24 Hrs Urinary Sodium Test

human body requires minimum seven liters of water each day to stay fresh and completely hydrated. If the body is not properly hydrated it might lead to several disorders like kidney stone, dehydration, etc. Our body has huge amount of sodium and is present in every cell. It is crucial to keep the sodium balanced in our body as it is directly involved in the function of nerves and muscles. The Urinary Sodium test is conducted to check the level of sodium in your body. This test determines the regulation of sodium and proper functioning of kidney. There are two types of sodium tests; one is a random test which looks for sodium in a single urine sample and the 24-hour test which checks the sample for 24 hours.

The test requires the patient to collect their urine sample in a small bottle and provide it to the lab. This step is easy for adults and small children. However, for an infant a special bag is put in the diaper and the urine sample is collected. In case of any confusion visit your pediatrician and they will tell you how to use it. For a 24-hour test the medical facility will provide you the plastic container which you will bring home and collect the sample over the course of two days. The doctor will ask you to avoid collecting the urine sample just after you wake up the first day. After that you have to regularly collect the sample till next day and submit the container for test.

The primary purpose of this test is to check the sodium level in your body and proper functioning of kidney. The test is also ordered to check for dehydration or excessive water intake. The test is ordered in following cases too: Medullary cystic kidney disease Hypertension Acute Tubular Necrosis

The test is simple and painless and just requires the patient to collect the urine sample into the plastic container. The doctor will ask you to stop taking and medications that might change the levels of sodium in your body. Stop taking the following drugs two days before the test: Streptomycin, neomycin (antibiotics) Furosemide, HCTZ (Prostaglandins) Prednisone, cortisone (Diuretics) Ibuprufen, naproxen (corticosteroids) You should inform your doctor about all of your medications including over-the-counter drugs. Only stop medications which your doctor has asked you to stop. Your doctor might also ask you to reduce your diet for this test as the food can also change sodium levels in the body.