What is Sodium (Sodium)?
Sodium is measured as part of a electrolytes panel. Your sodium is normal — your fluid balance is healthy.
What does a high Sodium mean?
Your sodium is high (hypernatremia), usually caused by dehydration. Symptoms include thirst, confusion, and muscle weakness.
If markedly elevated: Critically high sodium — a medical emergency. Please seek care immediately.
What does a low Sodium mean?
Your sodium is low (hyponatremia). Symptoms include headache, nausea, confusion, and fatigue. Can be caused by excessive water intake, kidney issues, heart failure, or certain medications.
If markedly low: Critically low sodium (severe hyponatremia) can cause brain swelling, seizures, and coma. This is a medical emergency.
Understand your whole report, not just one number
A single value rarely tells the full story — Sodium is best read alongside the rest of your panel. Paste your values or upload your report and get a plain-English explanation of every marker, with the important results flagged.