Introduction to Cerebrospinal Fluids
Chemical Substances Present in CSF
The following table lists some of the chemicals present in CSF, and their concentrations:
| Chemical | Level |
| sodium | 136.0 - 150.0 m Eq/L |
| potassium | 2.3 - 2.7 m Eq/L |
| magnesium | 2.4 - 3.0 m Eq/L |
| protein | 2 - 4 mg/dL (normally diffuses across blood-brain barrier) |
| glucose | 45.0 - 60.0 mg/dL |
| calcium | 2.1 - 2.7 m Eq/dL |
| cholesterol | present in small amounts |
| creatinine | 0.5 - 1.2 mg/dL |
| lactic acid dehyrdogenase (LDH) | present in small amounts |
| phosphorus (inorganic) | 1.0 - 2.0 mg/dL |
| urea | 6.0 - 16.0 mg/dL |
| uric acid | 0.5 - 3.0 mg/dL |
