Sodium, Plasma/Serum

Test Code

SOD

Alias/See Also

Na, Na level

Preferred Specimen

1.0 mL plasma (0.5 mL minimum)

Transport Container

PST (light green top). Red top and SST also acceptable

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 1 week, Refrigerated: 1 week, Frozen: 1 year

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Grossly hemolyzed specimens are unacceptable.

Reference Range

Age
Adult (>18 years):	135-145 mmol/L
Pediatric:
0 – 6 days	131-144
7 – 30 days	132-142
1 – 5 months	132-140
6 – 12 months	131-140
13 – 24 months	132-141
> 2 years	135-145

Clinical Significance

Increased Sodium may occur in simple dehydration, diabetes insipidus, hypothalamic disease, osmotic loading, excessive sodium intake, steroid therapy, excessive sweating, or Cushing’s disease. Decreased sodium levels are more common and may be due to diuretics, sweating, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, severe diarrhea and vomiting, primary adrenal insufficiency, hepatic cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, or inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.