I'm 54 yrs and my doc said I have low blood sodium. What can cause this besides medications?

Question

My doctor checked the meds I take and she said it's not my meds and she thinks its either a mistake from the lab or something going on in my body. What could cause this and how do you cure it?? What could be the side effects if this continues?

Answer 1

Sodium is one of the electrolytes (along with Potassium and Chloride among others). If you don't have enough in your system, you can get some symptoms of dehydration among other things.

My first suggestion would be to have them re-test your blood (a fresh supply would be a good idea) to make sure it wasn't a lab error. If it's not a lab error, it means you don't have enough sodium in your diet and may want to consult your doctor or a dietitian to find out what changes in your diet would be appropriate and healthy.

Answer 2

Thanks for this question and for the answer with all the web sites listed.
I also have low sodium levels most likely from Addison's disease - cause by removal of both of my adrenals due to Cushing's syndrome.
My doctor told me normal was over 137 whatevers, and mine is 126.
She told me to stop drinking water and drink either soda or juice or milk since that have sodium and will not flush what I have away.

I'd love to know if you have any more info.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Hyponatremia is decrease in plasma Na concentration < 136 mEq/L caused by an excess of water relative to solute. Common causes include diuretic use, diarrhea, heart failure, and renal disease. Clinical manifestations are primarily neurologic (due to an osmotic shift of water into cells), especially in acute hyponatremia, and include headache, confusion, and stupor; seizures and coma may occur. Diagnosis is by measuring plasma Na; plasma and urine electrolytes and osmolality help determine the cause. Treatment involves restricting water intake and promoting its loss, replacing any Na deficit, and treating the cause.
Sodium is the main cation (positive ion) that circulates in the body fluids outside the cells. It is a critical component in blood pressure maintenance. Sodium is also essential for the proper workings of nerves and muscles.
In hyponatremia, the imbalance of water to salt is caused by one of three conditions:
* Hypovolemic hyponatremia -- water and sodium are both lost from the body, but the sodium loss is greater.
* Hypervolemic hyponatremia -- both sodium and water content in the body increase, but the water gain is greater.
* Euvolemic hyponatremia -- there is an increase in total body water, but the sodium content remains constant.
Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder in the United States. It occurs in approximately 1% of patients admitted to the hospital.
Causes of hyponatremia include:
* Burns
* Vomiting and diarrhea
* Use of diuretics ("water pills"), especially of the type known as thiazide diuretics
* Certain kidney diseases
* Liver cirrhosis
* Congestive heart failure
* Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
SIADH is an inability of the body to excrete dilute urine. Common causes of SIADH are various cancers, central nervous system disorders, medications, hypothyroidism (lower-than-normal thyroid-hormone levels), and extremely stressful conditions, including surgery.

Answer 4

what does your doctor want you to do, I would think it is caused by not enough potassium in your diet, salt and potassium go hand in hand

Answer 5

eat more salt