Sodium is the primary electrolyte within the body (90%).
Sodium is active in:
Acid-base balance
Nerve conduction
Oncotic pressure balance
Sodium is excreted in the urine. Despite fairly wide ranges in dietary intake of sodium, the kidney maintains a narrow range of serum sodium levels.
Sodium levels may rise in the presence of:
Dehydration
Diabetes insipidus
Conn's Syndrome
Primary Aldosteronism
Sodium levels may fall in the presence of:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Prolonged gastric suction
Edema
Ascites
Excessive hydration
Severe burns
Malnutrition
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Diuretics
Normal Values*
Men
135-138 mEq/L
135-138 mmol/L
Women
136-145 mEq/L
135-138 mmol/L
Pregnancy
130-140 mEq/L
135-138 mmol/L
*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.
