1. What is Corrected Sodium?

The corrected sodium calculation adjusts the measured sodium level in the presence of hyperglycemia. High glucose levels can cause osmotic shifts of water from intracellular to extracellular space, diluting sodium concentration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the corrected sodium formula:

Where:

• \( Na \) — Measured sodium concentration (mEq/L)
• \( Glucose \) — Blood glucose level (mg/dL)
• 1.6 — Correction factor (mEq/L per 100 mg/dL glucose above 100)

Explanation: For every 100 mg/dL increase in glucose above 100 mg/dL, sodium decreases by approximately 1.6 mEq/L due to dilutional effect.

3. Importance of Sodium Correction

Details: Accurate sodium correction is crucial in hyperglycemic patients (especially with DKA or HHS) to assess true sodium status and guide fluid therapy.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter measured sodium in mEq/L and glucose in mg/dL. Both values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When should sodium correction be used?
A: Use when glucose is >100 mg/dL. Most important when glucose >200 mg/dL.

Q2: Are there alternative correction factors?
A: Some sources use 2.4 instead of 1.6, but 1.6 is more widely accepted for chronic hyperglycemia.

Q3: Does this apply to all hyperglycemic states?
A: The 1.6 factor works best for chronic hyperglycemia. Acute hyperglycemia may require different correction.

Q4: What about pseudohyponatremia?
A: This correction doesn't address pseudohyponatremia from hyperlipidemia or hyperproteinemia.

Q5: How does this affect treatment decisions?
A: Corrected sodium helps determine appropriate fluid replacement rate and composition.