What Is a Sodium Blood Test?

A sodium blood test (also called a serum sodium test) is a way for your health care provider to measure the amount of sodium in your blood. This test is often part of a group of tests that measure different substances in your blood, including:

A basic metabolic panel (BMP) is also called an electrolyte panel or a Chemistry panel or a Chem 7. It checks electrolytes, the acid to base balance of your blood, and blood glucose levels.

A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) checks electrolytes, but also checks blood protein levels and your liver function.

Sodium is key to helping send electrical signals between cells and controlling the amount of fluid in your body. Your body needs it for your cells to work the right way.

Most foods have sodium in them. The most common form is sodium chloride, found in table salt. Your body loses a certain amount of sodium each day through sweat and when you go to the bathroom.

A sodium blood test will measure your sodium level, because too little or too much can cause problems.