🆘 Diabetic Ketoacidosis Calculator

Quickly assess biochemical severity of DKA with corrected sodium, anion gap, and serum osmolality.

⚠️ DKA is a medical emergency. This calculator supports clinical decision making but does not replace physician judgment or institutional protocols.

Serum Glucose (mg/dL)

Sodium (mEq/L)

Measured sodium (correct automatically)Already corrected

Chloride (mEq/L)

Bicarbonate (mEq/L)

Potassium (mEq/L)

Optional but helpful for fluid and insulin planning.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (mg/dL)

Optional: improves osmolality estimate.

Venous pH

Optional but required for precise severity classification.

Uses ADA 2022 consensus criteria for DKA severity and standard electrolyte formulas.

How to Use This Calculator

Collect laboratory values

Enter serum glucose, sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, and any optional values such as potassium, BUN, and venous pH.

Choose sodium correction

Specify whether the sodium concentration is measured or already corrected for hyperglycemia. The tool adjusts it automatically when needed.

Review the severity summary

Click “Calculate DKA Metrics” to see corrected sodium, anion gap, osmolality, and the consensus severity classification with clinical suggestions.

Formula

The calculator applies established DKA formulas to assist clinical teams:

Corrected sodium: Na_corrected = Na_measured + 0.016 × (Glucose − 100)
Anion gap: AG = Na_corrected − (Cl + HCO₃)
Effective osmolality: 2 × Na_corrected + Glucose/18 (+ BUN/2.8 if provided)
Severity tiers (ADA 2022): Mild (pH 7.25-7.30 or HCO₃ 15-18), Moderate (pH 7.00-7.24 or HCO₃ 10-15), Severe (pH < 7.00 or HCO₃ < 10) with glucose ≥ 250 mg/dL and anion gap elevation.

These formulas should be interpreted alongside vital signs, mental status, ketone measurements, and institutional treatment pathways.

Full Description

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is characterised by hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, ketonemia, and dehydration. Rapid assessment of biochemical severity guides triage, fluid resuscitation, insulin therapy, and monitoring intensity.

This calculator synthesises core labs into actionable parameters: corrected sodium reflects true tonicity, the anion gap quantifies unmeasured acids, and effective osmolality captures the risk of cerebral edema when normalising serum glucose. Severity classification follows ADA consensus guidance adopted by many hospital protocols.

Use the tool at diagnosis, during treatment to monitor closure of the anion gap, or when evaluating for hyperosmolar overlap syndrome. Always pair numerical outputs with patient presentation and consult endocrinology or critical care when managing severe cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we correct sodium in DKA?

Hyperglycemia draws water into the intravascular space, diluting serum sodium. Correcting the value helps clinicians assess true tonicity and plan fluid replacement.

What anion gap indicates DKA?

An anion gap above 12 mEq/L supports a high anion gap metabolic acidosis consistent with DKA. The gap typically decreases as ketoacids are metabolised during treatment.

How is severity determined?

Severity uses venous pH and bicarbonate levels along with clinical findings. Mild cases may be managed on the ward; severe cases often require ICU care and frequent lab monitoring.

Can this replace hospital protocols?

No. Local DKA pathways dictate fluid choices, insulin dosing, potassium replacement, and monitoring schedules. Use this tool as an adjunct, not a substitute.

What if glucose is below 250 mg/dL?

Consider euglycemic DKA, especially with SGLT2 inhibitors or pregnancy. The calculator still reports labs, but clinical judgment is essential to confirm the diagnosis.