Mmol/L

  [[File:|frameless|alt=]]

Unit system
Unit of	Concentration
Symbol	mmol/L
Named after

Millimoles per liter (mmol/L) is a unit of measurement used to express the concentration of a substance in a solution. It is commonly used in the field of medicine and chemistry to quantify the amount of a solute in a given volume of liquid, particularly in blood and urine tests.

Definition

A millimole (mmol) is one-thousandth of a mole, which is the SI unit for the amount of substance. A liter (L) is a unit of volume. Therefore, mmol/L is a measure of the number of millimoles of a substance present in one liter of solution.

Applications in Medicine

In the medical field, mmol/L is frequently used to report the concentration of various substances in the blood, such as:

• Glucose: Blood glucose levels are often measured in mmol/L to monitor and manage diabetes mellitus. Normal fasting blood glucose levels are typically between 3.9 and 5.5 mmol/L.
• Electrolytes: Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride are measured in mmol/L to assess and manage conditions like hyponatremia or hyperkalemia.
• Cholesterol: Blood cholesterol levels, including LDL and HDL cholesterol, are measured in mmol/L to evaluate cardiovascular health.

Conversion to Other Units

In some countries, such as the United States, concentrations are often reported in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). To convert between mmol/L and mg/dL, the molecular weight of the substance must be considered. For example, to convert glucose from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide the value by 18.0182.

Clinical Significance

Understanding and interpreting mmol/L values is crucial for diagnosing and managing various medical conditions. For instance, elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) or low levels (hypoglycemia) can indicate diabetes or other metabolic disorders. Similarly, abnormal electrolyte levels can signal kidney dysfunction, dehydration, or other systemic issues.

Also see

• Molar concentration
• Mole (unit)
• Blood test
• Diabetes mellitus
• Electrolyte imbalance

Resources

Latest articles - Mmol/L

• Most recent articles
• Ongoing trials

Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on Mmol/L for any updates.

‎