Test Code NA Sodium (Na+) LAB122
Test Method
Ion-Selective Electrode Potentiometry; Beckman DXC600
Specimen Requirement
0.5 mL serum or plasma is required.
Additional Specimen Collection Information
Collect blood in a lithium heparin, green-top or red-top
tube.
PST and SST (gel tubes) are acceptable. Serum or plasma should
be
separated from contact with the cells within 2 hours of
collection.
Specimens not centrifuged within 4 hours of collection may be
rejected. Refrigerate the specimen if unable to assay within 8
hours of collection. Samples with >3+ lipemia must be
cleared
prior to analysis.
Reference Values
Sodium: 135-145 meq/L
-
Critical Values:
- Low: <120 meq/L
- High: >160 meq/L
Performance
Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.
Routine orders: Typically completed within 4 hours
after
the specimen arrives at the testing site.
Expedite: Typically completed within 1 hour after the
specimen arrives at the testing site.
STAT: Typically completed within 30 minutes after the
specimen
arrives at the testing site.
Useful For
Sodium assays are important in assessing acid-base balance,
water balance, water intoxication, and dehydration.
LOINC Code Information
2951-2 Sodium [Moles/Volume] In Serum Or Plasma
CPT Code Information
84295 Chemistry: Sodium, serum, plasma or whole blood