What is the MELD-Na score used for?

The MELD-Na score is the primary tool used by UNOS/OPTN in the United States to allocate donor livers. Patients with higher MELD-Na scores are sicker and are given higher priority on the transplant waiting list. It replaced the original MELD score in 2016 because sodium independently predicts 90-day mortality in cirrhosis.

How is MELD-Na different from the original MELD score?

The original MELD score uses only creatinine, bilirubin, and INR. MELD-Na adds serum sodium, which improves mortality prediction — particularly for patients with dilutional hyponatremia, who are at higher risk than their original MELD score suggests.

What are the creatinine limits in the formula?

Per UNOS guidelines, creatinine is capped at 4.0 mg/dL. Patients on dialysis (two or more times in the past week) are automatically assigned a creatinine of 4.0 mg/dL. Creatinine values below 1.0 are set to 1.0 to avoid negative contributions.

What sodium values are valid?

Serum sodium is capped between 125 and 137 mEq/L per the UNOS MELD-Na formula. Values below 125 are treated as 125, and values above 137 are treated as 137. This prevents extreme values from unduly inflating or deflating the score.

Is this calculator a substitute for clinical judgment?

No. This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. MELD-Na scores should always be interpreted by a qualified hepatologist or transplant specialist in the context of a complete clinical evaluation.

What score is needed to be listed for a liver transplant?

Most centers list patients when their MELD-Na score is 15 or higher, as the benefit of transplant typically outweighs the risk at that threshold. However, listing criteria vary by transplant center and region.

MELD-Na Score Calculator

Name: MELD-Na Score Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Calculate the MELD-Na score from serum creatinine, bilirubin, INR, and sodium to assess liver disease severity and transplant priority.

Lab Values

Enter the most recent lab results.

Serum Creatinine (mg/dL)

Capped at 4.0 per UNOS guidelines. Dialysis patients: enter 4.0.

Total Bilirubin (mg/dL)

INR (international normalized ratio)

Serum Sodium (mEq/L)

Values outside 125–137 are capped per UNOS formula.

90-Day Mortality Risk Reference

MELD-Na	Severity	90-Day Mortality
< 10	Minimal	< 2%
10–19	Moderate	6–20%
20–29	Serious	20–50%
30–39	Severe	50–80%
≥ 40	Critical	> 80%

Mortality estimates are approximations based on published UNOS transplant registry data. Individual outcomes vary. This tool is for educational use only — not a substitute for clinical evaluation.

Summary