Sodium is one of the electrically charged elements in the blood. It has many functions in the body like maintaining fluid levels, keeping the acid-base balance of the body, muscle and nerve functions. It is taken into the body in water and foods. To keep the electrolyte balance of the body, excess amount is eliminated by the kidneys (urine), sweat and stool. It is ordered as a part of an electrolyte panel.
Interpretation: Low levels are called hyponatremia. Hyponatremia may cause damage to the cells. The patology can be caused by diuretics, antidepressant, certain pain medications, large burns, kidney disease, liver disease or cirrhosis, severe diarrhea or vomitting, heart failure, high levels of antidiuretic hormone or vasopressin, drinking too much water, urinary retention, excessive sweating, ketones in blood (ketonuria), hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease. Birth control pills, corticosteroids, laxatives, lithium and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory pain medicatons may also cause hyponatremia. High levels is called hypernatremia. It is caused by not drinking enough water, ingesting salt, excessive sweating, diarrhea, low vasopressin hormone, high aldosterone hormone, Cushing’s Syndrome (Excessive cortisol).
Sample: Arm vein blood. Nonfasting
Working day: Everyday
Result Time: Same day 2 hours
