Corrected Sodium Calculator For Hyperglycemia

Sodium Correction Formula:

\[ Na_{corrected} = Na + 1.6 \times \frac{(glucose - 100)}{100} \]

Corrected Sodium (Na_corrected):

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1. What is Sodium Correction for Hyperglycemia?

Sodium correction for hyperglycemia is a calculation used to estimate the true serum sodium level in patients with high blood glucose. Hyperglycemia can cause pseudohyponatremia by osmotically drawing water into the vascular space, diluting sodium concentration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the sodium correction formula:

\[ Na_{corrected} = Na + 1.6 \times \frac{(glucose - 100)}{100} \]

Where:

\( Na \) — Measured serum sodium (mmol/L)
\( glucose \) — Blood glucose level (mg/dL)
1.6 — Correction factor (mmol/L per 100 mg/dL glucose above 100)

Explanation: For every 100 mg/dL increase in glucose above 100 mg/dL, serum sodium decreases by approximately 1.6 mmol/L due to osmotic fluid shifts.

3. Importance of Sodium Correction

Details: Correcting sodium for hyperglycemia is essential for accurate assessment of electrolyte status in diabetic patients, particularly those with diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is sodium correction necessary in hyperglycemia?
A: High glucose levels create an osmotic gradient that pulls water into the bloodstream, diluting sodium and causing pseudohyponatremia.

Q2: Is the correction factor always 1.6?
A: While 1.6 is the most commonly used factor, some studies suggest variations between 1.6-2.4 mmol/L per 100 mg/dL glucose increase.

Q3: When should sodium correction be applied?
A: Correction should be applied when glucose levels exceed 100 mg/dL, with more significant corrections needed at higher glucose levels.

Q4: Are there limitations to this correction?
A: This is an estimate and may not account for all factors affecting sodium concentration. Clinical judgment should always be used.

Q5: How does treatment affect corrected sodium?
A: As hyperglycemia is treated and glucose levels decrease, the corrected sodium value helps predict the expected sodium level after glucose normalization.