Serum Sodium

Sodium is a salt (NaCl) and, when dissociated in the blood or other body fluid, it is an "electrolyte".

Causes of Elevations:

1. systemic dehydration

2. many others

Causes of Decreased Levels:

1. syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is most frequently seen in cases of small-cell anaplastic carcinoma of the lung and may precede that tumor diagnosis [LMC-03-1869]

2. many others

References:

(posted 2 April 2003)