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Sodium
3014
cpt
normal turn-around time
assays included
specimen type
minimum required
Na
84132
24 hours
Na
Serum or Plasma; Urine
1 mL of serum or heparinized plasma; 1 mL of 24 hour or random urine
collection instructions
Collect blood in a serum separator tube (SST) or a lithium heparin tube.
Allow the blood to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes if using an SST.
Centrifuge and separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection.
Collect urine over a 24-hour period in appropriate container.
Transport the specimen at 2-8°C if not tested within 2 hours.
collection instructions
Hemolysis: Red blood cell destruction can falsely increase glucose levels.
Improper Labeling: Specimen must be labeled with at least two patient identifiers.
Insufficient Quantity: Volume less than 1 mL may not be sufficient for accurate testing.
Lipemia: Excessive fat in the blood can interfere with certain test results.
clinical significance
The Sodium test measures the concentration of sodium in the blood, which is crucial for maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle function. Abnormal sodium levels can indicate conditions such as hypernatremia (high sodium) or hyponatremia (low sodium), which may result from dehydration, kidney disease, adrenal gland disorders, or other medical conditions affecting fluid and electrolyte balance.