Test : Total acidity
Indications : Achlorhydria,hypochlorhydria,hyperchlorhydria
Physiology : Gastric juice contains two types of acidity namely free acidity and total acidity.The sum of these is the total acidity.The major products of the gastric juice are mucins,HCl and pepsin.Combined acidity is the difference between total acidity and free acidity
Normal Range : Free acidity-0-30 clinical units/100ml,Total acidity-20-50 units/100ml
Interpretation : Lower secreations indicate achlorhydria characterised by low secreation of HCl,if pepsin levels are also low then it is known as achyllia gastrica.Anemia,gastritis and carcinoma also lowers the secreation level.Higher values indicate hyperchlorhydria characterised by gastric ulcer and duedonal ulcer.