El electrolito que gobierna el equilibrio hídrico del cuerpo y la función de nervios y músculos.
Otros nombres:Serum sodium, NaSección:Química sanguínea
Actualizado: 29 de agosto de 2026·Equipo editorial de MedProtect Información de referencia — no es un diagnóstico ni una prescripción
En resumenThe normal range for blood sodium is 135–145 mEq/L (135–145 mmol/L). Abnormal values usually reflect water balance rather than salt intake alone.
Valores de referencia
Grupo
Valor de referencia
Adultos
135–145 mEq/L (135–145 mmol/L)
Normal value ranges vary slightly among laboratories, and some labs use different measurements or test different samples.
Compruebe su valor
Enter the number from your lab report — see how it compares with the typical range. Mind the units shown in the chosen row.
A rough comparison with a typical range, not a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary between laboratories — check the range on your own report and let a clinician interpret the result.
Qué es este marcador
Sodium is an electrolyte — a mineral that carries an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids. It holds the body's water balance steady and keeps nerves and muscles working. Most blood sodium is measured as part of a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel, alongside potassium, chloride, and the other electrolytes.
A sodium result is really a statement about the ratio between salt and water in the body. Levels that are too high (hypernatremia) usually mean too little water relative to sodium; levels that are too low (hyponatremia) usually mean too much water diluting the sodium. That is why providers read sodium together with the other electrolytes and with the clinical picture rather than alone.
The test uses a blood sample from a vein. Recent injury, surgery, or serious illness, unusually large or small amounts of salt or fluid, intravenous fluids, and medicines such as diuretics or steroid hormones like hydrocortisone can all move the result — the provider needs that context.
Age, sex, and certain medical conditions can also nudge sodium up or down, so an out-of-range value does not automatically mean a condition that needs treatment. The number is the starting point for finding out why the balance shifted.
Cuando está elevado
Fluid loss and inadequate intakeExcessive sweating, diarrhea, burns, and not drinking enough water leave too little fluid for the amount of sodium. People who cannot recognize or act on thirst are at particular risk.
Diabetes insipidusIn this uncommon disorder the kidneys cannot conserve water, so sodium concentrates.
Adrenal gland problemsCushing syndrome and hyperaldosteronism push the sodium balance upward.
Too much salt or sodium bicarbonateAn unusually large salt or sodium bicarbonate intake can raise the level.
Ciertos medicamentosCorticosteroids, laxatives, lithium, and pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen can raise sodium.
Cuando está bajo
Conditions that hold extra waterHeart failure, certain kidney diseases, and cirrhosis of the liver increase total body water and dilute sodium; certain brain and lung diseases and some cancers act similarly.
SIADH and vasopressinWhen antidiuretic hormone is released in abnormal amounts (SIADH), or there is too much vasopressin, the body retains too much water.
Sodium lossVomiting and diarrhea remove sodium directly.
Ciertos medicamentosDiuretics (water pills), morphine, and SSRI antidepressants can lower sodium.
Other causesAddison disease, an underactive thyroid, ketonuria from fat breakdown, high blood sugar, very high triglycerides, and malnutrition also appear on the list.
Qué puede alterar el resultado
Estos factores pueden alterar el valor sin ninguna enfermedad — vale la pena considerarlos antes de repetir la prueba:
Recent injury, surgery, or serious illnessSalt and fluid intake, intravenous fluidsDiuretics and esteroide medicinesEdad y sexo
Cómo prepararse
No special preparation is usually needed. Tell your provider about the medicines you take — especially diuretics and steroid hormones — and about any recent illness, surgery, or intravenous fluids.
Cuándo tiene sentido repetir la prueba
An abnormal sodium is read together with the other electrolytes and repeated as needed; the provider may add urine sodium and osmolality tests to find out whether water gain or sodium loss is driving the change.
Quién suele revisar este resultado
Un resultado fuera del rango de referencia suele ser revisado por:your GP or primary care doctor; a nephrologist or endocrinologist depending on the suspected cause. Traiga su informe de laboratorio y cualquier resultado anterior a la cita.
Nombres usados en los informes de laboratorio
Su informe puede usar cualquiera de estos nombres: SodioNaSerum sodiumNa test
Unidades y conversión
Medido en:mEq/L
mEq/L=mmol/L
For sodium, 1 mEq/L = 1 mmol/L — the number stays the same, only the unit label changes. Results are rounded to 2 decimal places.
¿Varios marcadores en su informe?
See how MedProtect explains results in the app: the whole report, a check of the recognized values, and a clear breakdown.
Not usually. High blood sodium (hypernatremia) most often reflects too little water — from sweating, diarrhea, burns, or inadequate drinking — though a very high salt or sodium bicarbonate intake and several medicines can also raise it.
What is SIADH?
The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion: antidiuretic hormone is released in abnormal amounts or from an abnormal place, the body retains too much water, and blood sodium becomes diluted.
Is mEq/L the same as mmol/L for sodium?
Yes. For sodium, 1 mEq/L equals 1 mmol/L, so a result of 140 mEq/L is written 140 mmol/L on reports that use SI units.
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