1. What is Sodium Correction?

Sodium correction is a calculation used to adjust measured sodium levels in the presence of hyperglycemia. High blood glucose levels can cause pseudohyponatremia, making sodium levels appear lower than they actually are.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the sodium correction formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Measured Na} \) — Serum sodium measurement (mmol/L)
• \( \text{Glucose} \) — Blood glucose level (mmol/L)
• 5.6 — Normal glucose reference value (mmol/L)
• 2 — Correction factor coefficient

Explanation: The formula accounts for the dilutional effect of hyperglycemia on sodium measurements, providing a more accurate assessment of true sodium status.

3. Importance of Sodium Correction

Details: Accurate sodium assessment is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment of electrolyte imbalances, particularly in diabetic patients with hyperglycemia.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter measured sodium in mmol/L and glucose in mmol/L. Both values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is sodium correction necessary?
A: High glucose levels cause water to shift from cells to extracellular space, diluting sodium and giving falsely low readings.

Q2: What is the normal range for sodium?
A: Normal serum sodium is typically 135-145 mmol/L. Values outside this range may indicate hyponatremia or hypernatremia.

Q3: When should sodium correction be applied?
A: Correction should be applied when glucose levels are elevated above normal (typically >10 mmol/L or 180 mg/dL).

Q4: Are there different correction formulas?
A: Yes, some formulas use different coefficients (1.6 or 2.4 instead of 2.0) or different reference glucose values.

Q5: How accurate is this correction formula?
A: While widely used, it provides an estimate. Individual variations may occur, and clinical judgment should always be applied.