What do your sodium levels mean?
The short answer
The doctors we follow don't watch sodium. So there's no target here — they looked and moved on.
“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.”
Your lab prints 135–145 mmol/L. That range exists to catch disease, not to describe your best.
What sodium measures
The main electrolyte controlling your body's water balance.
It tracks hydration and hormone signalling 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?
Under 135 mmol/L, your report marks it low. Between 135 and 145 it prints as normal. Over 145, your report marks it high. 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 signalling more than the salt you eat.
Why is there no target here?
Because Dr. Mark Hyman argues sodium isn't the number to watch. The clip above is that moment.