What lab results indicate dehydration?
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Julian Cook
Works at the International Telecommunication Union, Lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
As a medical professional with expertise in clinical diagnostics, I can provide you with information on lab results that may indicate dehydration. It's important to note that dehydration is a clinical diagnosis that can be confirmed by a combination of symptoms, physical examination, and laboratory tests.
**Lab results that may indicate dehydration include:**
1. Elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Often the first lab test to show an increase in dehydration, as the kidneys retain urea to compensate for reduced blood volume.
2. Increased Serum Osmolality: This measures the concentration of solutes in the blood and can be high in dehydration.
3. Decreased Serum Sodium (Hyponatremia): In some cases, dehydration can lead to an imbalance in electrolytes, including sodium.
4. Increased Hematocrit and Hemoglobin: As the body loses water, the concentration of red blood cells increases, which can be reflected in these lab values.
5. Elevated Specific Gravity of Urine: This indicates a high concentration of solutes in the urine, which is a sign of dehydration.
6. Low Urine Output (Oliguria): While not a lab test, it is a significant clinical sign that can be observed in conjunction with lab results.
**Please remember that these lab results are not definitive on their own and should be interpreted in the context of the patient's overall clinical presentation.**
**Lab results that may indicate dehydration include:**
1. Elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Often the first lab test to show an increase in dehydration, as the kidneys retain urea to compensate for reduced blood volume.
2. Increased Serum Osmolality: This measures the concentration of solutes in the blood and can be high in dehydration.
3. Decreased Serum Sodium (Hyponatremia): In some cases, dehydration can lead to an imbalance in electrolytes, including sodium.
4. Increased Hematocrit and Hemoglobin: As the body loses water, the concentration of red blood cells increases, which can be reflected in these lab values.
5. Elevated Specific Gravity of Urine: This indicates a high concentration of solutes in the urine, which is a sign of dehydration.
6. Low Urine Output (Oliguria): While not a lab test, it is a significant clinical sign that can be observed in conjunction with lab results.
**Please remember that these lab results are not definitive on their own and should be interpreted in the context of the patient's overall clinical presentation.**
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Studied at the University of Adelaide, Lives in Adelaide, Australia.
Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate (CO2)) BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine, to evaluate kidney function; these are often increased in dehydration as well.
2023-04-15 14:03:18
Charlotte Roberts
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate (CO2)) BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine, to evaluate kidney function; these are often increased in dehydration as well.
