Why correct sodium for glucose?

Hyperglycemia causes water to shift from cells to blood, diluting sodium. True sodium = measured sodium + 1.6 × [(glucose - 100)/100]. Reveals masked hypernatremia in DKA/HHS.

When should I correct sodium?

Correct when glucose >100 mg/dL. Most important in DKA and HHS where glucose is very high. As glucose normalizes with treatment, serum sodium will rise.

What correction factor should I use?

Traditionally 1.6 mEq/L per 100 mg/dL glucose. Some use 2.4 for glucose >400 mg/dL. This calculator uses 1.6 which is most common.

What does corrected sodium tell me in DKA?

In DKA: If corrected Na is normal/high: pure osmotic diuresis. If corrected Na is low: combined osmotic + hypotonic fluid loss or excess free water. Guides fluid selection.

How should sodium change during DKA treatment?

As glucose falls, measured sodium should rise (~1.6 mEq/L per 100 mg/dL glucose drop). If sodium doesn't rise appropriately, patient may be receiving too much free water.

Why doesn't this apply to hyponatremia from other causes?

This correction is specific to hyperglycemia-induced dilutional effect. Other causes of hyponatremia (SIADH, heart failure, etc.) require different approaches.

Corrected Sodium Calculator

Correct sodium for hyperglycemia (DKA/HHS).

Lab Values

Serum Sodium

mEq/L

Measured serum sodium. May be falsely low in hyperglycemia due to dilutional effect.

Serum Glucose

mg/dL

Serum glucose level. Correction applies when >100 mg/dL. Most relevant in DKA/HHS.

DKA/HHS Alert: With glucose 400 mg/dL, corrected sodium reveals true sodium status masked by hyperglycemia.

Corrected Sodium

0.0 mEq/L

Hyponatremia

Measured Na

130 mEq/L

Glucose

400 mg/dL

Glucose Excess

300 mg/dL

Correction

+4.8 mEq/L

Formula

Corrected Na = Measured Na + 1.6 × [(Glucose - 100) / 100]

= 130 + 1.6 × [(400 - 100) / 100] = 130 + 4.8 = 0.0 mEq/L

Add 1.6 mEq/L to sodium for every 100 mg/dL glucose above 100.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Use

About the Corrected Sodium Calculator

What it calculates

This corrected sodium calculator applies a validated clinical scoring method used in healthcare settings. Sodium correction for hyperglycemia.

When to use it

Use as a clinical decision support aid alongside professional judgment — not as a standalone diagnosis.

Example

Adjust the inputs above to model your specific scenario with the Corrected Sodium Calculator.

Explore More

Corrected Sodium Calculator

Lab Values

0.0 mEq/L

Hyponatremia

Formula

About the Corrected Sodium Calculator

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