What is a good number for your sodium level, and what do the results mean?

January 1, 2026 •

5 min read

The normal range for a healthy blood sodium level is generally considered to be between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). This vital electrolyte helps regulate fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions throughout the body.

Quick Summary

A healthy blood sodium level is typically 135-145 mEq/L. Levels outside this range, known as hyponatremia or hypernatremia, indicate an underlying issue with fluid balance, kidney function, or hormonal regulation.

Key Points

Normal Range: A good blood sodium level is between 135 and 145 mEq/L, though this can vary slightly by lab.
Sodium's Function: This key electrolyte regulates fluid balance, nerve signals, and muscle contractions in the body.
Abnormal Levels: High (hypernatremia) or low (hyponatremia) sodium levels can indicate issues like dehydration, kidney problems, or hormonal changes.
Common Causes: Dehydration and underlying conditions like kidney disease are common causes of abnormal levels, not just dietary intake alone.
Expert Guidance is Key: Correcting a sodium imbalance should always be done under a doctor's supervision, especially in severe cases, to prevent serious complications.
Dietary Control: To help maintain healthy levels, particularly for those with high blood pressure, follow the American Heart Association's recommendations and limit high-sodium processed foods.
Testing Methods: Sodium levels are primarily measured through a blood test, which can be supplemented with a urine test to assess kidney function and fluid regulation.

Understanding Your Blood Sodium Level

Sodium, a crucial electrolyte, plays a vital role in maintaining the body's fluid balance, supporting nerve function, and enabling muscle contractions. A blood sodium test is often part of a routine checkup, known as a basic metabolic panel, and helps physicians assess your body's overall electrolyte balance. Understanding what your blood sodium level indicates is key to managing your health. For most adults, a normal sodium level falls between 135 and 145 mEq/L. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to health complications, from mild symptoms to severe, life-threatening conditions.

Normal vs. Abnormal Sodium Levels

A blood test measures the concentration of sodium in your blood. Results are interpreted by comparing them against the standard reference range. While the specific normal range can vary slightly between different laboratories, the general consensus is 135 to 145 mEq/L. Your doctor will consider various factors, including your age, health history, and medications, when interpreting your unique results.

High Sodium (Hypernatremia)

Hypernatremia occurs when your blood sodium level is higher than 145 mEq/L. It typically results from dehydration, which can be caused by excessive fluid loss or insufficient water intake.

Causes of hypernatremia include:
- Dehydration: Not drinking enough fluids, especially in hot weather or during intense exercise.
- Excessive fluid loss: Severe vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating.
- Kidney or adrenal gland disorders: Conditions like Cushing's syndrome or hyperaldosteronism.
- Diabetes insipidus: A rare condition affecting water balance.
- Certain medications: Including corticosteroids.
- Extreme sodium intake: Though less common, can result from excessive salt consumption or sodium bicarbonate administration.

Low Sodium (Hyponatremia)

Hyponatremia is diagnosed when your blood sodium level drops below 135 mEq/L. This often occurs when the body retains too much water, diluting the sodium in the blood.

Causes of hyponatremia include:
- Kidney, heart, or liver disease: Conditions like kidney failure, heart failure, or cirrhosis cause fluid retention.
- Certain medications: Diuretics, antidepressants, and some pain medications can affect sodium balance.
- Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH): The body produces too much antidiuretic hormone, causing it to retain water.
- Excessive water intake: Drinking too much water, particularly during intense physical activity, can dilute sodium levels.
- Fluid loss with water replacement: Losing a lot of sodium through vomiting or diarrhea and only replacing the lost fluid with plain water.
- Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease): The adrenal glands fail to produce enough hormones to regulate electrolytes.

Symptoms of Sodium Imbalance

Symptoms of a sodium imbalance can range from mild to severe and depend on how quickly the levels change.

Mild to moderate symptoms of both hyponatremia and hypernatremia may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Fatigue or low energy
- Muscle weakness, cramps, or spasms
- Confusion or irritability
Severe symptoms, indicating a medical emergency, can include:
- Seizures
- Coma
- Loss of consciousness
- Significant changes in mental status

How to Manage Your Sodium Level

Proper management of sodium levels depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the imbalance. Always consult a healthcare provider before attempting to self-treat.

Tips for managing high sodium levels (hypernatremia):

Increase fluid intake, often with IV fluids in severe cases.
Address the root cause, such as kidney disease or diabetes.
Follow a balanced, healthy diet and monitor sodium intake.

Tips for managing low sodium levels (hyponatremia):

Restrict fluid intake if the cause is excessive water retention.
Adjust medications under a doctor's supervision.
Increase dietary sodium through saltier foods, but only as directed by a doctor.
Address underlying medical conditions.

Blood vs. Urine Sodium Tests

Sodium can be measured in both blood and urine, providing different but complementary information about your health.


