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Anion Gap Calculator

Audit one source-labelled same-panel anion gap with an explicit potassium formula and optional fully documented albumin adjustment—without a universal range or diagnosis.

Use this result well

Inputs that matter
One de-identified same-panel laboratory/worksheet record; its explicit potassium-included or potassium-excluded formula; Na, Cl, HCO₃ and K only when selected; plus an optional named albumin-adjustment method with its measured albumin, reference albumin and factor
Output to expect
Signed raw entered-panel arithmetic and, only for a complete documented adjustment, a separately labelled adjusted gap with every copied method value exposed
How it works
Apply only the selected Na (+K) − Cl − HCO₃ formula and optionally raw gap + documented factor × (reference albumin − measured albumin); no laboratory interval, analyzer method, acid-base diagnosis or treatment is inferred
  • Confirm all electrolytes come from the same valid panel, the formula matches the responsible laboratory/worksheet, and potassium inclusion, bicarbonate/total-CO₂ method, albumin method, units and timing are reconciled.
  • Use the analyzer-specific laboratory reference interval and qualified review of pH, blood gas, lactate, ketones, albumin, renal function, medications/toxins and clinical context; arithmetic alone cannot diagnose a disorder or cause.

Choose your path

Built around the job you need to finish

Reproduce one de-identified same-panel anion-gap calculation with an explicit potassium formula and optional fully documented albumin adjustment, without inventing a reference interval or diagnosis.

Clinician reconciling one chemistry panel

Avoid mixing times, formula variants or a generic normal interval while reviewing signed arithmetic.

Name the same-panel source, copy its formula convention and electrolytes, and compare externally with that laboratory's interval.

Can audit the raw gap without an automated elevated/normal/acid-base diagnosis.

Laboratory professional checking method provenance

Keep analyzer-specific reference intervals and optional potassium inclusion outside a universal template.

Select the documented formula, inspect complete source labels and verify no default interval or analyzer assumption appears.

The record preserves laboratory ownership of methods, units and interpretation.

Clinical learner comparing albumin methods

See how a documented adjustment changes arithmetic without learning that one 4.0/2.5 convention is mandatory or diagnostic.

Run separate education records with no adjustment and with a complete named measured/reference/factor triplet.

Can trace raw and adjusted results while incomplete adjustment inputs are rejected and clinical conclusions remain external.

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Reference & details

How it works

Same-panel source

Timing, sample validity, analyzer method and units belong to the source report. Do not combine values from different collections or assume the calculator can validate the panel.

Use Na, Cl, HCO₃/total CO₂ and optional K from one reviewed panel

Explicit formula convention

Clinical references use both conventions. The selected formula must match the responsible laboratory or worksheet, and potassium becomes required only for the potassium-included formula.

Without K: Na − Cl − HCO₃; with K: Na + K − Cl − HCO₃

Documented albumin adjustment

No 4.0 or 2.5 default is inferred. Adjustment is calculated only when one named method supplies the measured albumin, its reference value and the factor; it is still not a diagnosis.

Adjusted = raw + factor × (reference albumin − measured albumin)

Updated: August 2026

Example Scenarios

Select Na − Cl − HCO₃ and copy the same-panel values. Compare the signed result with that laboratory's analyzer-specific interval outside the calculator.

Select the potassium-included formula and enter K from the same panel. Leaving potassium blank is rejected rather than silently reverting to the other convention.

Name the method and copy its measured albumin, reference albumin and factor. The tool shows raw and adjusted arithmetic but does not label either normal or abnormal.

FAQ

Published laboratory evidence shows that anion-gap means and intervals vary by analyzer and measurement method. Use the interval reported by the responsible laboratory for the selected formula.

Use the convention documented by the laboratory or reviewed worksheet. This tool supports both, labels the choice and requires K only when the potassium-included formula is selected.

No. Those values are calculated only when they are explicitly entered from one named adjustment method. Other methods and reference values exist.

No. Published evidence shows adjustment does not reliably detect every condition. Blood gas, lactate, ketones, medications/toxins, renal status and clinical context require qualified review.

No. Use values from the same reviewed panel and verify collection time, units, bicarbonate/total-CO₂ method and sample validity with the source report.

About Anion Gap Calculator

Reproduce one de-identified laboratory or worksheet record without mixing panels or inventing a normal range. Select whether the controlling method includes potassium, copy the same-panel electrolytes, and optionally enter a complete named albumin-adjustment method. Analyzer-specific intervals, sample validity, acid-base diagnosis, cause and treatment remain outside the calculator.