In many hospital laboratories 160 mEq/L is chosen as the upper critical value. The evidence of this study suggests that sodium in the range of 155-160 mEq/L is associated with high risk of death and that 155 mEq/L rather than 160 mEq/L might be more suitable as the upper critical level.
What sodium level is dangerously high?
Doctors define hypernatremia as a measurement of over 145 milliequivalents per liter — a normal level is considered between 136—145 milliequivalents per liter.
What happens if you have high sodium levels?
In most cases, the symptoms of hypernatremia are mild and easily treated. But severely high sodium can lead to serious complications, like seizure or coma.
What is severe hypernatremia?
Hypernatremia is a frequent electrolyte abnormality observed in hospitalized patients. It is most frequently caused by excess water loss and less frequently by increased sodium intake. Severe hypernatremia (>160 mmol/l) is a serious condition associated with high mortality of >60 % [1].
What does a sodium level of 150 mean?
Higher levels of sodium are normally associated with hypertension. A sodium level of 150 mEq/L (3.45 mg/ml) or more is known as hypernatremia, a condition that is commonly caused by dehydration or eating too much salt. However it can also be caused by other conditions such as diabetes or hormonal imbalances.
