List of reference ranges for cerebrospinal fluid

Following is a list of reference ranges for cerebrospinal fluid:

Ions and metals

Reference ranges for ions and metals in CSF ^[1]

Substance	Lower limit	Upper limit	Unit	Corresponds to % of that in plasma[clarification needed]
Osmolality	280[1]	300[1]	mmol/L
Sodium	135[1]	150[1]	mmol/L
Potassium	2.6[1]	3.0[1]	mmol/L
Chloride	115[1]	130[1]	mmol/L	>100%[1]
Calcium	1.00[1]	1.40[1]	mmol/L	~50%[1]
Magnesium	1.2[1]	1.5[1]	mmol/L	>100%[1]
Iron	0.2[1]	0.4[1]	μmol/L

Other molecules

Reference ranges for other molecules in CSF

Substance	Lower limit	Upper limit	Unit	Corresponds to % of that in plasma
Glucose	50[2]	80[2]	mg/dL	~60%[1]
	2.2,[3] 2.8[1]	3.9,[3] 4.4[1]	mmol/L
Protein	15[1][2]	40,[4] 45[1][2]	mg/dL	~1%[1]
Albumin	7.8[5]	40[5]	mg/dL	0[6] - 0.7%[6] - corresponding to an albumin (CSF/serum) quotient of 0 to 7x10−3
Lactate	1.1[1]	2.4[1]	mmol/L
Creatinine	50[1]	110[1]	μmol/L
Phosphorus	0.4[1]	0.6[1]	μmol/L
Urea	3.0[1]	6.5[1]	mmol/L
Carbon dioxide	20[1]	25[1]	mmol/L

Other CSF constituents

Reference ranges for other CSF constituents

Substance	Lower limit	Upper limit	Unit	Corresponds to % of that in blood plasma
RBCs	n/a[2]	0[2] / negative	cells/μL or cells/mm3
WBCs	0[2]	3[2]	cells/μL cells/mm3
pH	7.28[1]	7.32[1]	(-log M)
PCO2	44[1]	50[1]	mmHg
	5.9[7]	6.7[7]	kPa
PO2	40[1]	44[1]	mmHg
	5.3[7]	5.9[7]	kPa