• Lawson Ekpe, Emin Emin, Onuche Lawrence, and Osuji Kingsley.
• Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
• J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2022 Apr 1; 32 (4): S12-S14.

AbstractHyponatremia is regarded as the most common electrolyte imbalance among hospitalised patients. Most hyponatremic conditions present with various degrees of symptoms depending on the level of sodium. Herein, we present a case of hyponatremia in a 65-year male, which was being managed as a case of diabetic nephropathy. On admission, initial results showed a sodium level of 120 mmol/L. Subsequent electrolyte assay after a week on medications showed serum sodium of 103 mmol/L with no associated symptoms of hyponatremia, except nausea and an episode of vomiting. There was no associated focal neurological deficit in the patient. Glasgow coma scale was 15. A repeat electrolyte assay done 24 hours later showed a serum sodium level of 102 mmol/L. The simultaneous level of potassium was 2.6 mmol/L and 2.7 mmol/L, respectively. From this case, it is important to note that the level of hyponatremia does not necessarily have a direct relationship with the severity of symptoms of hyponatremia. Key Words: Hyponatremia, Electrolytes, Diabetic nephropathy.

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