Description
Sodium measurements helps in the diagnosis and treatment of aldosteronism, diabetes insipidus, adrenal hypertension, Addison`s Disease, dehydration, inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, or other diseases involving electrolyte imbalance. The excretion of sodium varies with the diet taken.
A sodium blood test measures the amount of sodium in your blood. Sodium is a type of electrolyte. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that help maintain fluid levels and the balance of chemicals in your body called acids and bases. Sodium also helps your nerves and muscles work properly.
There is a diurnal variation of sodium excretion with excretion being greater during daytime than during the night. Decrease in the sodium level are seen in congestive heart failure, excessive sweating, diarrhea, pyloric obstruction, malabsorption and primary aldosteronism. While increase in the sodium level may be due to increased salt intake, failure of the adrenal glands, diabetic acidosis, salt losing renal disease, diuretic therapy and water deprivation dehydration.
