Sodium & Electolytes

[evenstill]

For the last few years every time I go to the Dr for blood work and such, while my cholesterol and triglycerides and blood pressure and such are always GREAT my sodium and electrolytes are always low. Now, this is a little surprising since I (A) usually eat a plant based diet, (B) take plenty of high quality supplements, and (C) eat quite a lot of high quality salt (balanced with drinking plenty of filtered water of course). I don’t recall this ever being an issue before I was diagnosed with Diabetes so was wondering if it’s related. It hasn’t caused any major problems as of yet that I know of. Have any of you experienced this (or know somebody that has)? Any ideas about what may be causing it and how to restore balance?

I also have a liver condition called Gilbert's syndrome (Gilbert's syndrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert%27s_syndrome)) which isn’t supposed to cause any real problems but I wonder if it might be related. However, I’ve probably always had the Gilbert's syndrome but as far as I can recall the sodium/electrolyte issue has only been around for the past 3 years (as long as I’ve been a diabetic). Any ideas?

[foxl]

Do you work out? Sweat a lot? Very active people tend to have more dilute sweat ... ? I do not know if that would make a difference in blood electrolytes though.

How are other renal stats?

[evenstill]

I used to work out a lot (3+ hours a day) and have fluctuated up and down until now . . . I’m working a desk job and don’t have much (if any) time to exercise. Of course I do have 4 young children so I get some exercise with them (though I don’t really consider it too strenuous or really much of a work out) and try to spend some time working in the yard on the weekend which gives me a bit of a work out. As far as I can remember all my renal and kidney functions are great, it just seems like my sodium and electrolytes are always low despite the level of exercise.

[AngelKitty]

Hi evenstill, do you experience muscle cramping?

[evenstill]

Yes, I often do experience muscle cramping. I also sometimes feel like a sort of muscle jumping/twitching and occasionally some tingling/prickling sensations.

[AngelKitty]

It sounds as though you need to take some supplements - you may also need potassium - have you told your Endo / GP about the cramping? I don't know about you guys in the States but in Australia we now need a script for potassium (used to be able to buy it over the counter, but overdose of potassium equals heart-attack).
Hope this helps :)