Use

Sodium is the primary extracellular cation and plays a central role in maintaining normal distribution of water and osmotic pressure in the extracellular fluid compartment. This test is useful for assessing acid-base balance, water balance, water intoxication, and dehydration. It helps in identifying conditions such as hyponatremia, associated with symptoms from weakness to seizures, and hypernatremia, often attributable to excessive loss of sodium-poor body fluids, with symptoms ranging from thirst to coma.