Sodium

Its Uses:

A sodium test may be ordered when a patient has symptoms of hyponatremia, such as weakness, confusion, and lethargy, or symptoms of hypernatremia such as thirst, decreased urinary output, muscle twitching, and/or agitation.

Interfering Factors:

• Recent trauma, surgery or shock may increase sodium levels.
• Drugs that may cause increased levels of sodium include: anabolic steroids, antibiotics, clonidine, corticosteroids, cough medicines, laxatives, methylodopa, carbenicillin, estrogens and oral contraceptives.
• Drugs that may cause decreased levels of sodium include: carbamazepine, diuretics, sodium-free IV fluids, triamterene, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, captopril, heparin, nonsteroilda antiinflammatory drugs, tricyclic antidepressants and vasopressin.

Diagnostic Significance:

Increased levels of Sodium may indicate:

• •    Addison disease
• •    Diarrhoea or vomiting
• •    Diuretic administration
• •    Gastrointestinal disorders
• •    Intraluminal bowel loss
• •    Chronic renal insufficieny

Decreased levels of Sodium may indicate:

• •    Deficient dietary intake

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