Corrected Sodium for Hyperglycemia Calculator

Estimate corrected sodium in hyperglycemia using both Katz and Hillier correction factors for more practical interpretation in DKA and HHS.

Last updated on: March 30, 2026

Calculate Corrected Sodium

mEq/L
Enter measured serum sodium in mEq/L.
Enter glucose in mg/dL or mmol/L. Both corrected sodium values will be shown automatically.

Clinical Significance

Measured sodium may appear falsely low in marked hyperglycemia because water shifts from the intracellular space to the extracellular space.

Corrected sodium helps reveal the underlying sodium status and is commonly used when interpreting diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state.

Formula and Example

Katz formula: Corrected sodium = measured sodium + 1.6 × ((glucose in mg/dL - 100) / 100). Hillier formula: corrected sodium = measured sodium + 2.4 × ((glucose in mg/dL - 100) / 100).

This calculator shows both results because the 1.6 factor is widely used, while 2.4 may better estimate the sodium change overall, especially in more severe hyperglycemia.

Example: if sodium is 130 mEq/L and glucose is 500 mg/dL, Katz gives 136.4 mEq/L and Hillier gives 139.6 mEq/L.

Reference Interpretation

Corrected Hyponatremia: Corrected sodium below 135 mEq/L suggests that true hyponatremia may still be present after accounting for hyperglycemia.
Corrected Sodium in Usual Range: Corrected sodium between 135 and 145 mEq/L suggests that the apparent low sodium may largely reflect the effect of hyperglycemia.
Corrected Hypernatremia: Corrected sodium above 145 mEq/L suggests significant free water deficit or hypertonicity and should be interpreted urgently in the full clinical context.

Clinical Notes

Corrected sodium is most useful as an interpretive aid in severe hyperglycemia. It should always be considered alongside volume status, osmolality, renal function, and the overall picture of DKA or HHS.

  • Use corrected sodium to better assess true sodium status in marked hyperglycemia.
  • Katz 1.6 remains widely used in practice, but Hillier 2.4 may better estimate the change overall.
  • Interpret with serum osmolality, glucose trend, clinical dehydration, and acid-base status.
  • Do not rely on a single corrected value in isolation for treatment decisions.

This page has been medically reviewed by Dr. Khoulah Attia – PharmD, Immunology Specialist.

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