Low Blood Sodium When On BTK Inhibitors

[Davidcara]

Wondering if anyone has developed low sodium levels while on Acalabrutinib, Ibrutinib, or Zanubrutinib. We are told to drink plenty of water while on these medications. My sodium levels have been dropping over the last few months. I know this can be caused by many things. Just wondering if the 40-80 ounces of water is to much water.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

David, that's only 1.2 to 2.4 litres of water per day. Are you including all fluids in your daily consumption figures?

[Davidcara in reply to AussieNeil]

Not counting other fluid. Just 40 to 80 ounces of water. Usually right around 60 ounces. Seems like a lot. I am voiding clear urine most of the day.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to Davidcara]

You need to include all your fluids; coffee, tea, soups, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and so on. Even foods with high water content, such as watermelon, contribute to your fluid intake that eventually passes through your kidneys and helps with flushing away toxins from dying CLL cells. Decades ago a myth became established that caffeinated drinks didn't count in the "8 glasses of water you (supposedly) needed to drink per day" and that you needed to drink more to counter the (very slight) diuretic effect. That's not correct. You may find that reducing your water consumption will correct your low blood sodium (hyponatremia), but please discuss this with your treatment team.

See also: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Neil

[LeoPa]

Would upping your sodium intake help? If you flush out more you need to ingest more. I shoot for light yellow urine with my fluid intake. W&W.

[lexie]

My non-CLL husband developed hyponatremia during his treatment for post organ transplant. First, they suggested more salty foods like ham and canned soup. It did not work and after a hospitalization with sodium IV, he was prescribed sodium tablets. Problem solved. Best for your doctors to guide you through this with testing.

[DGG1931]

When my sodium level was low during my Venetoclax ramp up I was told to substitute one small bottle of Gatorade for one glass of required water intake and that did the trick for me.

[Davidcara in reply to DGG1931]

I’ll give it a try, thank you