Pseudohyponatraemia in a patient with obstructive jaundice.
BACKGROUND
Pseudohyponatraemia is uncommonly associated with severe hypercholesterolaemia. Severe hypercholesterolaemia encountered in obstructive jaundice due to an abnormal lipoprotein, lipoprotein X (LpX), may result in pseudohyponatraemia.


METHODS
We report a case of falsely low sodium measurements in a patient with severe hypercholesterolaemia due to obstructive liver disease. The pathophysiology, complications and analytical effects of LpX are briefly discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
The possibility of pseudohyponatraemia should be considered in severely hypercholesterolaemic samples.
le Riche
Mia
M
Department of Chemical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Tygerberg Hospital, University of Stellenbosch, P.O. Box 19113, Tygerberg 7505, Parow, South Africa. mleriche@sun.ac.za
Burgess
Lesley J
LJ
Marais
A David
AD
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D008073:Lipoprotein-X / Q000032:analysis
D008073:Lipoprotein-X