1. What is MDCalc Corrected Sodium?

The MDCalc Corrected Sodium formula adjusts measured serum sodium levels in patients with hyperglycemia. High glucose levels can cause pseudohyponatremia, and this correction provides a more accurate assessment of true sodium status.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the MDCalc corrected sodium formula:

Where:

• \( Na \) — Measured serum sodium (mmol/L)
• \( glucose \) — Blood glucose level (mg/dL)
• 100 — Reference glucose level (mg/dL)
• 2 — Correction factor

Explanation: For every 100 mg/dL increase in glucose above 100 mg/dL, serum sodium decreases by approximately 2 mmol/L. This formula corrects for this effect.

3. Importance of Sodium Correction

Details: Accurate sodium assessment is crucial in diabetic patients with hyperglycemia, as uncorrected sodium levels may lead to inappropriate fluid management and misdiagnosis of hyponatremia.

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: When should sodium correction be applied?
A: Correction should be applied when blood glucose exceeds 100 mg/dL, particularly in diabetic patients with hyperglycemia.

Q2: Are there alternative correction formulas?
A: Yes, some sources use a correction factor of 1.6 instead of 2.0, but the 2.0 factor is widely accepted in clinical practice.

Q3: What is the clinical significance of corrected sodium?
A: Corrected sodium helps guide appropriate fluid therapy and prevents overcorrection of pseudohyponatremia in hyperglycemic patients.

Q4: Does this correction apply to all types of hyponatremia?
A: No, this correction specifically addresses the dilutional effect of hyperglycemia. Other causes of hyponatremia require different evaluation and management.

Q5: How accurate is this correction formula?
A: While not perfect, it provides a clinically useful estimate. The relationship between glucose and sodium may vary slightly between individuals.