Sodium - Serum – BC294
💧 Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
₹189
MRP ₹200
Sample Time: 5:30 PM
Report: Same Day
Sample Type: Blood (Serum)
Test Code: BC294
Report: Same Day
Sample Type: Blood (Serum)
Test Code: BC294
About this Test:
The Serum Sodium test measures the concentration of sodium in your blood. Sodium is one of the body's most important electrolytes, playing a critical role in maintaining fluid balance, blood pressure, and ensuring proper nerve and muscle function. This test is a fundamental part of evaluating overall health.
✔ A key component of the Electrolyte Panel and basic metabolic panels.
✔ Essential for diagnosing and monitoring fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
✔ Helps investigate conditions affecting the kidneys, adrenal glands, or hydration status.
✔ Crucial for diagnosing Hyponatremia (low sodium) and Hypernatremia (high sodium).
The Serum Sodium test measures the concentration of sodium in your blood. Sodium is one of the body's most important electrolytes, playing a critical role in maintaining fluid balance, blood pressure, and ensuring proper nerve and muscle function. This test is a fundamental part of evaluating overall health.
✔ A key component of the Electrolyte Panel and basic metabolic panels.
✔ Essential for diagnosing and monitoring fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
✔ Helps investigate conditions affecting the kidneys, adrenal glands, or hydration status.
✔ Crucial for diagnosing Hyponatremia (low sodium) and Hypernatremia (high sodium).
Sodium: The Master Regulator of Body Fluids
Sodium is the primary positively charged ion (cation) found in the fluid outside your body's cells (extracellular fluid). Its concentration directly influences the amount of water retained in the bloodstream and thus affects blood volume and blood pressure. The body has intricate hormonal systems (involving the kidneys, adrenal glands, and brain) to keep blood sodium levels within a very narrow, tightly controlled range.
Deviations from this normal range can indicate serious underlying problems related to hydration, kidney function, hormonal imbalances, or other diseases.
Interpreting Serum Sodium Levels
- Low Sodium (Hyponatremia): This is a common electrolyte disorder. It means the sodium level in your blood is abnormally low relative to the amount of water. Causes can include:
- Excessive water intake
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Kidney failure
- Heart failure
- Liver cirrhosis
- Certain medications (like diuretics or some antidepressants)
- Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
- Adrenal insufficiency
- High Sodium (Hypernatremia): This means the sodium level in your blood is too high relative to the amount of water, usually indicating dehydration. Causes can include:
- Insufficient water intake (often in elderly or ill patients)
- Excessive water loss (e.g., fever, excessive sweating, severe diarrhea)
- Diabetes Insipidus (a condition affecting water balance)
- Certain kidney diseases
- High salt intake (less common cause)
Symptoms of severe sodium imbalance can range from nausea and headache to confusion, seizures, and coma. Therefore, monitoring sodium levels is critical in many medical situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What does the Serum Sodium test measure?
It measures the concentration of sodium, a vital electrolyte, in your blood. This level is a key indicator of your body's fluid balance and the function of your nerves and muscles.
It measures the concentration of sodium, a vital electrolyte, in your blood. This level is a key indicator of your body's fluid balance and the function of your nerves and muscles.
Q2: Why is my doctor checking my blood sodium level?
This is a very common test, often part of routine checkups or panels evaluating kidney function, heart health, or hydration status. It's also ordered if you have symptoms like confusion, muscle weakness, seizures, or signs of dehydration or fluid overload.
This is a very common test, often part of routine checkups or panels evaluating kidney function, heart health, or hydration status. It's also ordered if you have symptoms like confusion, muscle weakness, seizures, or signs of dehydration or fluid overload.
Q3: What does a low blood sodium level (Hyponatremia) mean?
Hyponatremia means there is too little sodium relative to water in your blood. It can be caused by many conditions, including excessive fluid intake, certain medications, heart failure, liver disease, kidney problems, or hormonal imbalances like SIADH.
Hyponatremia means there is too little sodium relative to water in your blood. It can be caused by many conditions, including excessive fluid intake, certain medications, heart failure, liver disease, kidney problems, or hormonal imbalances like SIADH.
Q4: What does a high blood sodium level (Hypernatremia) mean?
Hypernatremia usually indicates dehydration – there is too much sodium relative to water in your blood. It's often caused by not drinking enough water or excessive fluid loss (sweating, diarrhea). Less commonly, it can be related to kidney problems or Diabetes Insipidus.
Hypernatremia usually indicates dehydration – there is too much sodium relative to water in your blood. It's often caused by not drinking enough water or excessive fluid loss (sweating, diarrhea). Less commonly, it can be related to kidney problems or Diabetes Insipidus.
Q5: Do I need to fast for this test?
Fasting is generally not required for a Serum Sodium test alone. However, it's often included in panels (like a Basic Metabolic Panel or Electrolyte Panel) for which fasting might be recommended. Please confirm with your doctor or the lab.
Fasting is generally not required for a Serum Sodium test alone. However, it's often included in panels (like a Basic Metabolic Panel or Electrolyte Panel) for which fasting might be recommended. Please confirm with your doctor or the lab.