What Are Abnormal Levels of Sodium in Renal Failure?

The kidneys regulate the balance of electrolytes in the body. In cases of renal failure, the kidneys do not maintain normal levels of these substances. This leads to abnormal levels of sodium and other electrolytes.

Sodium Regulation

• The kidneys excrete sodium and other electrolytes in the urine and feces. When the kidneys do not work properly, they excrete too much sodium, leading to low sodium levels in the blood.

Identification

• A simple blood test identifies abnormal levels of sodium in the blood.

  The basic metabolic panel blood test helps doctors identify low levels of sodium in the blood. Normal sodium levels range from 136 mEq/L to 145 mEq/L (milliequivalent per liter), according to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of abnormally low sodium levels include fatigue, convulsions, headache, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, muscle spasms and abnormal mental status, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Treatment

• Doctors use saline to treat some cases of low sodium levels in the blood.

  If a person with low sodium levels also has low blood volume, the Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals indicates that treatment with 0.9 percent saline restores sodium levels to normal. If the person has an increased blood volume, doctors treat low sodium levels by restricting fluid intake and administering a diuretic to promote the excretion of excess fluid.

Prevention

• Regular monitoring of people with kidney disease helps prevent dangerous decreases in blood-sodium levels. Athletes with kidney failure should talk to their doctors about the benefits and disadvantages of drinking sports drinks that contain electrolytes.