Sodium urine test
The sodium urine test measures the amount of sodium in the urine.
Sodium can also be measured in a blood sample.
Blood sample
The sodium blood test measures the concentration of sodium in the blood. Sodium can also be measured using a urine test.
How the Test is Performed
After you provide a urine sample, it is tested in the lab. If needed, your health care provider may ask you to collect your urine at home over 24 hours. Your provider will tell you how to do this. Follow instructions exactly so that the results are accurate.
Collect your urine at home over 24 hour
The urine 24-hour volume test measures the amount of urine produced in a day. The amounts of creatinine, protein, and other chemicals released into ...
How to Prepare for the Test
Your provider will ask you to temporarily stop taking any medicines that may affect the test result. Tell your provider about all the medicines you take, including:
- Corticosteroids
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Prostaglandins (used to treat conditions such as glaucoma or stomach ulcers)
- Water pills (diuretics)
DO NOT stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.
How the Test will Feel
The test involves only normal urination. There is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
The test is often used to help determine the cause of an abnormal sodium blood level. It also checks whether your kidneys are removing sodium from the body. It may be used to diagnose or monitor many types of kidney diseases.
Normal Results
For adults, normal urine sodium values are generally more than 20 mEq/L in a random urine sample and 40 to 220 mEq (40 to 220 mmol) per day. Your result depends on how much fluid and sodium or salt you take in.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test result.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A higher than normal urine sodium level may be due to:
- Certain medicines, such as water pills (diuretics)
- Low function of the adrenal glands
Adrenal glands
The adrenal glands are two small triangle-shaped glands in the upper abdomen. One gland is located on top of each kidney.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Inflammation of the kidney that results in salt loss (salt-losing nephropathy)
- Too much salt in the diet
A lower than normal urine sodium level may be a sign of:
-
Adrenal glands releasing too much aldosterone (hyperaldosteronism)
Hyperaldosteronism
Hyperaldosteronism is a disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of the hormone aldosterone into the blood. Hyperaldosteronism can be pr...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Not enough fluid in the body (dehydration)
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Diarrhea and fluid loss
-
Heart failure
Heart failure
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Kidney problems, such as long-term (chronic) kidney disease or kidney failure
Kidney failure
Acute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis)
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
Risks
There are no risks with this test.
Reviewed By
Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Al-Awqati Q, Radhakrishnan J. Disorders of sodium and water. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 102.
Gharavi AG, Landry DW. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 100.
Kamel KS, Halperin ML. Interpretation of electrolyte and acid-base parameters in blood and urine. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 24.
Oh MS, Briefel G, Pincus MR. Evaluation of renal function, water, electrolytes, and acid-base balance. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 15.
Verbalis JG. Disorders of water balance. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 15.
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