Sodium

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Sodium

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
Women	136-145 mEq/L
Pregnancy	130-140 mEq/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.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

This information is provided by The Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates, LLC. is a private organization, not affiliated with any governmental agency. The opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Brookside Associates or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. All material presented here is unclassified.

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