Sodium, Urine Random
CPT Code(s):
84300
Turnaround Time:
8 hours
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen:
Urine
Minimum Volume:
5.0 mL
Transport Container:
Yellow Top Urine Tube or Plastic Urine Cup
Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature
Collection Instructions:
Collect random urine without preservatives.
Rejection Criteria:
Unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label; specimen in expired transport container; specimen received after prolonged delay; specimen in nonsterile or leaking container.
Stability Criteria
Room Temperature:
7 days
Refrigerated:
7 days
Frozen:
7 days
Clinical Significance
Measuring sodium levels in random urine samples can provide valuable clinical information about various physiological and pathological conditions. Here are some of the clinical significances of sodium in random urine samples:
1. **Electrolyte Balance**: Sodium is a major electrolyte in the body, and its levels in urine can reflect the balance between intake, excretion, and reabsorption. Abnormal sodium levels in urine may indicate disturbances in electrolyte balance, such as dehydration, overhydration, or certain kidney disorders.
2. **Kidney Function**: Sodium is actively reabsorbed by the kidneys to maintain electrolyte balance and regulate blood pressure. Monitoring sodium levels in random urine samples can help assess kidney function, as abnormalities may indicate impaired renal tubular function, renal tubular disorders, or certain kidney diseases, such as acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease.
3. **Assessment of Hydration Status**: Sodium levels in urine can provide valuable information about an individual's hydration status. Low urine sodium levels may indicate dehydration, while high urine sodium levels may suggest overhydration or excessive salt intake.
4. **Evaluation of Renal Tubular Disorders**: Conditions such as renal tubular acidosis (RTA) and Bartter syndrome are characterized by abnormalities in renal tubular function, including impaired sodium reabsorption. Measurement of sodium levels in random urine samples can aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of these disorders.
5. **Assessment of Fluid and Volume Status**: Urine sodium levels can also provide insights into an individual's fluid and volume status. Low urine sodium levels may be seen in conditions associated with reduced effective circulating volume, such as congestive heart failure or cirrhosis, while high urine sodium levels may be observed in conditions associated with increased extracellular fluid volume, such as primary aldosteronism.
6. **Monitoring Treatment Response**: Changes in urine sodium levels over time can help assess the response to treatment for electrolyte imbalances, kidney disorders, or volume disturbances. Adjustments to medication, fluid intake, or dietary sodium may be necessary based on urine sodium measurements.
Overall, measuring sodium levels in random urine samples is an important component of the comprehensive evaluation of kidney function, electrolyte balance, hydration status, and volume status in clinical practice. Interpretation of urine sodium levels should be done in conjunction with other clinical parameters and in the context of the patient's overall health status.