Low sodium levels and high blood pressure

[Red1973]

Have had several blood tests over past year which show low sodium levels. Last result showed level of 128 so doctor changed my blood pressure tablets from Bendroflumethide ( which I had been on for many years ) to Candesartan .

As I need to keep blood pressure levels as low as possible can anyone suggest how I can increase my sodium levels as too much salt etc can adversely affect my blood pressure ?

I am awaiting latest blood test results so I can ask my doctor but wonder if anybody else has had this problem.

[Happyrosie]

That’s a hard question! If this were me, I’d be round to my pharmacist discussing it as I know he’d either … know the answer or

…. say there isn’t one, or

…. make a couple of,suggestions.

[gaelianbr22]

I had low sodium with Candesartan. I was running to the toilet a lot with that tablet and my sodium level was very low and that lasted for a long time after I came off them. They kept checking me for UTI which were all negative.

[ling]

A couple of questions -

Last result showed level of 128 so doctor changed my blood pressure tablets from Bendroflumethide ( which I had been on for many years ) to Candesartan .

The change to candesartan is because Bendroflumethide is not suitable with low sodium levels?

What is the cause of your low sodium level?

As I need to keep blood pressure levels as low as possible can anyone suggest how I can increase my sodium levels as too much salt etc can adversely affect my blood pressure ?

You want to increase your sodium level but not by increasing your salt intake?

What is your gender?

Best wishes.

[JPBee in reply to ling]

I was on blood pressure tablets and my sodium levels were low.I also was on fluoxetine for anxiety...That was the culprit! I don't take BP meds now,I walk a lot and jeep myself healthy.Are you on any other meds?

[ling in reply to JPBee]

Fluoxetine caused your low sodium level?

[Red1973 in reply to ling]

Hi LingBelatedly thanks for your response.

I have now been told by dr receptionist that recent blood test show sodium level 133“ so that’s ok”

Will now take up with dr as to why level always so low ( as I understand it acceptable range is 133-146)as low levels of 133 and below have been picked up on several occasions in last 18 months .(including once on a & e where I attended for different matter)

Will also raise balancing salt intake against blood pressure.

By chance I did notice a comment in separate section on HU that steroids can help in increasing sodium retention so may mention that to dr as I had already been thinking of asking for short term steroid “trial “ to combat various pains (inflammation? ) throughout body.

[Reader7]

I have the same problem with low blood sodium and high blood pressure. My nephrologist looked at my sodium levels over a couple of years and concluded that 129-132 was normal for me since I had no symptoms.

[cuore in reply to Reader7]

Is your potassium also low ? Have you been tested for primary aldosteronism. Your kidneys may be producing too much aldosterone.

[cuore]

Have you also checked your potassium level? The combination of a low sodium level and low potassium level with very hard to control high blood pressure may be due to primary aldosteronism -- the adrenal glands producing too much aldosterone.

[Reader7 in reply to cuore]

I believe I've been checked for aldosteronism. The diuretic I'm on (spironolactone) is potassium-sparing so my levels have been ok. Sodium level last test was 132 which is an improvement. Unfortunately, I still have to take four medications to control my blood pressure...despite following all the recommended lifestyle changes. But I feel fine and have plenty of energy for being 75.

[cuore in reply to Reader7]

Spironolactone is the med given if the adrenal glands are producing too much aldosterone. So, I would think you o have primary aldosterone. I have recently been diagnosed with it. I am curious as to what your four medications are for high blood pressure.

[Reader7 in reply to cuore]

Metoprolol, losartan, clonidine, plus the spironolactone.

[cuore in reply to Reader7]

I would suggest that you go back to your health care provider and discuss why you are taking an ARB (losartan) with spironolactone because several sites say that there is an interaction between the two. Perhaps you might even have a talk with your pharmacist. I would be interested to know what the results are because my internist is gong to place me on spironolactone, but I am taking at present telmisartan which I think he will tell me to stop. But I will not see him until the middle of June.

[Reader7 in reply to cuore]

Thanks for your reply. I've been dealing with uncontrolled blood pressure for a couple of years. My internist did all he could before sending me to a nephrologist. I had many tests...CT scan, ultrasound, blood and urine tests, before the nephrologist prescribed a combination of meds that are taken throughout the day. My blood pressure is kept on an even keel and I feel fine and no longer stressed out about the possibility of having a stroke (as my parents did) or high blood pressure damaging other parts of my body. Like you, I try to take charge of my health...at this point, I'm not comfortable changing anything. Again, thanks for taking the time to respond to my post.

[cuore in reply to Reader7]

I am pleased to hear that you have your blood pressure under control by covering all the bases. Good luck to you.

[peter999999999]

mine told me to eat crisps when my salt levels droped

[Red1973]

Thank you for your comments BPDoctor.

It’s about a year from my original post and having had several tests since then my sodium level has been around 133 ( apart from one test of 137)

However couple of months ago doctor changed my blood pressure tablets from Felodipine ( as they brought BP down but made ankles and feet swell) to Indapamide.

Couple of weeks later I felt really ill and went to a&e . They did ecg and chest x ray which were ok but bloods showed sodium of 125 which then dropped to 122 as I was given saline infusion and kept in for several days until level reached 127 which they said was acceptable.The indapamide was blamed and stopped and indeed when I later checked side effects it was noted as causing low sodium problems .My last blood test was 133 but hospital/ pharmacist/ doctor have all been unable to provide specific advice as to how to ensure sodium level adequate.

Recent blood pressure levels since stopping Indapamide deemed ok but still need to monitor.

[ChrissiG]

my last 2 blood tests both showed sodium levels of 133 and 135-145 is the normal range. My doctor suspects it’s the losartan so I am currently reducing the dose and having repeat bloods done. I hope it is those because I have other side effects that I’m pretty sure are due to them and want to come off them. I will need to take something though because my BP is too high without (around 160/90)