I was just trawling over my last very full blood results to see what I could learn. Again! All this towards taking T3 which appears to be my very necessary direction.
Really there were no surprises. Vit D low, minor so far knock on effect to bone tests etc etc.
However, for thoroughness and making no assumptions, there was one labelled Sodium. I have never had that tested before. Learning to be wary of ranges from the forum I thought the result looked a bit on the high side at 140 (133-146) bang in the middle of the range. NORMAL? and I am thinking heart issues, which are my problem. So checked it out and the test is to show “Accelerated Aging”.
Is this not what I am always telling my GP? Anybody with hypothyroidism out there does not feel this?
Anyway it fitted my discovery that whilst I was told I was being referred to a CFS/ME/Fibro Clinic for ‘help’, I since found out it is for age. So it all fits. It’s not hypothyroidism. It’s not CFS/ME/Fibro - it’s AGE.
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Strange you've never had sodium tested before. Most doctors test it all the time, along with potassium. If it's 'bang in the middle', it's actually on the low side. Not sure what that has to do with age. More like the amount of salt in your diet.
Yes it seems a bit ‘random’. However we know that doctors are often led by research; even when it’s twenty years old and not updated. However just ‘following the guidelines is never enough. Context is of utmost importance and doctors seem to have a lot of facts but often not much context, as we hypothyroids know as we are subjected to every day.
If it's 'bang in the middle', it's actually on the low side.
^^^ Always was curious about optimal sodium levels. I'm curious to know what your thoughts would be on what results would look more optimal on her ranges 140 (133-146)????
Ok very interesting. I know I can have a desire for salt as well as a desire for something sweet. Both help me when I have brain fog and energy issues. Today’s task is reading the instructions on the box of tricks from Regennerus for my adrenal testing.
Well now I have read the instructions, I can say they have been poorly adapted for the UK. As if we do not have enough problems!
I wouldn’t describe these as cravings. I definitely have had cravings in the past - they are different. I think of craving as being unable to stop when you get access to whatever the craving is for. Since I started Levo, which I have the cheek to still complain about, I eat what I feel I need and no more. Honestly it feels quite different.
Hey less of the ‘old’. In many ways I still feel young. I remain interested and curious. It’s just I can’t do very much. Even small tasks involve negotiation with self. Some might call it procrastination.
I too had in the forefront of my mind that salt was bad. I use it certainly but I don’t think too much.
I've just had a google about 'old people tending to suffer from low sodium', but all I can find is that 'old people tend to take more medications that will lower sodium levels'! That sounds a bit feeble to me. I'm 78 and all I take is my T3 and nutritional supplements. If 'old people' were tested correctly for thyroid, and correctly treated, they probably wouldn't need to take all that medication. But, then, Big Pharma would probably go bankrupt, so that's not going to happen!
It's high levels of sodium that has an effect on cognition and the brain.
Love the idea of your 'mother outlaw'. My mother-in-law should have been outlawed! 🤣
What are the symptoms of low sodium in the elderly NHS?
Na <130mmol/L is associated with a cognitive decline even when not reported by the patient. Other symptoms include; lethargy, anorexia, nausea, agitation, dizziness, disorientation, seizures, coma..
But you are right GG exacerbated by all the extra pills for this that and the other
You should see them round my way (in France). The go to the pharmacy with huge shopping bags and come out with them brimming over with good knows what. I cannot bear to go into pharmacies because it's always full of pensioners, with their long shopping lists, and it takes an age to serve them! I said to myself a long time ago, I will not be like them! I wouldn't take thyroid hormone if I could avoid it, but...
Then, the big bosses complain about the social security being bankrupt. Well, it's not surprising, is it, when doctors over-prescribe like that.
Similar. I was shocked when I lived in Saudi for a while but it was the Americans standing in line whilst they purchased their huge list of drugs over the counter. No prescriptions required. I just accompanied them - us women moved around en masse. I never bought anything after early on making the mistake of buying something over the counter for migraine. Instinctively I did not use it. When I returned to the UK, my cardiologist said I could have killed myself by taking it! Thirty five quid for five pills about twenty years ago. Americans do not bat an eyelid, they are quite used to paying huge amounts for long lists of drugs. Drugs for every ailment. Say a cold, Americans start with anti biotics etc.
It’s a huge problem for our welfare bill in the UK. When I cleared out my M-I-L house, we filled black bags with unused drugs.
I wonder how they work out the levels. In our society where many people depend on that food you buy made up in the supermarket (shoot can’t remember the name) which is allegedly full of salt. I don’t buy/use it. Make most of my food from scratch, maybe that affects salt levels after all? Convenience food!!!
🤣 It wasn't aimed at you, your salt level is pretty good so I wouldn't guess your age from it 🤗 but it does seem to be something they keep close tabs on with the aged as it has a big effect on cognition etc.... I can't remember if it is linked to urinary infections...
I think I'm a fair bit younger than you and go through the same negotiations 😬
Thank you Eeyore100. That’s made my day (Age wise) and as I had no idea what ‘levels’ were expected, I now have a bit of knowledge from both you and @Greygoose. You are correct about cognition though and having had a number of issues around that with both no medication and changes to medication it’s scary.
So the doctor who dismissed my new aches and pains that I thought were a result of my T4 monotherapy by saying “well, you’ve never been this age before…” was actually right? And I was wrong to give him the ‘Paddington Stare’?
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NICE and NHS Guidelines - Links to useful bits!
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