Urine Sodium & Chloride

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Category: Vitamins and minerals.
Subcategory: Minerals.
Material studied: Urine.
Estimated cost of test: $5.00.
Patient time for test: 24+ hours.
Reliability of test results: Good.
Available as home self-test? No.
Note: Test helps determine the balance of salt and water in the body.

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BEFORE THE TEST

Purpose of test:

• Evaluates suspected abnormalities in fluid and electrolyte balance.
• Monitors effects of a low-salt diet.
• Helps evaluate suspected kidney and adrenal-gland disorders.

Where is test performed?

• Commercial laboratory, hospital, doctor's office.

Who performs test?

• Lab technician, nurse, doctor.

Risks and precautions:

• None.

Patient preparation:

• Activity - No changes necessary.
• Diet - No changes necessary.
• Medicines - Inform the person performing the test if you have recently taken any medications listed under Taking these drugs may affect test results. You may be asked not to take this medication before the test.
• Disrobing - None required.

THE TEST

Sensory factors:

• Seeing - Urine color varies greatly, whether you're healthy or ill. Tell the technician, nurse or doctor if urine appears red, cloudy, smoky or has any other strange appearance or color.
• Smelling - Urine may have a noticeably abnormal odor if it is concentrated. Many drugs and foods affect the smell and other characteristics of urine. Report any unusual odors to the technician, nurse or doctor.
• Feeling - Collecting a urine specimen should not cause pain. If it does, notify the technician, nurse or doctor.
• Other senses (touch, hearing, taste) - Not affected.

Equipment used:

• Sterile urine container.

Description of test:

• Collect a 24-hour urine specimen.
• Refrigerate the specimen, or keep it on ice during the collection period.
• Take urine sample to laboratory for analysis

AFTER THE TEST

Immediate post-test care:

• None.

Activity after test:

• Resume taking any medications that were withheld before the test.
• Return to pretest activities right away.

Time before test results available:

• At least 1 day.

TEST RESULTS

Test values:

• Test results are determined by quantitative analysis of components of urine sample.

Normal values:

• Sodium excretion - 30 to 280mEq/24 hours.
• Chloride excretion - 110 to 250mEq/24 hours.
• Sodium-chloride excretion - 5 to 20g/24 hours.

What HIGH or INCREASED may indicate:

• Adrenal failure.
• Diabetic acidosis.
• Increased salt intake.
• Salicylate toxicity.
• Salt-losing nephritis.
• Water-deficient dehydration.
• Adrenocortical insufficiency (Addison's disease).
• Salt-losing kidney disease.

What LOW or DECREASED may indicate:

• Acute kidney failure.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Decreased salt intake.
• Primary aldosteronism.
• Prolonged vomiting or gastric suctioning.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Excessive sweating.
• Hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis.

Taking these drugs may affect test results:

• Ammonium chloride.
• Potassium.
• Sodium bicarbonate.
• Steroids.
• Thiazide diuretics.

Other factors that may affect test results:

• Failure to collect all urine during the test period.
• Failure to store the specimen properly.

From the Complete Guide to Medical Tests by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. © 1988 by Fisher Books; electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.