Dear Dr. SerVaas,
My sodium has been low since 1995. In the past year, my new doctor has given me three blood tests, and we have yet to find an explanation.
-M
Maryland
An abnormal lab result is not always a sign of trouble. Further investigation is warranted, however, and it sounds as though your doctor is taking good care of you.
In general, low sodium levels in the bloodstream (medical term: hyponatremia, pronounced hypo-nuh-TREE-me-uh) may be linked to taking water pills, chronic diarrhea, kidney problems, or profuse sweating (medical term: hyperhidrosis). Characteristic symptoms may include fatigue, headache, and abdominal cramps.
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I suffer from loss of sodiium resulting in two emergency hospital stays recently. My sodium count was 125 and my iron count is 9. I was instructed to take six sodium pills daily (I take three) and two iron tablets daily. I am concerned about the continuing diarrhea. I have had a colectomy (w/ internal J-pouch) and normally have loose stools. I am concerned that the oral sodium and iron tablets may be making the condition worse as now I have watery diarrhea that I think is aggravated by the meds. Any suggestions – the hospital medical doctor does not think that it is the adrenal glands that are causing the problem. Any suggestion to an alternative to the salt tablets? thanks…