What is a normal sodium level?
The short answer
A typical US lab prints a normal sodium range of 135–145 mmol/L. That range exists to catch disease, not to describe your best.
Nobody on the record puts a target on sodium. The quote below says why.
“If your sodium is, you know, is optimal, it's normal. It's like there's a very narrow range. Or calcium. These are things in your blood test that don't really have normal or optimal. They're just — there's just one reference range.”
What sodium measures
The main electrolyte controlling your body's water balance.
It tracks hydration and hormone signaling more than the salt you eat.
Checked against MedlinePlus — Sodium Blood Test.
Common questions
What is a normal sodium level?
Most US labs print 135–145 mmol/L. Your report grades you against that range. It exists to catch disease, not to describe your best.
What does your sodium number mean?
On a typical lab range, under 135 mmol/L is low, 135 to 145 is normal and over 145 is high. Your own report prints its range next to your number, and that is the one your lab uses. Nobody we follow has drawn a line inside that range.
What does the sodium test measure?
The main electrolyte controlling your body's water balance. It tracks hydration and hormone signaling more than the salt you eat.
Why is there no target here?
Because on video, sodium is described as having one range, the lab’s: “If your sodium is, you know, is optimal, it's normal. It's like there's a very narrow range. Or calcium. These are things in your blood test that don't really have normal or optimal. They're just — there's just one reference range.” (Dr. Mark Hyman, 1:16:19)