The sodium:potassium ratio provides information about the relative levels of these two electrolytes and provides clues to alterations in adrenal hormone activity, especially that of aldosterone.
Aldosterone basically helps the kidneys retain sodium and water and excrete potassium. Stress can trigger an increase in aldosterone with an associated increase in the sodium:potassium ratio.
A low sodium:potassium ratio may be associated with adrenal insufficiency. In this case, both serum potassium and sodium should be evaluated further.
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