1. What is Corrected Sodium?

Corrected sodium is an adjusted sodium value that accounts for the effect of hyperglycemia on serum sodium measurements. High glucose levels can cause pseudohyponatremia by drawing water into the vascular space.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the sodium correction formula:

Where:

• \( Measured\ Na \) — Serum sodium measurement (mEq/L)
• \( Glucose \) — Blood glucose level (mg/dL)
• 1.6 — Correction factor (mEq/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 mEq/L.

3. Importance of Sodium Correction

Details: Correcting sodium in hyperglycemic patients provides a more accurate assessment of true sodium status, which is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment of electrolyte disorders.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter measured sodium in mEq/L and glucose in mg/dL. Both values must be valid (sodium > 0, glucose ≥ 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When should sodium correction be performed?
A: Correction should be considered when glucose is >100 mg/dL, especially in diabetic patients with hyperglycemia.

Q2: Are there alternative correction formulas?
A: Some sources use 2.4 mEq/L per 100 mg/dL glucose, but 1.6 is more widely accepted.

Q3: Does this apply to point-of-care testing?
A: Yes, the correction should be applied regardless of the testing method.

Q4: What about severe hyperglycemia (>400 mg/dL)?
A: The formula remains valid, though extreme values may require clinical correlation.

Q5: Should corrected sodium replace measured sodium in records?
A: Both values should be reported, with the corrected value used for clinical decisions.