What is MELD-Na?
The MELD-Na score is a clinical tool used to estimate disease severity in people with advanced liver disease. It builds on the classic MELD score by adding serum sodium, which improves prediction of short-term mortality in many patients with cirrhosis.
In practical use, higher scores generally indicate higher urgency for liver transplant evaluation. This page gives you a quick calculator for educational use so you can understand how each lab value changes the score.
Formula used in this calculator
This tool applies commonly used MELD and MELD-Na equations with standard bounds for lab inputs:
How to use the calculator correctly
1) Enter current lab values
Use the most recent verified lab results. Enter bilirubin, INR, creatinine, and sodium in the units shown. If the patient has had dialysis at least twice in the past week, check the dialysis box.
2) Click calculate
The calculator returns:
- Calculated MELD score
- Calculated MELD-Na score
- Approximate 90-day mortality risk band
- Adjusted values used after standard bounds are applied
3) Interpret with caution
MELD-Na is one piece of clinical decision-making, not the whole picture. Symptoms, complications, imaging findings, comorbidities, and clinician judgment all matter.
Why sodium changes the score
Hyponatremia (low sodium) can reflect worse circulatory and kidney-related dysfunction in advanced liver disease. By incorporating sodium into MELD, MELD-Na often provides stronger short-term risk discrimination than MELD alone.
Important limitations
- This calculator is for educational and informational use only.
- It does not diagnose disease or replace professional medical care.
- Formula conventions can vary by institution, region, and policy updates.
- Always confirm transplant-related decisions with your hepatology or transplant team.
Quick FAQ
Is this the same score used everywhere?
Not always. Many centers use the same core framework, but policy details can change. Treat this as a reliable estimate, not an official listing calculation.
What if sodium is very high or very low?
For consistency, the MELD-Na equation applies sodium bounds (125 to 137). Values outside that range are clipped before calculation.
Can I use this for self-management?
You can use it to learn, but not to self-manage serious liver disease. Discuss all results with a qualified clinician.