Seeing two doctors about my kidneys, one for the stones and one for CKD. The other day, I saw the one who is focused on the stones and before leaving he said 'hydrate, minimise salt intake, and stay away from spinach and bamboo shoots'. I asked him about protein as I have CKD. He said 'You don't have CKD'. I then asked 'whst about my Creatinine?' He then went quiet, possibly remembering that I have CKD. I left, but upon leaving reföected on how he seemed to give very stamdardised advice and this led me to wonder about some of the things he said. I will only ask one question here and that is about salt. Salt is tied to high blood pressure. High blood pressure is tied to kidney damage. However, if blood pressure is normal, need salt still be avoided? Is salt dangerous for kidney patients for reasons other than elevated blood pressure?
Salt: Seeing two doctors about my kidneys... - Kidney Disease
Salt
Hi NilsB. Simply check your labs regarding your sodium level. If it's in the normal range, then you're fine. Sodium, among others such as chloride and magnesium and more, are electrolytes. Electrolytes should be kept in the normal range for optimum body function including heart performance. High sodium levels, on the other hand, increases calcium levels which can then trigger kidney stones. Electrolytes are always checked in blood draws so they're readily available to check and study.
Thank you very much. I cannot remember exact Sodium levels now but to my knowledge they have never been high. Thanks for the input. Sad that he would give such stamdardised advice instead of looking at me specifically. I remember when the stones finally passed last time that he didn't care to analyse them either.
I found out the hard way about low sodium. My sodium and chloride levels were outside normal (low) parameters. I wound up with an erratic heartbeat, shimmering vision, weird dreams, extreme fatigue, etc. I literally passed out in a restaurant (3 times in quick succession, don't remember any of it). I was nearly hospitalized. Suspect low electrolytes can lead to sudden death. It can definitely lead to loss of a driver's license. Always wise to keep a good eye on your labs.
Good advice but am I correct in thinking that if one has high BP that would not apply?
Just remember that normal intake is probably well below what the average American consumes in a day by not thinking about it.
I have normal blood pressure and was still told to avoid salt. The reason is my nephrologist says it leads to inflammation of the kidney (regardless of blood pressure) which increases protein spillage. It may also depend on the type of CKD. Mine is autoimmune. Someone posted a really helpful video of their nephrologist talking about diet at a medical conference a month or two ago. I’d look through the posts for it. It was very interesting.
Salt is also dehydrating...which is hard on kidneys and other organs
Avoiding salt also helps with edema. When CKD progresses you are more apt to have problems with swelling in your feet, ankles, hands, face, etc. Avoiding your salt intake will help with this.
No salt is not dangerous to humans it is a necessary nutrient however too much and too little can cause your heart to malfunction or fail.The American heart association recommend 850mg to 1500mg per day
unless your Dr recommend lower . If you cut out salt totally your adrenals can malfunction and cause high blood pressure crisis which will lead to organ damage and in unfortunate cases death from heart failure also if your egfr is above 60 it is not CKD yet unless you have physical kidney damage or injury protein in urine so in the early stages from 1 to 3 it is not the kidney to focus but the heart do heart healthy stuffs and your kidney will benefit