Low thyroid and sodium

Posted by dawnteach @dawnteach, May 30, 2023

I am diagnosed with syndrome of antidiuretic hormone and take sodium prescription. Even when I take the sodium, use sodium, and reduce water consumption, my sodium level runs 133-135. More recently, I've been diagnosed with Hashimotos disease and take Synthyoid. Thyroid levels are normal but I'm starting with symptoms like I had before Synthroid. Could there be a correlation between my low sodium and thyroid function? Can my diet be contributing to my thyroid function? I eat an extremely healthy diet of vegetables, fruit, dairy, healthy oils, protein. No sugar no flour. Any ideas appreciated

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@dawnteach welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I just saw your post inquiring about a possible connection between low thyroid and (low) sodium. I don’t know but am interested in this also. My husband has no thyroid (due to thyroid cancer) and my daughter has low thyroid. Both are on Synthroid or Levothyroxine. What kind of symptoms are you having? What are the symptoms of Hashimotos?

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Interesting. I’ve been on Synthroid for years , due to radiation treatment for Graves’ disease. I am also chronically lower in sodium, usually testing in the same range as you are. My doctor thinks there is no issue as the acceptable bottom range is 136, which is just above my testing levels. My doctor prescribed nothing, just advising to eat as much sodium as I am comfortable with.

I suffer with serious dizzy spells and sweating which he feels is not related to my sodium level. The sweating seems to be related to my thyroid medication, as it stops within 2 days if I go off the Synthroid. We have not been able to find any correlation in any with regards to the dizzy spells and they are seriously impacting my life and I am u able to drive a lot of the time anymore.

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@catherinebird

Interesting. I’ve been on Synthroid for years , due to radiation treatment for Graves’ disease. I am also chronically lower in sodium, usually testing in the same range as you are. My doctor thinks there is no issue as the acceptable bottom range is 136, which is just above my testing levels. My doctor prescribed nothing, just advising to eat as much sodium as I am comfortable with.

I suffer with serious dizzy spells and sweating which he feels is not related to my sodium level. The sweating seems to be related to my thyroid medication, as it stops within 2 days if I go off the Synthroid. We have not been able to find any correlation in any with regards to the dizzy spells and they are seriously impacting my life and I am u able to drive a lot of the time anymore.

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Have you had possible inner ear issues ruled as that can also cause dizziness? So can low blood pressure (lots of things can cause dizziness).

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@ladybenites

Have you had possible inner ear issues ruled as that can also cause dizziness? So can low blood pressure (lots of things can cause dizziness).

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No inner ear issues, no blood pressure issues (either low, high, or changes in sitting vs standing blood pressure). No other symptoms present. My doctor is totally stumped 😢

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So I struggle with drug induced low sodium issues myself related to taking an SSRI for depression/anxiety. Mostly I managed it in the past with light fluid restriction. I also take Synthroid for low thyroid. But things have gone a bit haywire for me lately and nothing seems to be working as it should or was. Accessing second opinions here in Los Angeles has gotten really tough. All the docs are too busy. Frustrating.

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Okay, this caught my eye. I also have hyperthyroidism with low sodium problems. I got diagnosed with low sodium per a car accident. Sodium was 121 at the time. I have been luck to get it as high as 137 once.
Now seeing a urologist to see what is going on. I also was out on sodium tablets and told to reduce my liquid intake. Last test in October, level was just 134, BP is up so adjusting that med. Now I reduce my liquid level lower but don’t expect much end of month lab draw.
No one can explain to me why it happened so suddenly and why. I am on my 70’s and increasing salt intake. But it scared my early this year when I was on my own out of town and knew my level was low ( no symptoms prior) thank goodness my daughter was in the area to drive me back to hotel. With a lot of sodium loaded foods I got it up to be able to function the next day snd drive home safely.
Any suggestions on prevention would help. Thank you

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I find that physicians mostly see the low sodium and say oh good (because of my weight), then they see I have low blood pressure and also think wow great! But I’m not functioning correctly and it’s as if the sheer terror of my being overweight causes the logic to shut off. I am BIG therefore my sodium is bad when it’s low, it’s not gonna just divvy up and go to work. I’m sorry for rambling and ranting, I’m frustrated today and I believe this soapbox I’m on is cracking under my feet. Supplement recommendations? TIA

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I did as the nephrologist wanted. Brain CT normal, lab work put me at 135. Big deal. He has basically dismissed me to salt tablets and fluid restriction. Go away, is how I felt. Meanwhile B/P is up and down. I have been in charge in regulating my B/P meds.
Since taking salt tablets, my taste and smell has been off. Nothing smells good so no taste, why eat? And then I feel like no one knows the answer. Finish the year off with PCP and thyroid doctors to see what is next. I don’t like the salt tablets. I don’t know what is next.

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My sodium was 129 consecutively. I have low TSH, Low T3 and Low T4. Usually when your TSH is low that means you are Hyperthyroid ( high), and thus your T3 and T4 would be high. BUT My T3 and T4 are also low at the bottom( in the Red! Doesn’t make sence unless your Hypothyroidism is Not Hashimoto. It’s related to abnormalities in your Pituitary which the anti diuretic hormone is regulated also. I DO NOT retain fluid. I do drink a lot to supplement. My hypothyroidism is not treated by my TSH level but by my T3 and T4. I take a T4 and T3: Synthroid and Cytomel. The regulation did not correct my poor electrolytes so I also take a glass of water am and PM with table salt which is sodium and some Nu salt which is potassium. I only do what the recommended daily requirement recommends . My B/P runs average of 110/50-60 or lower. I am normal weight. Actually I supplement with only about an additional 50% of the RDA since I get the RDA from my Diet. My electrolytes are monitored and since I have done this my sodium has gone up to just the normal low of 135. My Potassium is also normal now. I also take Mg twice a day and that is now within normal limits. I have had the MRI and no tumors. Talk this over with both your endocrinologist and the nephrologist. With the table salt and the salt substitute I can control how much I need to take based on my lab values. If I take a pill you can’t control the amount you take. I have a medical background so I am aware of the symptoms when my levels are low and how to adjust my supplements. This is not for everyone. Always when you have consecutive abnormal levels make sure it’s not abnormal kidney function, hence see a Nephrologist. You did that so ask your Endocrinologist about your TSH, T3 and T4. Not all Endocrinologists are created equal. I’d say most only treat you by the TSH and that is so detrimental to some of us. Also same with your Nephrologist. Try a new one. Since Medical standards were lowered in Medical there are a lot of sub mediocre Drs. You health is worth finding a good knowledgeable Dr that listens to you. Oh yeah I also had muscle cramps in my calf’s and feet but since supplementing all gone now.

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I have Hashimoto’s also. I have had hyponatremia twice, once with seizures due to low sodium. I’d like to know if low thyroid is cause. My normal sodium is 144. Anything less than 126 I’m in the ER.

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