Sodium
CPT Code(s):
84295
Turnaround Time:
4 hours
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen:
Serum
Minimum Volume:
1.0 mL
Transport Container:
Serum Separator Tube (SST) or Red Top Tube
Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature
Collection Instructions:
Allow blood to clot completely prior to centrifugation. Separate serum from cells within 45 minutes of collection.
Rejection Criteria:
Citrate, Fluoride,Sodium Heparin, or EDTA plasma specimen; gross hemolysis; lipemia; improper labeling
Stability Criteria
Room Temperature:
8 hours
Refrigerated:
7 days
Frozen:
30 days
Clinical Significance
Sodium, also known as the serum sodium test, is a commonly performed blood test that measures the concentration of sodium in the blood. It has specific clinical significance and diagnostic use in the following ways:
1. Electrolyte Balance: Sodium is an essential electrolyte that plays a vital role in maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. Sodium is primarily used to assess the body's electrolyte balance and ensure that sodium levels are within the normal range. Abnormal sodium levels can indicate underlying medical conditions or imbalances that require further evaluation and management.
2. Evaluation of Hydration Status: Sodium levels are closely related to hydration status. Sodium can help assess a patient's fluid balance and provide insights into their hydration status. Abnormally high or low sodium levels may suggest dehydration or overhydration, respectively. This information is particularly important in cases of fluid imbalances, such as in patients with kidney or heart diseases.
3. Diagnosis and Monitoring of Conditions: Abnormal sodium levels can be associated with various medical conditions. A high sodium level (hypernatremia) may be seen in conditions such as dehydration, diabetes insipidus, certain kidney diseases, and excessive sodium intake. Conversely, a low sodium level (hyponatremia) can be seen in conditions like fluid overload, kidney dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, certain medications, and certain medical conditions like congestive heart failure or adrenal insufficiency. Sodium helps diagnose and monitor these conditions by assessing the patient's sodium levels.
4. Assessment of Medication Effects: Some medications can affect sodium levels in the body. For example, certain diuretics may lead to sodium depletion, while others may cause sodium retention. Sodium can help monitor the effects of medications on sodium levels and ensure appropriate adjustments in treatment plans if necessary.
5. Evaluation of Kidney Function: Sodium is often performed in conjunction with other kidney function tests to evaluate the overall renal health. Kidney diseases can impact sodium balance and cause abnormal sodium levels. Monitoring sodium levels can provide important information about kidney function and guide the management of kidney-related conditions.
In summary, Sodium is a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing electrolyte balance, evaluating hydration status, diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions, assessing medication effects, and evaluating kidney function. It provides important information that helps healthcare providers make informed decisions regarding patient care and treatment plans.