Drexel University College of Medicine

Special Topics

Electrolytes

Definition

Electrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge.

See also:

• Ionized calcium
• Ions
• Serum calcium
• Serum chloride
• Serum magnesium
• Serum phosphorus
• Serum sodium
• Sweat electrolytes

Alternative Names

Serum chemistries

Information

It is important to keep a balance of electrolytes in your body, because they affect the amount of water in your body, blood acidity (pH), muscle action, and other important processes. You lose electrolytes when you sweat, and you must replace them by drinking fluids.

Electrolytes exist in the blood as acids, bases, and salts (such as sodium, calcium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, and bicarbonate). They can be measured by laboratory studies of the blood.

References

Physician Reference

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)

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