Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis Diagnosis and Guidelines

Diagnostic Criteria and Calculations

• The American Diabetes Association recommends calculating the anion gap as: (Na+) - (Cl- + HCO3-) with abnormal values typically >10-12 mEq/L 1, 2
• The differential diagnosis of high anion gap metabolic acidosis includes diabetic ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, toxic alcohol ingestion (methanol, ethylene glycol), salicylates, and chronic renal failure, as noted in diabetes guidelines 1, 2, 3