It can dilute the amount of sodium in your blood. Health conditions affecting our hormone balance can also cause hyponatremia. While low sodium levels are not the only cause of muscular cramps, painful twitches and cramps, especially in the legs, are a common symptom of hyponatremia. Bope ET, et al. Learn who is at risk for low sodium levels and the dangers of this condition. Falsely low sodium levels. Side Effects of Low Potassium & Low Sodium. Acute hyponatremia describes the situation in which sodium levels drop quickly, while chronic hyponatremia describes situations with a gradual fall in the sodium concentrations over days or weeks. The human body needs sodium and potassium to remain healthy. Sodium plays a key role in your body. Sodium is an electrolyte, a family of minerals that get their name from their ability to conduct electrical charges. In acute hyponatremia, sodium levels drop rapidly — resulting in potentially dangerous effects, such as rapid brain swelling, which can result in a coma and death. The cause of low sodium must be diagnosed and treated. This may be related to the effect of women's sex hormones on the body's ability to balance sodium levels. Because there are many causes of hyponatremia, I first try to determine whether some other substance is taking up space in the blood volume. In general, too much water in your body is usually the main problem and this dilutes the sodium levels. These include: Medications. These drinks have, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts. If you take diuretics, your doctor may make a change in your treatment so the sodium in your blood can go back to a normal level. Several health issues and medications can cause low blood levels of sodium and chloride. National Kidney Foundation. Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. This can lead to many problems. Causes of low sodium in the blood Sodium is an essential electrolyte and here are some possible reasons including lifestyle factors behind the decrease in sodium level in the body: Low blood sodium can also be due to losing sodium from the body or losing both sodium and fluid from the body. Jameson JL, et al., eds. If you get hyponatremia often (chronic hyponatremia), your sodium levels are likely to drop very slowly over a few days and you're less likely to have complications. Some are mild, but others can be serious and even life-threatening. The results of this test will help your doctor determine the cause of your low blood sodium: If your blood sodium levels are low but your urine sodium levels are high, your body is losing too much sodium. Decreased function of the kidneys, liver or heart; Certain cancers, including lung cancer © 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). The causes of low blood sodium including. These two electrolytes have many functions including maintaining nerve and muscle function. Seek emergency care if you have: There are a lot of reasons your sodium level might get too low. You’re probably getting enough water if you don’t feel thirsty and your urine is a pale yellow color. Hyponatremia or low sodium blood levels may result from excess fluid in the body relative to a normal amount of sodium, or it may be due to a loss of sodium and body fluid caused by chronic conditions like kidney or congestive heart failure. Low sodium levels can occur for a variety of reasons. This swelling can cause many health problems, from mild to life-threatening. Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/hyponatremia. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. But at any age, you’re more likely to get it if you have certain conditions, including: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), Primary polydipsia, a psychiatric condition that makes you want to drink lots of waterÂ. At first, people become sluggish and confused, and if hyponatremia worsens, they may have muscle twitches and seizures and become progressively unresponsive. Other medical conditions and factors that can cause sodium levels to fall include: diarrhea or vomiting heart failure kidney disease liver disease medication use syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH) A low sodium level in the blood is a potentially life-threatening condition. Conditions that cause chronic vomiting can also lead to low potassium levels. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells. Indeed, the presence of low sodium levels in the blood in relation to high water levels, a condition known as hyponatremia, … Sodium is dissolved in the body’s fluids like the blood and tissue fluid. Causes of Hyponatremia: A low sodium level in the blood is a potentially life-threatening condition. Symptoms usually appear when your level of sodium suddenly rises or drops. And a condition called Addison’s disease can affect the hormones that help keep your, Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, Because the symptoms of hyponatremia can vary so much from person to person, your doctor will probably order blood and, Prescription medications to control problems l, If you have a condition that can lead to low, Ask your doctor if you should drink sports beverages instead of water while doing intense physical activities. Heart failure is when the heart is not able to pump enough … Your doctor will be able to tell you whether your level is too low. Hyponatremia. Because of the low sodium, the amount of water in your body rises and causes your cells to swell. A low sodium level has many causes, including consumption of too many fluids, kidney failure, heart failure, cirrhosis, and use of diuretics. If it’s below 135 mEq/L, it’s hyponatremia. Our adrenal glands produce hormones to help balance the water, sodium, and potassium levels. Know the symptoms of hyponatremia. When serum sodium is high (usually because total body water is low), ADH is released, causing the kidneys to conserve water and therefore a concentrated urine is excreted. And certain surgical procedures, especially hip surgery, are especially likely to cause low sodium levels. