[Aurelius]

When examining my blood work from Monday, Everything was in the normal range except blood chloride. It was 1 point below what was consider normal range for me. All other tests of the complete metabolic panel were well within normal. I have read that overhydration as well as taking diuretics can cause low sodium and chloride numbers. I have not spoke to my doctor yet as the appointment is May 13th, but my initial thought is that I have been drinking too much water and my diet was very poor over a few weeks before and immediately after my gallbladder surgery. I also take HCT which is a diuretic.

Does anyone have any insight into this? I was just a little concerned about kidney issues.

My previous blood work shows roughly the same numbers, they are just 2-3 points lower this time.

Thanks for any insight you can give.

[princesslinda]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about being only 1 point below or above normal...could be a lab variant. If it continues to show abnormal on your next blood work, THEN i'd wonder if there was something going on. Taking HCTZ may certainly cause you to have lower choloride, as it is a diuretic.

Still, I wouldn't worry over much about it if its just a point below normal.

[BrianSCohen]

If you are near normal range, it may simply be a normal variation. Do you drink an large amount of water? I know at times I have suffered form overhydration. If you drink too much water, you will lose electrolytes, sodium, potassium etc at a higher than normal rate. This usually happens in the summer, when I am outside, sweating a lot and drink like two gallons of water. Normally, you would notice this from the cramps.

Some scales have a hydration measurement which is useful for seeing whether you have become dehydrated or are retaining water.

[jerryn]

1 point... heck that's nothing to worry about. lab results are not 100% accurate. it's like +-5% or so. So for the most part you are normal.

[Aurelius]

I sat down and reviewed my water intake AND my calorie/carb intake.

The first week after diagnosis, I was was scared to eat anything so I basically didn't. My wonderful wife finally forced me to eat some foods that she new would be good for me.

I had a dietition volunteer her time and efforts to set up a diet plan for me. It looked wonderful but some foods listed for breakfast didn't work for me nor did the number of carbs. Instead of reducing them, I went on a search for foods with little or no carbs and cut back eating entirely too much. To compensate for the feeling of hunger, I just drank more water. I then had gallbladder surgery 3 weeks after my diagnosis and I really didn't eat anything except for sugar free jello and some sugar free pudding for several days. I think that is what sent me into a mental and physical spiral because I started getting the shakes in the morning. I would eat something small and the shakes would go away for a short time and then come back. By this time my wife was really on my back about not eathing. I slowly started increasing my food intake but never backed off of my water intake. I was drinking about 15 16.9oz bottles of water per day with a very low calorie intake.

I would think that would indeed be my problems.

I am eating a lot more now and reduced my water intake. To my suprise, my numbers still look good. Imagine that!

[Aurelius]

Went to the doctor today and asked about the chloride levels. She said that it is most likely the HCT doing that. I then explained that although I was eating the right foods, I was not getting enough of them. Plus the fact that I was drinking at least 15 16.9oz bottles of water per day really zapped my sodium and chloride levels. She said that would do it too!

My doctor and her assistant were so happy for me in regards to my blood work. My doctor walked in and said, "I would like to congratulate you on being as normal as you could possibly be."

That made me feel really good as I have been a wreck over the past few months trying to get everything under control.

Tomorrow I go to the phsychiatrist to get my mind fixed.

Wish me luck.