Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / Sodium
Sodium
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin
| Test | Sodium |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | SOD, Na2+ |
| Profile | Urea and Electrolytes |
| Tube type | Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin |
| Clinical Indication | Measurement is used to identify hypo or hypernatraemia. It may be measured in patients with fluid abnormalities (e.g. dehydration and oedema) or in patients with a variety of different symptoms. Monitoring of sodium levels may also be indicated in patients taking certain medications (e.g. ACE inhibitors). |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample type | Serum or plasma |
| Minimum Volume | 0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample. |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | 2 weeks at 2-25°C |
| Turnaround Time | Urgent: 2 hours Inpatient: 4 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | 133-146 mmol/L (Recommended by Pathology Harmonisation Reference Group) |
| Limitations | Haemolysed samples are not suitable for analysis. |
| Notes |
