Hyponatraemia

This condition is treated in the Endocrinology clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to the referral standards and also include:

• Symptoms, if any, or whether found incidentally
• Acute hyponatraemia may cause confusion which should be noted
• Co-morbidities such as oedematous conditions (cardiac failure, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome)
• Medications especially diuretics and reason for their use
• Reasons for hypovolaemia including adrenal insufficiency

Tests

• Assess mental state
• U&E Cr, eGFr
• Serum and urine osmolality
• Urine sodium
• TFTs
• Chest X-ray should be considered
• Abdominal X-ray or CT if abdominal malignancy suspected

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Endocrinology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Think of possible causes such as inappropriate ADH secretion caused by medications such as SSRis, hypothyroidism, intracranial pathology, chest pathology or abdominal malignancy.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

? Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

? Acute confusion/delirium

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Availability

North

John Morris Diabetes Centre
Northern Integrated Care Centre

Phone: 6777 4145
Fax: 6777 5247

North West

North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6493 6300
Fax: 6464 1928

Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 1800 636 455
Fax: 6441 5928

Diabetes Centre
North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6493 6100
Fax: 6431 8061

Diabetes Clinic
Devonport Community Health Centre
Phone: 6493 6100
Fax: 6441 5946

Paediatric
North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6493 6300
Fax: 6464 1928

South

Wellington Clinics
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 3982