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Is Blood Sodium Level Of 127 A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Fri, 20 Nov 2015

Question: I am 85 yrsold female. I am diabetic and take hydrochlorothorozyde. My last blood test showed my salt to be only 127. Dr has me drinking even more water but an other dr said to reduce water intake. I am on a salt free diet. What would you prescribe? YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
To reduce water intake

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

I would like to know a few more details as the answer to your question is quite tricky. I will be able to answer only after you get back

1. Why are you on hydrocholorothiazide? Are you have hypertensive? Heart disease? etc
2. Do you have any swelling of the feet?
3. Did you get your thyroid function tested?
4. What other medications are you on?

Please get back to me, I am awaiting your reply

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (7 hours later)

I began taking hydrochlorothorizide 10 yrs ago when taking Actos for Type2 diabetes because my ankles became swollen. New dr. forgot to phone in new refill and I was off of water pill for a week at which time my ankles and lower legs became swollen sooo much. So urgent care dr. put me on Lasix at that time it raised my kidney numbers to creatinine 1.9..
2Now again on water pill hydrochlorizide,swelling is gone. And recently my kidney number is back to my base-line. But now sodium is only 127. So he cut my 50 mg pill in half and increased water intake 2 more glasses a day up to 7 glasses.
3. Do not know about thyroid test but about 40 yrs ago had hypothyroidism and drs. destroyed 1/2 of thyroid with a drink! I think it was radio-active??
4. I take insulin, amniodipine,atenelol, Symbicort for asthma, lovostatin,glimmerpride, . occasional hyoscyamine,

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Restrict water intake

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back with the details. Time and again reports and research have indicated that Low sodium causes various side effects and it is one of the leading causes of imbalance and self fall in your age group
This is how you should go about it
1. Continue to take hydrocholorothiazide
2. To improve the sodium I recommend that you restrict water intake. Increasing the water intake will further reduce sodium in the body
3. No need to add extra salt into your diet, restricting water intake in sufficient to increase the sodium. I recommend less than 1.5 lit of water per day
4. Re check sodium values after 4 -7 days

please get your thyroid function test done as soon as possible

Regards

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar