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In the last 14 years, we have not measured bicarb or reported chlorides except by special request, and we have had no complaints. I would qualify that by saying that we have a very small component from renal physicians, but even the visiting renal consultants have never raised the problem either. Measuring bicarb routinely is unnecessary and very expensive. Reporting anion gaps combines the analytical imprecision of four (or more if you include the 'unmeasured' anions) assays and distracts the eyes and minds of requestors from looking at the results of the individual components. The important bicarbs (and chlorides) are being analysed with blood gases where they matter. Ready and prepared for arrival of brickbats and sacred cow-dung ! with best wishes Richard Richard Mainwaring-Burton Consultant Biochemist Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup, Kent 020-8308-3084 -----Original Message----- From: Dr. Michael Steiner [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 03 May 2007 11:18 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Universal or selective reporting of anion gap ? Dear colleagues, May I ask those of you reporting anion gap results if this is being done universally, or only in the presence of acidosis or even more restricted only if it concerns metabolic acidosis ? Thank you for your input. Mike Dr Michael Steiner University of Rostock Institute of Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine D-18057 Rostock GERMANY ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/ ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/