MELD-Na Calculator
What is MELD-Na Calculator
The MELD-Na score measures the severity of chronic liver disease and is used to prioritise patients on the liver transplant waiting list. It combines bilirubin, creatinine and INR into a base MELD, then adjusts for serum sodium, since a low sodium signals worse outcomes. The score ranges from 6 to 40, and a higher number means higher short-term mortality and greater transplant priority.
How to use
- Enter bilirubin and creatinine in mg/dL.
- Enter the INR and the serum sodium in mmol/L.
- Tick the box if the patient had dialysis at least twice in the past week, which sets creatinine to 4.0.
- Read the MELD-Na score out of 40 and its severity band.
When to use it
A patient with cirrhosis has a bilirubin of 2.0, creatinine of 1.5, INR of 1.3 and sodium of 130, and you want the current MELD-Na? Enter those values and the score comes out at 22, in the high-severity range that carries meaningful transplant priority. It turns four lab values into the single number that drives allocation discussions.
Frequently asked questions
How is the sodium correction applied?
The sodium term is only added when the base MELD is above 11. Sodium is clamped to a range of 125 to 137 mmol/L, and the final MELD-Na is capped between 6 and 40.
When is creatinine set to 4.0?
Creatinine is floored at 1.0 and capped at 4.0. If the patient had two or more dialysis sessions, or 24 hours of continuous dialysis, in the prior week, creatinine is set to 4.0 regardless of the measured value.
Is this the same as MELD 3.0?
No. This tool uses the 2016 UNOS MELD-Na. MELD 3.0 is a newer version that adds albumin and sex and changes the coefficients. Check which model your transplant programme currently uses.
Can I share this tool with my inputs pre-filled?
Yes. The URL updates automatically as you type. Copy it from the address bar or use the Copy link button, and anyone who opens the link will see your exact inputs ready to go.
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