In every cell in your body, mineral sodium is used. It is particularly important for your nerves and muscles to function. The sodium content in your urine can help you to find sodium imbalances in your body. It can help to understand abnormal values in a sodium electrolyte blood test. It can also help to determine whether the kidneys work correctly. Finally, this test can determine if you drink too little or too much water.
Chloride is one of the most important electrolytes in the blood. It helps keep the amount of fluid inside and outside of your cells in balance. It also helps maintain proper blood volume, blood pressure, and pH of your body fluids. The majority of the chloride in your body comes from the salt you eat. When you digest food, chloride is absorbed in your intestines. Extra chloride leaves your body in urine.
Low sodium levels in your urine can cause kidney or hyponatremia. Hyponatremia means you have low blood sodium levels. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, hallucinations, headache, disorientation or confusion, loss of conscience or coma.
Low sodium causes in the urine are most likely due to diarrhea, high aldosterone hormone levels, cirrhosis, excessive sweating, kidney damage such as glomerulonephritis, hepatorenal syndrome or kidney failure, and congestive heart failure (CHF).
High sodium levels can be caused by diet, kidney problems or hypernatremia in the urine.
Hypernatremia means that your blood has a high level of sodium. Symptoms include thirst, weakness, tiredness, insomnia, swelling in feet and hands, rapid heartbeat, and coma.
High sodium causes in the urine may be due to a high sodium diet, adrenal function problems, certain medications such as diuretics, salt-losing nephropathy or Bartter syndrome.
