Sodium
Sodium is the main extracellular electrolyte and governs fluid balance, nerve impulse transmission, and muscle contraction. Low sodium (hyponatremia) can cause confusion, seizures, and falls and may reflect heart failure, SIADH, diuretic use, or excessive water intake; high sodium (hypernatremia) usually indicates dehydration or impaired thirst response and can cause neurologic symptoms.
Units: mEq/L; some labs report mmol/L (same number in both units). Check the units on your report before comparing to any range here.
Optimal range: who says what
Institutions, researchers and practitioners draw the line in different places. Each position is listed with who holds it and, where a document states it, a link. How we verify ranges.
- Institution or study138-142 mEq/LARIC cohort (Dmitrieva et al. 2023, EBioMedicine): mid-referenceMiddle-age sodium above 142 mmol/L went with 39% higher risk of chronic disease and up to 50% higher odds of being biologically older; above 144 mmol/L went with 21% higher premature mortality
- Named practitioner138-142 mmol/LLife Extension · Lab Testing Protocol (Suggested Optimal Ranges)Disclosure: Life Extension sells lab panels that appear in our blood-test comparisons.
- Lab reference interval135-145 mEq/L (MedlinePlus)What a lab report flags against. A lab interval is not an optimal target.
Practitioner targets are individual positions, often tighter than guideline ranges. Each was checked against its article before publishing.
20 of 21 itemized panels
Electrolytes & Minerals
Why Sodium matters
Critical for nerve and muscle function, fluid balance, and blood pressure regulation. Abnormal levels can cause weakness, confusion, and cardiac issues.
Which Providers Test Sodium?
Cheapest: Oura Health Panels at $99/year. Most comprehensive: Function Health, 160+ biomarkers for $365/year.
20 panels that include it, cheapest first
| Provider | Annual Cost | Total Biomarkers | $/Biomarker |
|---|---|---|---|
| $99 | 50 | $1.98 | |
| $190 | 100+ | $1.90 | |
| $250 | 65 | $3.85 | |
| $297 | 100+ | $2.97 | |
 Labcorp OnDemand | $338 | 50+ | $6.76 |
 Superpower | $349 | 100+ | $3.49 |
| $349 | 75+ | $4.65 | |
 WHOOP Advanced Labs | $349 | 65 | $5.37 |
 Function Health | $365 | 160+ | $2.28 |
| $365 | 100+ | $3.65 | |
| $375 | 108 | $3.47 | |
| $449 | 83 | $5.41 | |
| $495 | 80+ | $6.19 | |
| $499 | 100+ | $4.99 | |
| $700 | 138 | $5.07 | |
| $829 | 54 | $15.35 | |
| $895 | 100+ | $8.95 | |
| $1188 | 70+ | $16.97 | |
| $1198 | 40+ | $29.95 | |
| $1950 | 130+ | $15.00 |
$/Biomarker is annual cost divided by the panel's advertised biomarker count, not the price of this one test. We track 23 blood test providers (32 plans); 21 of those plans are itemized marker by marker. Compare all of them.
1 itemized panel does not include Sodium
11 providers not itemized in our matrix
We have not itemized these marker by marker (some sell tests one at a time), so this page cannot say whether they offer Sodium. Check with them directly.
Life Extension Standard · Quest Health · Ultrahuman Blood Vision · Lifeforce · Hundred Health · Personalabs · Walk-In Lab · HealthLabs · WHOOP Specialized Panels · Marek Health Essential · Vitality Blueprint Upload
Experts discussing Sodium
Podcast episodes where clinicians and researchers cover this marker in depth. Curated by hand; an episode is listed only when the marker is a substantial topic, not a passing mention.
- Using Salt to Optimize Mental & Physical PerformanceDisclosure: Huberman Lab has been sponsored by Function Health, which appears in our blood-test comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal range for Sodium?
Published position: 138-142 mEq/L (ARIC cohort (Dmitrieva et al. 2023, EBioMedicine): mid-reference). Named practitioners target: 138-142 mmol/L (Life Extension). Lab reference interval: 135-145 mEq/L (MedlinePlus). That is what a lab report flags against, not an optimal target.
Which blood test providers include Sodium?
20 of the 21 blood testing panels we itemize marker by marker include Sodium in their panels. This biomarker is widely available across major providers.
Related: YouBoost rates lifestyle and supplement interventions by evidence.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Last reviewed Sep 23, 2026 · First published Sep 30, 2025