Chronic hyponatremia

Posted by heycal @heycal, Apr 7 9:16am

Anyone else have chronic hyponatremia? I'm a 62 year old male on meds for hypertensiona and high cholesterol and prone to anxiety and depression. My sodium numbers have been low for a couple of decades now, most often just below normal at around 131 or 132, but as low as 127 (and once 124 due to a specific medication).

Different doctors reacted differently when they saw those numbers. Some basically ignoring it since I told them its always low, others expressing more concern. (I've never had any obvious symptoms.) My total fluid intake, including coffee, soda, protein shake, etc, and water is around 124 oz a day. I often feel thirsty, so 64 oz of that total intake is water.

Last week during a visit to a kidney guy, partly due to curiosity about this issue and some high blood pressure issues, my sodium level was 128 (down from 131 the month before at another doctor.) He wants to restrict my fluid intake to 1 liter a day, which I said was basically impossible, but that I would do what I could -- likely reduce from 124 oz a day to perhaps 80 oz total and half my straight water intake -- and see if that moves the needle and we'll retest on Wednesday.

Thoughts, anyone?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

heycal | @heycal | Aug 28 2:56pm

In reply to @eaudren "Thanks. I do put extra salt and eat saltier foods but I am also on medication..." + (show)

I'm on medication for high blood pressure too. My kidney doc was well aware of that when he prescribed it. And being on it hasn't changed my BP any.

eaudren | @eaudren | Aug 28 6:08pm

In reply to @heycal "I'm on medication for high blood pressure too. My kidney doc was well aware of that..." + (show)

Thank you so much for letting me know! I will ask my doctor about that.

rosarian1 | @rosarian1 | Aug 30 1:17pm

In reply to @heycal "How about trying the sodium chloride I've been taking? Doesn't bother my stomach or antyhing else,..." + (show)

Where would you get that and what dosage

gloaming | @gloaming | Aug 30 7:48pm

In reply to @rosarian1 "Where would you get that and what dosage" + (show)

sodium chloride is table salt. If you can stand to drink it, a half tsp (teaspoon) in a glass of water is often what is recommended. Or, half that if it is easier for you to get down. But really, unless prescribed a certain dose by a qualified person, and unless that prescription comes in a tablet form (issued specifically to address your needs), you should be able to take table salt in water, or just add a few more shakes to your food.
Note that this is not qualified advice, except that I'm NOT qualified. I would ask you to consult a physician, if it's a problem with your metabolism, and ask that person if adding a bit more salt to food would help. If blood pressure rises, and you can't afford that, then you'll have to listen to a doctor advise differently.