Elevated Anion Gap: Na 138, Cl 96, HCO3 12
With Na 138, Cl 96, and HCO3 12 mEq/L, the anion gap is elevated at 30 mEq/L, suggesting a high-anion-gap metabolic acidosis.
How to use this tool
- Enter sodium (na⁺), chloride (cl⁻), bicarbonate (hco₃⁻) and albumin (optional) in the fields above.
- Results update instantly as you type — or click Calculate.
- Read your anion gap and the full breakdown beneath it.
An anion gap of 30 mEq/L with a low bicarbonate of 12 strongly suggests high-anion-gap metabolic acidosis such as DKA or lactic acidosis.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a normal anion gap?
- With modern analysers (which include K⁺), normal AG is typically 8–12 mEq/L. Older literature sometimes uses 12–16 (K excluded). This calculator uses the standard Na−(Cl+HCO₃) formula.
- Why correct for albumin?
- Each 1 g/dL fall in albumin below 4.0 g/dL lowers AG by ~2.5 mEq/L. A hypoalbuminaemic patient with a seemingly normal AG may actually have a masked high-AG acidosis; the corrected AG unmasks it.
- What are common causes of a high anion gap?
- The MUDPILES mnemonic: Methanol, Uraemia, Diabetic ketoacidosis, Propylene glycol / Paracetamol, Isoniazid, Lactic acidosis, Ethylene glycol, Salicylates.