When the level of sodium in the blood changes, the water content in the body also changes. Controlling thirst even a 1% increase in blood sodium will make you thirsty and cause you to drink water, returning the sodium level to normal.Producing a hormone that prevents water losses, known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and, sometimes called vasopressin.Producing hormones that can increase (natriuretic peptides) or decrease ( aldosterone) the amount of sodium eliminated in urine.The body tries to keep the blood sodium within a very narrow range. The body uses what it requires, and the kidneys eliminate the rest in the urine. Most people have an adequate intake of sodium. We get sodium in our diet from table salt (sodium chloride or NaCl) and, to some degree, from most foods we eat. This extracellular sodium, as well as all body water, is regulated by the kidneys. While sodium is present in all body fluids, it is found in the highest concentration in the blood and the fluid outside of the body’s cells. Sodium and other electrolytes such as potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate (or total CO2) help cells function normally and regulate the body’s fluid.
This test measures sodium levels in the blood and/or urine.Įlectrolytes are minerals that carry a charge and exist in your body fluids. Sodium is an electrolyte in all body fluids that is vital to normal body function, including nerve and muscle function. Also, if you have abnormal kidney test results, urine sodium testing may help your health practitioner determine the cause of kidney disease and help guide treatment.Īs the meals we eat on a given day affect our sodium levels, a 24-hour urine sodium test can be helpful to your health practitioner to reduce the impact of a single meal on the urine sodium result. Urine sodium levels may be tested if you have abnormal blood sodium levels to help determine whether an imbalance is due to, for example, consuming too much or losing too much of the mineral. Monitor if you are taking medications that can affect sodium levels, such as diuretics.Help evaluate and monitor a variety of chronic or acute illnesses involving the brain, lungs, liver, heart, kidney, thyroid, or adrenal glands.Detect the cause and help monitor the treatment if you have dehydration or excess fluid buildup (edema).Help detect, evaluate, and monitor electrolyte imbalances and/or acid-base (pH) imbalances (acidosis or alkalosis).It is often used as part of an electrolyte panel or basic metabolic panel for a routine health exam. A sodium blood test is used to detect an abnormal sodium level, including low sodium (hyponatremia) and high sodium (hypernatremia).
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