Feature	Blood Sodium Test (Serum Sodium)	Urine Sodium Test
Purpose	Measures the current concentration of sodium in your bloodstream.	Measures how much sodium your kidneys excrete over a period (e.g., 24 hours).
Interpretation	Provides a snapshot of your body's sodium and fluid balance at the moment the sample is taken.	Reflects how your kidneys are regulating sodium excretion, offering insight into kidney function.
Best for	Diagnosing acute or sudden electrolyte issues, like severe dehydration.	Investigating chronic imbalances and helping to determine the cause of hyponatremia or hypernatremia.
Availability	Routinely performed at medical labs as part of a metabolic panel.	Less common, often ordered to provide a more complete picture when blood results are abnormal.

Conclusion

While the normal blood sodium range of 135 to 145 mEq/L provides a clear benchmark, it's the context of your overall health that truly determines what constitutes a good number for you. Abnormal sodium levels are not a diagnosis in themselves but rather a signal that something is affecting your body's fluid and electrolyte balance. The imbalance could be related to conditions as varied as kidney disease, heart failure, or even simply your hydration habits. For definitive answers, a blood test is essential, and further investigation with your healthcare provider will help uncover the root cause. Remember, managing chronic conditions and making healthy lifestyle choices, like those recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA), are crucial for maintaining stable sodium levels. Never attempt to correct a sodium imbalance without medical guidance, as doing so can cause more serious complications.

How to Reduce Dietary Sodium

For those needing to lower their sodium intake, especially for managing blood pressure, focusing on diet is crucial. The American Heart Association recommends aiming for no more than 1,500 mg a day for most adults.

Read Nutrition Facts labels: Pay attention to the serving size and the % Daily Value for sodium. A product with 20% DV or more is considered high in sodium.
Choose fresh over processed: Opt for fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats instead of canned, packaged, or cured products.
Season with herbs and spices: Flavor your food with alternatives like garlic powder, oregano, thyme, lemon juice, or vinegar instead of salt.
Rinse canned foods: Rinsing canned beans, tuna, and vegetables can help reduce their sodium content.
Limit high-sodium condiments: Be mindful of sauces, dressings, and pickles, which are often hidden sources of sodium.
Cook at home more often: Preparing meals yourself gives you complete control over the amount of salt added.

How to Safely Increase Sodium (Under Medical Guidance)

For those with hyponatremia, increasing sodium levels should be done carefully under a doctor's supervision. The exact method will depend on the underlying cause. In mild cases, a doctor might recommend dietary adjustments.

Increase intake of sodium-rich foods: Your doctor may suggest incorporating foods like cheese, salted nuts, or broths into your diet.
Moderate fluid intake: Restricting your water and other fluid consumption might be necessary if your hyponatremia is caused by dilution.
Take salt tablets: Only under strict medical supervision, as this can be dangerous if not managed properly.
Address the underlying condition: Treating issues like heart failure or kidney disease is often the most critical step.
Get regular monitoring: Follow-up blood tests are essential to ensure levels are correcting safely.

What to Do with Your Test Results

Receiving abnormal test results can be unsettling, but it is important to not panic. Your doctor will provide the most accurate interpretation and next steps based on your specific situation. They might recommend further testing, including urine sodium analysis, to better understand the cause of the imbalance. Treatment is always customized to the individual, focusing on correcting the underlying issue rather than simply raising or lowering sodium levels in isolation. A consistent, healthy diet and regular communication with your healthcare provider are your best tools for maintaining proper sodium balance and overall well-being. For additional resources on dietary guidelines, consider visiting the National Institutes of Health website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The normal range for a blood sodium test is typically 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) for most adults. However, the exact range can vary slightly between different laboratories.

A low sodium level, or hyponatremia (below 135 mEq/L), often means there is too much water relative to the amount of sodium in your body. It can be caused by certain diseases (e.g., kidney, heart, or liver disease), medications, or excessive water intake.

High blood sodium, or hypernatremia (above 145 mEq/L), is most often caused by dehydration, either from not drinking enough fluid or losing too much fluid through vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating. Certain medical conditions can also be a cause.

Symptoms can include headache, nausea, fatigue, confusion, and muscle cramps. Severe imbalances can lead to seizures, coma, or a loss of consciousness.

A blood sodium test must be performed in a medical setting, like a lab or doctor's office. However, some at-home kits are available to measure urine sodium levels, which can provide a less precise indicator.

You should only increase your sodium under a doctor's guidance. Depending on the cause, they may recommend fluid restriction, dietary changes (like consuming more salty foods), or adjusting medications.

You can lower your sodium intake by reducing consumption of processed and packaged foods, using herbs and spices instead of salt for flavoring, and choosing fresh foods. Reading nutrition labels is also a key strategy.

A doctor might order a sodium blood test as part of a routine health checkup or if you show symptoms of a potential electrolyte imbalance. It helps diagnose and monitor conditions affecting fluid balance, kidney function, and other health issues.

It is very rare for a healthy person to have a diet with too little sodium. The body needs only a very small amount to function properly, and healthy kidneys are efficient at retaining necessary sodium.