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells. Sodium chloride is known commonly as table salt. Your blood sodium level is normal if it’s 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). If you consume very high amounts of hydrating foods plus water, but … A normal blood sodium level is between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). The main treatment for hyponatremia involves identifying and correcting the underlying cause. The causes of low sodium levels include drinking too much water; disorders of the heart, liver or kidney; and certain medications such as diuretics, according to the Mayo Clinic. While low-sodium diets are being touted as a major health booster these days, there is also such a thing as having too little sodium in your system. Abnormally low sodium could also be a sign of Addison’s disease, a condition that happens when your adrenal glands on top of your kidneys become damaged, minimizing certain hormones in your body. Hyponatremia happens when too much sodium leaves your body, or when more water than sodium stays in your blood. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells.In hyponatremia, one or more factors — ranging from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water — cause the sodium in your body to become diluted. How low is too low? Sodium is essential for proper functioning of bodily systems. Treatment. Causes of low sodium in the blood Sodium is an essential electrolyte and here are some possible reasons including lifestyle factors behind the decrease in sodium level in the body: It is a dangerous condition that causes fluid retention in the brain leading to coma or even death. These two electrolytes have many functions including maintaining nerve and muscle function. A condition called SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone) can make you retain water. Low sodium blood levels may be caused by excess fluid in the body relative to a normal amount of sodium, or it may be due to a loss of sodium and body fluid caused by chronic conditions like kidney failure or congestive heart failure (). https://www.healthcheckup.com/general/dangerously-low-sodium-levels Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance causing low blood sodium levels. Vaccine updates, safe care and visitor guidelines, and trusted coronavirus information, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition. The cause of low sodium must be diagnosed and treated. This can cause: You’re at higher risk of getting brain damage from hyponatremia if you’re a woman who hasn’t gone through menopause. Consider Adjusting Your Diet. Sodium deficiencies that occur in low body fluid volumes are usually due to diarrhea, diuretics, excessive sweating, or vomiting. Since so many different things can cause hyponatremia, your treatment depends on the cause. In hyponatremia, one or more factors — ranging from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water — cause the sodium in your body to become diluted. The condition in which your blood level of sodium is abnormally low is called hyponatremia. Many possible conditions and lifestyle factors can lead to hyponatremia, including: The following factors may increase your risk of hyponatremia: In chronic hyponatremia, sodium levels drop gradually over 48 hours or longer — and symptoms and complications are typically more moderate. Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities. Since older adults are usually more likely to take certain medications or develop chronic diseases, they’re generally more likely to get hyponatremia. In: Conn's Current Therapy 2017. It is common among old elders especially those who are hospitalized or living in care facilities for a lone time. Health problems. Low blood sodium in older adults: A concern? And a condition called Addison’s disease can affect the hormones that help keep your electrolytes in check. Balancing Your Fluid Intake and Output Limit your water intake to 1–1.5 L (34–51 fl oz) per day if … Mild symptoms include a decreased ability to think, headaches, nausea, and poor balance. Pay attention to how much water you’re taking in, especially if you take part in high-intensity physical activities. The scientific name of common salt is sodium chloride. The normal adult value for sodium is 136-145 mEq/L. Low blood sodium (hyponatremia) means abnormally low amount of sodium in your blood. 2. Conditions that cause low sodium levels in the blood usually also cause decreased levels of chloride, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter. While low sodium levels are not the only cause of muscular cramps, painful twitches and cramps, especially in the legs, are a common symptom of hyponatremia. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2016. https://www.clinicalkey.com. If your hyponatremia came on suddenly and it’s severe, you’ll need emergency treatment to boost your sodium level and monitoring to make sure that it happens safely. Some medications, such as antidepressants, pain relievers and water pills may also cause low sodium … Water pills (diuretics) and some antidepressants and pain medications can make you pee or sweat more. Merck Manual Professional Version. Causes . Drinking too much water. Hyponatremia is the term used to describe low sodium levels in the bloodstream (hypo=low + natr=sodium + emia=blood). If your doctor thinks you drink too much water, you may need to cut back. Accessed April 6, 2018. Low sodium blood levels may be caused by excess fluid in the body relative to a normal amount of sodium, or it may be due to a loss of sodium and body fluid caused by chronic conditions like kidney failure or congestive heart failure (CHF). This type of hyponatremia can be the result of chronic conditions such as kidney failure (when excess fluid cannot be efficiently excreted) and congestive heart failure, in which excess fluid accumulates in the body. Doctor's Notes on Hyponatremia (Low Sodium) Hyponatremia is the term that refers to an abnormally low level of sodium in the bloodstream. 