In simple words: This test measures the amount of sodium in your pee.Sodium is important for your body to work right, especially for your nerves and muscles. This test helps doctors see if you have the right amount of sodium in your body and if your kidneys are working well.

The lab analyst performs a test to measure the concentration of sodium in urine, in either a random specimen or a specimen collected for 24 hours, to detect increased or decreased levels. Sodium is an ion obtained from diet, including table salt, that regulates water content in the body. The body tightly regulates sodium for many different essential organ and cellular functions. The test may use methods such as potentiometry, in which electrodes that are specific for sodium ions measure the amount of electrical activity, or potential, created by the sodium ions that are dissolved in a solution. Although not limited to testing for a specific condition, clinicians may order this test to evaluate patients with abnormal blood sodium levels to help determine the cause of the blood sodium imbalance.

Example 1: A patient presents with symptoms of dehydration, such as fatigue and dizziness. The physician orders a urine sodium test along with other blood tests to assess the patient's hydration status and electrolyte balance., A patient with a history of heart failure experiences worsening symptoms. A urine sodium test is ordered to help evaluate the patient’s kidney function and to monitor for potential complications like hyponatremia, which can occur due to fluid overload and the use of diuretic medications., A patient with hypertension is undergoing evaluation to determine the cause and monitor response to treatment. The physician orders a 24-hour urine sodium test to evaluate whether the patient's dietary sodium intake is excessive, which could be contributing to their hypertension. This provides the clinician with more information to guide diet recommendations.

The documentation should include the reason for the test, the type of urine specimen collected (random or 24-hour), the date and time of collection, and the results of the test.

** Urine sodium levels are affected by medicines and hormones. A urine sodium test is used in conjunction with blood tests and other clinical findings to assess electrolyte imbalances, renal function, and hydration status. For accurate results of a 24-hour urine collection, proper patient instructions and adherence to the collection protocol are essential. If the collection process is not followed precisely, the test results may be unreliable.