Sodium and chloride are essential minerals known as electrolytes because they conduct electricity. Both minerals play an important role in your health as the primary electrolytes in your extracellular fluid, which is the fluid outside of your cells. Low sodium and chloride is seen in a variety of conditions, including individuals with severe burns. If tests reveal you are low in sodium and chloride, discuss your concerns with your health care provider.
Sodium
Sodium helps your nerves and muscles function properly. It also helps maintain proper fluid volume, which is important for healthy blood pressure. Hyponatremia is the clinical term for low sodium. Your doctor can perform a test to measure the sodium levels in your blood. The normal range is 135 to 145 mEq/L, according to MedlinePus. However, normal values vary based on the lab that conducts your test. Most of the sodium in your body is in the compound form of sodium chloride, also known as salt.
Chloride
Chloride helps your body digest food, as a component of your digestive fluid. Chloride along with sodium helps your body maintain proper fluid balance. Chloride is found in a variety of vegetables including seaweed and celery. It is most commonly found as a component of salt, forming the compound sodium chloride. The normal range for chloride is 96 to 106 mEq/L. Hypochloremia is the term for low chloride levels.
Causes
Because sodium and chloride are abundant in your diet, deficiency is generally due to something other than dietary intake. For instance, drugs known as diuretics, which remove excess fluid, can decrease your sodium and chloride levels. A severe bout of diarrhea can cause low sodium and chloride levels also. You may have an underlying condition that causes excess sodium and chloride excretion. Because your kidneys help maintain sodium and chloride balance, kidney problems can lead to low sodium and chloride levels. Other conditions that can cause lower than normal sodium and chloride levels include liver disease and adrenal disorders. Your adrenal glands produce an anti-diuretic hormone that helps prevent excess fluid loss.
Symptoms and Treatment
Not everyone experiences symptoms when they have low sodium and chloride. However, symptoms of low sodium and chloride are similar. These include muscle spasms, fatigue, headache, nausea and muscle weakness. Treatment depends on how severe your sodium and chloride deficiency is. An electrolyte drink can help replenish your levels in mild cases, whereas intravenous replacement is required in more severe cases.
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