HYD: Electrolyte and CHO Conversion Table (2007)
|
Compound
|
Symbol
|
Atomic Weight
|
Valence
|
mEq/l
|
mg/dl
|
SI
|
|
Sodium
|
Na
|
23
|
1
|
(mg X valence)/atomic weight
|
(mEq X atomic weight)/valence
|
mmol/l*
|
|
Potassium
|
K
|
39
|
1
|
(mg X valence)/atomic weight
|
(mEq X atomic weight)/valence
|
mmol/l*
|
To convert from the SI unit to mEq, divide by the valence of the compound.
To convert from the SI unit to mg, multiply by the atomic weight of the compound.
1 mole = atomic weight in grams
1 mmol = atomic weight in milligrams
Examples:
Convert 50 mmol/L Na to mg/dL Na:
50 mmol/L Na X 23 atomic weight Na = 1150 mg/dL Na
Convert 3.3 mmol/L K to mg/dL K:
3.3 mmol/L K X 39 at weight K = 128.7 mg/dL K
To calculate concentration (% CHO) of a beverage from grams CHO:
(grams CHO/ volume of 1 serving, 240 ml per cup) X 100 = percentage
Convert 15 g CHO to % CHO in beverage
(15 grams/240 ml) X 100 = 6% CHO
Sources: The Nephron Information Center. Chemistry Conversions. Accessed June 14, 2007: http://nephron.com/cgi-bin/SI.cgi and Système International (SI) Conversion Factors for Selected Laboratory Components. Jounral of the American Medical Association. Accessed June 14th, 2007: http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/vol295/issue1/images/data/103/DC6/JAMA_auinst_si.dtl.