Milliequivalents Per Liter (mEq/L), Definition Information

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Milliequivalents per Liter (mEq/L)

Some medical tests report results in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).

An equivalent is the amount of a substance that will react with a certain number of hydrogen ions. A milliequivalent is one-thousandth of an equivalent.
A liter measures fluid volume. It is a little bigger than a quart.

Last Revised: May 6, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Thomas M. Bailey, MD - Family Medicine

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