What is a normal sodium value?

A normal sodium level is between 135 and 145 mmol/L and is crucial to your fluid balance and health. A sodium blood test helps detect and treat abnormalities in your sodium levels early.

Sodium is an important mineral in your body that helps regulate your fluid balance, muscle function and blood pressure. Measuring your sodium level is a standard part of most medical tests. In this blog, we explain what a normal sodium value is, how a sodium blood test works, what the symptoms are if your sodium is too high, and what can cause a sodium deficiency or excess.

What is a normal sodium value?

The normal value for sodium in your blood is between 135 and 145 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). If your sodium value falls within this range, it means your sodium is balanced, which is important for the health of your cells and your overall functioning.

What is a sodium blood test?

A sodium blood test, also called an electrolyte test, measures how much sodium is in your blood. This test is simple and can be part of a routine checkup or requested if you have specific symptoms. Some reasons a doctor may request a sodium blood test include:

• Dehydration or excessive fluid loss
• Problems with fluid and electrolyte balance
• Conditions such as kidney disease, heart failure or cirrhosis of the liver
• Monitoring the effectiveness of treatments for high blood pressure or other medical conditions

Sodium is a standard part of most medical check-ups because of its importance to your overall health.

What are the symptoms of excessive sodium?

If your sodium level is too high, also called hypernatremia, it may be due to an imbalance between sodium and water in your body. This can happen from eating too much salt, drinking too little water or certain medical conditions, for example. Symptoms of excessive sodium may include:

• Thirst
• Dry mouth and mucous membranes
• Fatigue and weakness
• Headache
• Confusion
• Muscle cramps or muscle twitching
• Seizures or coma may occur in severe cases

If you have these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention quickly. A sodium blood test can help confirm the diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment.

What are the causes of sodium deficiency or excess?

Sodium Deficiency (Hyponatremia): Sodium deficiency can have several causes, including:

• Drinking too much water: This can dilute the sodium concentration in your blood.
• Kidney problems: Kidneys that do not work properly cannot regulate sodium properly.
• Hormonal problems: Conditions such as Addison's disease can disrupt the hormones that regulate sodium.
• Urinary pills: These medications can cause you to lose too much sodium through your urine.
• Excessive sweating: Prolonged sweating without getting adequate electrolytes can lead to sodium loss.

Sodium Excess (Hypernatremia): Excess sodium can be caused by:

• Drinking too little water: This can lead to a high sodium concentration in your blood.
• Eating too much salt: A diet high in salt can increase your sodium levels.
• Hormonal problems: Conditions such as Cushing's syndrome can increase sodium levels.
• Kidney problems: Kidneys not properly excreting sodium.
• Medications: Some medications can affect your sodium levels.

In brief for you

Keeping your sodium levels in balance is important for your health. By having your sodium levels checked regularly through a blood test, you can detect problems early and address them. If you have symptoms of excessive or low sodium, consult your doctor for advice and treatment.

At Bloedwaardentest.nl, we offer comprehensive blood tests, including tests to measure sodium and other important substances.