Hypertriglyceridemia Sodium Adjustment
Enter measured serum sodium and triglyceride concentration to estimate true sodium concentration when pseudohyponatraemia is suspected.
Correction factor assumes indirect ion-selective electrode measurement.
Corrected sodium
130.4 mEq/L
Correction amount
+2.4 mEq/L
How to Use This Calculator
Identify pseudohyponatraemia
Suspect when hyponatraemia coexists with markedly elevated triglycerides or lipemic serum.
Input lab values
Enter measured sodium (mEq/L) from indirect ISE method and total triglycerides (mg/dL).
Interpret corrected sodium
Use the corrected value to differentiate true hyponatraemia from laboratory artifact and avoid unnecessary hypertonic therapy.
Formula
Corrected Na⁺ = Measured Na⁺ + (0.002 × Triglyceridesmg/dL)
This approximates the dilutional effect on sodium measurement by lipemic serum when using indirect ion-selective electrodes.
Full Description
Severe hypertriglyceridemia can cause pseudohyponatraemia when laboratory analyzers dilute the sample, lowering the measured sodium. Correcting for triglycerides helps distinguish true hypo-osmolar hyponatraemia from laboratory artifact. Always correlate with serum osmolality, clinical status, and consider direct ion-selective electrode (blood gas) measurements when available.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is correction necessary?
Apply when triglycerides exceed ~1000 mg/dL and hyponatraemia is present, especially if serum osmolality is normal or high.
Does this correct true hyponatraemia?
No. It only adjusts for lab artifact. True hypo-osmolar hyponatraemia requires appropriate therapy.
Why use 0.002 as the factor?
Studies estimate sodium decreases ~0.002 mEq/L per 1 mg/dL triglyceride in lipemic samples analyzed by indirect ISE. Some labs may use slightly different factors.
What alternative confirms pseudohyponatraemia?
Measure sodium with a direct ion-selective electrode (blood gas analyser) or evaluate serum osmolality—normal osmolality with hyponatraemia suggests pseudohyponatraemia.