreased production in the liver, increased loss in the gastrointestinal tract or kidneys, increased use in the body, or abnormal distribution between body compartments.
Hyperparathyroidism – can cause hyperchloremia and increase renal bicarbonate loss, which may result in a normal anion gap metabolic acidosis. Patients with hyperparathyroidism may have a lower than normal pH, slightly decreased PaCO2 due to respiratory compensation, a decreased bicarbonate level, and a normal anion gap. [3]
In contrast, low levels of ALP is found in hypothyroidism, pernicious anemia, zinc deficiency, and hypophosphatasia. [6] ALP activity is significantly increased in the third trimester of pregnancy. [11] This is due to increased synthesis from the placenta as well as increased synthesis in the liver induced by large amounts of estrogens.
An elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis and ketosis is the classic present. [3] However, a mixed acid-base disorder may be present especially if vomiting is contributing to a hypochloremic alkalosis. [2] The ketone which is present is mostly beta-hydroxybutyrate rather than acetoacetate resulting in only a weakly positive nitroprusside test. [2]
An anion-gap metabolic acidosis occurs later in the course of the overdose, especially if it is a moderate to severe overdose, due to the increase in protons (acidic contents) in the blood. The diagnosis of poisoning usually involves measurement of plasma salicylate, the active metabolite of aspirin, by automated spectrophotometric methods.