Salt - serum sodium

[prunus]

I have just had my two monthly blood test. Whilst my ESR and CRP are within the normal range my serum sodium is 130mmol/L. (133 - 146.00mmol/L). It has been like this for the past year or so and everyone has ignored it 'til now. I am not one for pills unless I really need them like prednisolone. Can I do anything with diet ie up my salt intake? The reason I ask is I now have a young enthusiastic doctor on the case who wants me in and I do not want to go!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

That isn't really a concerningly low sodium - my husband's was far lower and no-one bothered, Try upping your salt intake - not that it made any difference to him and he ate mainly salty food.

[prunus in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that. I will do.

[Doraflora]

hi Prunus. My sodium level was 131 in January and it’s gradually dropped since then to 127! My GP thinks it could be attributed to the Losartan I’m currently on for BP, and he says to stop taking it (I started that BP med in January).

I have to collect a new prescription tomorrow for Lercanadipine, so FX that will help. Otherwise all my blood results were spot on.

My dietician at the surgery advised me not to add extra salt to food, but to eat more sodium rich foods (which we usually do anyway). Think I’ll go out & treat myself to a bag of salted peanuts to speed things up)🤣

I’ve got to have bloods checked again in 2 weeks to see how the Lercanadipine is working

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Doraflora]

Blowed if I can see the difference!!!!! NaCl is salt - however it arrives!

However - do you drink a lot through the day? Reducing fluid intake is also a good way to reduce sodium loss through the kidneys.

[Doraflora in reply to PMRpro]

yep! Guilty as charged to a largish fluid intake. I’ve been thinking that the more water I drink the better it is for my kidneys. Maybe I’ve just overdone that.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Doraflora]

It is to a certain extent - however pred and some BP meds increase the loss of sodium in urine so it is better to drink "normal" amounts. The volumes recommended in some articles is really OTT and too much water can actually make you ill.

bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide...

is more reasonable. The fluid intake is not just water - it is liquid in everything including food. There is liquid in most foods and that makes up about a fifth of your fluid intake. The articles that trumpet "only water counts" are also rubbish - all tea or coffee do is make you pee it out quicker but it doesn't make you pee out more altogether.

[prunus]

Hi Doraflora. Thanks fo that. When I saw the Dr and told her I was trying to use more salt she did not seem too worried. Like you I have two monthly blood tests and she has given me a couple of her forms to submit with them when the time comes at the end of this month. Like you my other readings are OK including my ESR and CRP. Good luck for your new drug. Let me know if it works.

[technogran]

Well Prunus I feel a bit of a twit cos even though I've been on Prednisolone for 4+ years I've never heard of any connection with sodium and have never seen it on any literature about GCA. I'm desperate to taper from 10mg to 9mg so if upping my salt level would help I would be pleased to know. I'm also on Roactemra. Thanks for raising this question.