Low Salt in Blood Test

[azafata2]

I have treatment for high blood pressure for years. It has been stable for years and I take medication. I had a recent blood test that says my sodium level mildly low an have to go for another blood test. With high blood pressure I was told to avoid all salt, cooking, crisps, peanuts which I have done. Told not to add salt now too low? Can't win!

Too high and too low can be problematic for health. Most people with too high don't generally manage to reduce it to too low, so sort of well done in achieving what you were trying to do. But you shouldn't ignore too low. The reason I know, is I did the same. I have a supplement, not starting putting salt on everything. It works along with magnesium and B12 which were also low. 3 months after first bloods everything is good with supplements.

It's very unlikely a low sodium on a blood test is due to you not eating enough salt. There are loads of causes which your doctor will need to investigate.

As you have hypertension, are you on a tablet called bendroflumethiazide? That's always causing low sodium.

Some blood pressure medications can cause potassium deficiencies. I am in that same boat, I am drinking sports drinks until I go for my follow up appointment. Don't know if it is raising it but I do feel better, less fatiugued.

Good Morning

Thank you so much for answering. Much appreciated. I take candesarten and nifipidine for my blood pressure. I am not sure if they are the ones that lower potassium or not. The doctor said it was "mild" but am getting another blood test tomorrow. Just hope it is OK. Thanks again.

Candesartan can cause a low sodium on occasion. As above you would usually treat low sodium by looking towards the cause and not by increasing salt in the diet
Often can be caused by medication, omeprazole and similar drugs are a common cause as well .
Can often be normal on repeat test as well

Indeed.

How the body regulates salt concentrations is very complex, but essentially the concentration of salt is a function of how much sodium there is and how much water there is, therefore anything that upsets the balance of either - from input, regulation (including some blood pressure meds) , or output can affect the levels.

Thank you. You guys are brilliant - so knowledgeable!! I was worried as I have never had it before.