====== Electrolytes and Blood Glucose ======

[[:wikitox:2.1.1.4_salicylates|Salicylates]] cause many other electrolyte abnormalities including hypo/hyperglycaemia, hypokalaemia and hypocalcaemia.\\
Hyperkalaemia and an increased [[:wikitox:anion_gap_acidosis|anion gap]] will occur with all of these poisonings.

===== BIOCHEMISTRY and BRADYARRHYTHMIAS =====

Severe hypokalaemia occurs in [[:wikitox:chloroquine|]] poisoning.\\
Hypoglycaemia occurs in [[:wikitox:3.4.3.4.2_beta_blockers|beta blocking]] drug poisoning.\\
Hyperkalaemia suggest acute [[:wikitox:2.1.6.1.2_cardiac_glycosides|digoxin]] poisoning.

===== BIOCHEMISTRY and COMA =====

[[:wikitox:2.1.7.1.2_sulphonylureas|Hypoglycaemic drugs]] & [[:wikitox:2.1.7.1.1_insulin|insulin]] will cause hypoglycaemia, but so will salicylates and liver failure.\\
Toxic alcohols ([[:wikitox:2.2.5.2.5_methanol|methanol]], [[:wikitox:2.2.5.2.2_ethylene_glycol|ethylene glycol]], & isopropyl alcohol) may cause an [[:wikitox:osmolal_gap|osmolal gap]] and methanol, ethylene glycol, and salicylates will cause a high anion gap acidosis.

===== BIOCHEMISTRY and HALLUCINATION =====

Hypokalaemia, mild acidosis, and hyperglycaemia may occur with amphetamine/[[:wikitox:2.1.11.4.8.1_cocaine|cocaine]].\\
Hypoglycaemia may occur in [[:wikitox:2.1.11.5.2_alcohol_withdrawal|alcohol withdrawal]].

===== BIOCHEMISTRY and HYPOTENSION =====

Acidosis should be corrected in all patients using [[:wikitox:bicarbonate|NaHCO3]]. A rapid response suggests [[:wikitox:2.1.11.9.2.1_tricyclic_antidepressants|TCAs]]or [[:wikitox:3.4.3.4_antiarrhythmics|antiarrhythmic drug]] poisoning.\\
Hypoglycaemia occurs sometimes with beta blocking drug poisoning.\\
Marked hyperkalaemia suggests severe digoxin poisoning.\\
Hypokalaemia is seen in severe chloroquine poisoning.


===== BIOCHEMISTRY and SEIZURES =====

Blood glucose and electrolytes should be taken and are occasionally helpful.\\
Hypokalaemia suggests chloroquine poisoning.\\
Hypokalaemia and acidosis suggests salicylate poisoning.\\
Acidosis also occurs with most of these drugs as seizures cause a lactic acidosis.

===== BIOCHEMISTRY and SYMPATHOMIMETICS =====

Hypokalaemia, hyperglycaemia, and acidosis may occur in all of these poisonings and is of little diagnostic value.

===== BIOCHEMISTRY and TACHYARRHYTHMIAS =====

Hypokalaemia occurs in [[:wikitox:2.1.11.4.8.2_theophylline|theophylline]] and other sympathomimetic drug poisonings and in chloroquine ingestion.\\
Hyperkalaemia (K > 6.0 mmol/L) suggests digoxin poisoning but may occur with acidosis.\\
Marked acidosis occurring prior to arrhythmias suggests salicylate ingestion or drugs that lead to tissue hypoxia.