Normal sodium levels are usually between 136 and 145 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Blood sodium levels below 136 mmol/L may mean you have low blood sodium (hyponatremia). Blood sodium levels greater than 145 mmol/L may mean you have blood sodium levels that are too high (hypernatremia).
What happens if your sodium levels are too high?
If your brain detects that your body has elevated sodium levels, it can regulate the amount by increasing how much is removed from your bloodstream by your kidneys and can also make you drink water by making you feel thirsty. Hypernatremia is usually a symptom of dehydration.
What is a critical sodium level?
Any value below 135 mEq/L is considered to be a low sodium level, a condition medically referred to as hyponatremia. As sodium levels drop to 125 mEq/L, the situation becomes more serious. And when the sodium level drops to 115 mEq/L or below, the situation is critical and requires immediate treatment.
What sodium level is dangerously high?
A sodium level above 160 mEq/L is serious and can lead to more severe symptoms. But this can also happen if the sodium level rapidly changes, even changing from from 135 to 150 mEq/L. These symptoms include: Confusion.
What causes a high sodium level?
Doctors diagnose hypernatremia when the concentration of sodium in blood serum is higher than 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/l) . Two common causes of hypernatremia are not enough fluid intake and too much water loss. In rare cases, consuming too much sodium can cause hypernatremia.
More useful articles on a similar topic 👇
What are the symptoms of high sodium levels?Is 150 sodium level high?