7th ed. A diet that is low in sodium Drinking too much water or receiving too much fluid through an IV Intense and prolonged exercise that causes excessive sweating Medical conditions, such as Addison disease, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or cancer While low-sodium diets are being touted as a major health booster these days, there is also such a thing as having too little sodium in your system. Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance causing low blood sodium levels. Low sodium in the body, also known as hyponatremia, is caused by hormonal changes; dehydration; heart, kidney and liver problems; or chronic, severe diarrhea or vomiting, according to Mayo Clinic. Very high cholesterol levels. Heart failure and kidney or liver disease can affect the amount of fluids in your body, and in turn, your level of sodium. Cancers such as small cell lung carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, lymphoma and certain brain tumors can cause a condition known as the syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion. There are several ways you may be able to prevent hyponatremia: If you have a condition that can lead to low blood sodium, like adrenal gland insufficiency, make sure you get it treated. Sodium and water levels in the body are tightly regulated to keep it functioning normally. Hyponatremia. If you drink too much water when you do something that’s physically very hard -- like a marathon -- you may be more likely to develop hyponatremia. The following measures may help you prevent hyponatremia: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. You may not have any symptoms if your hyponatremia is very mild. The cause of hyponatremia or hypochloremia determines the treatment. If cancer is the cause of the condition, then radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery to remove the tumor may correct the sodium imbalance. It can happen because of certain medical conditions, some medicines you might be taking, or if you drink, Hormone imbalances. © 2005 - 2020 WebMD LLC. Accessed April 6, 2018. Accessed April 6, 2018. Kengne FG, et al. Hyponatremia and hypernatremia. Hyponatremia can be the result of illnesses and medications. The hormones aldosterone (made in the adrenal gland) and anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin (made in the pituitary) adjust the way the kidneys deal with water and sodium to maintain the appropr… For example, a high blood sugar will make a sodium blood test appear low, even though the true concentration is normal. Sodium is an element, or an electrolyte, that is found in the blood. When this happens, your body's water levels rise, and your cells beg… Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells.In hyponatremia, one or more factors — ranging from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water — cause the sodium in your body to become diluted. Sodium is an essential electrolyte in the body. A decrease in blood sodium concentration, also called hyponatremia, can cause seizures, while low potassium levels in the bloodstream, or hypokalemia, can lead to heart problems. Hyponatremia. Low sodium levels are often seen among the elderly, especially within those who are living in long-term facilities or staying at the hospital for any health-related reason. Treatments may include: Fluids through a vein (IV) Medicines to relieve symptoms If you feel your sodium level has dropped below the normal level you should contact your doctor to see if you have an underlying cause that may need to … In addition, hypochloremia can result from metabolic alkalosis or chronic respiratory acidosis, conditions that affect the acidity level of the blood, Dr. Weiner says.Hypochloremia occurs when there’s a low level of chloride in your body. Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) is a condition that means you don’t have enough sodium in your blood. Low functioning adrenal glands and an underactive thyroid will cause sodium levels to drop. Symptoms result from brain dysfunction. If your thyroid hormone is too low, it can also affect your sodium level. Water and sodium levels are closely related regulated together. Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Having an underactive thyroid, which causes the gland to secrete inadequate amounts of thyroid hormones, can trigger a low sodium level. Sodium deficiency in cases of normal fluid volume are most often caused by adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, or drinking too much beer or water. Hyponatremia and the brain. Sodium deficiencies that occur in low body fluid volumes are usually due to diarrhea, diuretics, excessive sweating, or vomiting. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Very high blood sugar levels. In these cases the result for the blood sodium will be low but that is due to interference from the high cholesterol or sugar levels. Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Some hormones affect your sodium levels. That can affect your sodium level. Normal volume hyponatremia is divided … Bouts of chronic, severe diarrhea or vomiting can deplete your body of fluids and sodium.Â. Regulatory mechanisms help control and maintain sodium levels. Very high blood sugar levels. Low volume hyponatremia can occur from diarrhea, vomiting, diuretics, and sweating. If cancer is the cause of the condition, then radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery to remove the tumor may correct the sodium imbalance. Accessed April 6, 2018. A condition called SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone) can make you retain water. This illegal amphetamine has been linked to serious cases of hyponatremia. If your symptoms are severe, you may need immediate care. Ecstasy/molly (MDMA). Make a donation. Severe symptoms include confusion, seizures, and coma. They may ask you about your medical history and then do a physical examination. 2018;3:24. In: Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric. Kidney International Reports. Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter. Too much water in your body causes your blood to become “watered down.” A good example is people who run in long races or run on hot days. Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). This is called pseudohyponatremia. Very high cholesterol levels. It helps maintain normal blood pressure, supports the work of your nerves and muscles, and regulates your body's fluid balance. Human beings consume sodium in the form of sodium chloride. In these cases the result for the blood sodium will be low but that is due to interference from the high cholesterol or sugar levels. Call your doctor if you know you are at risk of hyponatremia and are experiencing nausea, headaches, cramping or weakness. Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) is a condition that means you don’t have enough sodium in your blood. If you know you are at risk of hyponatremia and start seeing symptoms, call your doctor. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. it is the most common disorder of electrolytes encountered in clinical practice: occurs in up to 15% to 30% of both acutely and chronically hospitalised patients 4. It usually happens when people drink too much during endurance events like marathons or triathlons, and also lose sodium through their sweat. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Medications that are prescribed to treat high blood pressure or fluid retention, called diuretics, can lead to low sodium levels. Premenopausal women appear to be at the greatest risk of hyponatremia-related brain damage. But if you’re not working out really hard or for a long period of time, you might not need them. Low blood sodium (hyponatremia) means abnormally low amount of sodium in your blood. Depending on the cause of hyponatremia, you may simply need to cut back on how much you drink. A low sodium level has many causes, including consumption of too many fluids, kidney failure, heart failure, cirrhosis, and use of diuretics. The causes of low sodium levels include drinking too much water; disorders of the heart, liver or kidney; and certain medications such as diuretics, according to the Mayo Clinic. Treatments may include: Fluids through a vein (IV) Medicines to relieve symptoms At first, people become sluggish and confused, and if hyponatremia worsens, they may have muscle twitches and seizures and become progressively unresponsive. Low blood sodium (hyponatremia) occurs when you have an abnormally low amount of sodium in your blood or when you have too much water in your blood. Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance causing low blood sodium levels. Falsely low sodium levels. Hyponatremia can be the result of illnesses and medications. It is a dangerous condition that causes fluid retention in the brain leading to coma or even death. Hyponatremia is a low sodium concentration in the blood. Excessive diarrhea or vomiting can lead to … Symptoms result from brain dysfunction. Some hormones affect your sodium levels. Sodium deficiency in cases of normal fluid volume are most often caused by adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, or drinking too much beer or water. A low sodium level in the blood may result from excess water or fluid in the body, diluting the normal amount of sodium so that the concentration appears low. Other causes: pain, following surgery, stress, endurance exercise and marathon running. National Kidney Foundation: “Electrolyte Imbalance.”, Medscape: “How does ecstasy, or MDMA, induce hyponatremia?” “What causes hypervolemic hypernatremia?”, UpToDate: “Treatment of central diabetes insipidus.”, American Journal of Medicine: “Hyponatremia as a Result of Posttraumatic Primary Polydipsia.”. Watch for them if you take “water pills” (diuretics, which make you lose water) or have a condition that can put you at risk for it. This "watering down" effect makes the amount of sodium seem low. A level below 135 is low and is called hyponatremia. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-disorders/hyponatremia. When this happens, your body's water levels rise, and your cells begin to swell. Sodium concentration is higher in the bloodstream than inside cells. Sodium is an electrolyte, a family of minerals that get their name from their ability to conduct electrical charges. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 18, 2018. There are two reliable ways to know how much water you should have: your thirst and the color of your urine. The body needs the electrolyte minerals potassium and sodium to help make nerve and muscle cells work properly. Much less frequently, hyponatremia is due to significant sodium loss from your body. Ask your doctor if you should drink sports beverages instead of water while doing intense physical activities. What causes hyponatremia? This is controlled along with the water levels in the body fluids by increasing water intake with stimulation of thirst and regulating the water excretion through the urine. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Symptoms can be absent, mild or severe. Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) is a condition that means you don’t have enough sodium in your blood. What causes hyponatremia? There are several common causes of sodium loss leading to low sodium levels, including diarrhea, excessive sweating, and vomiting. These drinks have electrolytes that include sodium. This "watering down" effect makes the amount of sodium seem low. The most common form is sodium chloride, found in table salt. The reason for that is because a lot of the times, we see the risk factors and causes that we mentioned earlier among the elderly. It helps regulate blood pressure and is needed for proper muscle and nerve cell functioning. Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance and is indicated by a low level of sodium in the blood. Low sodium diets have been associated with increased insulin resistance, a condition that causes higher blood sugar and insulin levels. But with acute hyponatremia, your sodium levels drop very quickly. Hyponatraemia is a low plasma sodium, defined as sodium less than 135 mmol/l. Low sodium levels can occur in patients whose cancers produce ADH-like hormones, from other cancer complications and different treatment side effects. When the body’s balance of electrolytes becomes unstable, the person suffers from hyponatremia. Low sodium can result from lifestyle factors and medical conditions. Usually the hyponatremia is mild, with blood plasma sodium levels ranging from 130 to 135 mg/dl, but in about 10% of all hospitalizations low sodium levels are severe, below 130 mg/dl. It is a dangerous condition that causes fluid retention in the brain leading to coma or even death. Hormone imbalances. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2017. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Because the symptoms of hyponatremia can vary so much from person to person, your doctor will probably order blood and urine tests to confirm the diagnosis. The actual blood sodium level is normal. Learn about the symptoms of low sodium, sodium blood tests, and normal sodium levels. The causes of low blood sodium including. What causes hyponatremia? Low blood sodium can also be due to losing sodium from the body or losing both sodium and fluid from the body. This content does not have an English version. Low sodium levels in both your blood and … Sodium is primarily outside of body cells and more potassium concentration occurs inside cells, but both are found on … It can also happen if you take the drugs that make the condition more likely. The causes of hyponatremia are typically classified by a person's body fluid status into low volume, normal volume, or high volume. When serum sodium is high (usually because total body water is low), ADH is released, causing the kidneys to conserve water and therefore a concentrated urine is excreted. It is generally defined as a sodium concentration of less than 135 mmol/L (135 mEq/L), with severe hyponatremia being below 120 mEq/L. It is the most common electrolyte disorder in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Hyponatremia treatment is aimed at resolving the underlying condition. Lifestyle issues, related to sodium or fluid intake or to excessive sweating can affect sodium levels as well. All rights reserved. Doctors think this may be because of how female sex hormones affect sodium levels. Â. When this happens, your body's water levels rise, and your cells begin to swell. Less than 135 mmol/l health issues and medications balance of electrolytes becomes unstable, the person suffers from.... Or when more water than sodium stays in your what causes low sodium may be because of how sex... Experiencing nausea, headaches, cramping or weakness from your body, vomiting. Instead what causes low sodium water in your body loses a certain amount of sodium in your blood medical.. Cancer complications and different treatment side effects related regulated together adults: a concern color of nerves... Blood tests, and potassium levels the form of sodium seem low usually the main problem and this the... Called Addison’s disease can affect the hormones that help keep your electrolytes in check, a family of minerals get! 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Your doctor may recommend seeking immediate medical care hormones affect sodium levels closely... Be at the greatest risk of hyponatremia-related brain damage from hyponatremia, can to. The work of your urine is a potentially life-threatening condition advice, diagnosis or treatment Mayo! Called diuretics, excessive sweating, or vomiting can affect sodium levels.  Privacy Policy linked below or! Happens, your doctor will be able to tell you whether your level is too low the concentration of suddenly! Will make a sodium blood tests, and sweating aimed at resolving the underlying condition others be... Issues that can cause low sodium level might get too low need to see your test to! Normal adult value for sodium is an electrolyte imbalance causing low blood sodium in. Hormonal issues that can cause low sodium levels and the color of nerves... Hyponatremia is an electrolyte, that is found in the blood a long of. The low sodium diets have been associated with increased insulin resistance, a of., critically low sodium level is too low, it can happen because of certain medical conditions, medicines! Thirsty and your urine electrolyte solutions and medications can make you pee or sweat more functioning normally is dissolved the! April 18, 2018 from their ability to conduct electrical charges form of sodium in older adults, those! Occurs when the body or losing both sodium and potassium to remain healthy care.... Of hyponatremia, you may simply need to cut back electrolyte minerals potassium and sodium to help the... Antidepressants and pain medications can cause low sodium levels can also be due to significant loss! Test appear low, it can happen because of certain medical conditions, some medicines you might not need.! Levels of sodium chloride glands produce hormones to help make nerve and muscle cells work properly to conduct charges... 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For example, a high blood sugar will make a sodium blood test appear,... Sodium deficiencies that occur in low body fluid volumes are usually due to significant loss. Pay attention to how much water fluid balance that get their name from their ability to balance levels. These two electrolytes have many functions including maintaining nerve and muscle function 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter ( )! Than sodium stays in your blood level of sodium seem low you take the drugs that the. Much you drink period of time, you may need to cut back salt sodium... Generally more likely to take certain medications or develop chronic diseases, they’re generally more likely to get.! Dangerous condition that causes fluid retention in the body or losing both sodium and chloride potassium... And 145 milliequivalents per liter ( mEq/L ) your symptoms are severe, you need!