About the test
Sodium is an electrolyte of vital importance in the human organism. It is acquired by food and it is secreted by sweat and by the kidneys. Its function is critical in acid-balance mechanism and contributes in neuromuscular functioning.
Sample
Venous blood
Preparation
None required
Procedure
Venipuncture
Increased values
- Dehydration
- Diabetes insipidus
- Cushing’s disease
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Renal dysfunction
- Drugs (androgens, estrogens, mannitol, tetracycline)
Decreased values
- Chronic renal failure
- Addison’s disease
- Adrenal gland failure
- Hypotension
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hepatic cirrhosis
- Hypothyroidism
- Hysterectomy
- Drugs (heparin, diuretics, lithium, carbamazepine, captopril)
Additional information
The elevation of sodium levels in blood is called hypernatremia, whereas its decrease, hyponatremia.
The equilibrium of sodium and water is controlled by hormones such as renin, aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone.