Low sodium.

Is he on any medication? My salt is always low because of a combination of talking BP medication plus having restricted my salt intake all my adult life. It’s drummed into us to reduce salt (especially with high BP) only to be told that no, we don’t need to unless specifically prescribed by a consultant!

When I first had low salt - having been very careful about usage for 30 years the GP rang me up late one evening - here in France - and told me to put more salt on my frites! So I do now use it on eggs, tomatoes and roasties or chips. Here we get detailed blood test results so I keep any eye on it every time I have a test.

Thanks for this BlueSkyHe’s on quite a lot of medication and has been for a long time but oddly doctor stopped couple of the pills this week ( one a Bp), not sure if this is part of the problem, he’s got quite confused in the last few ,months so I’m wondering if that’s all connected too.

Incidentally my old dad used to overload his food with salt and lived to 94. Makes you think ??

Megs36

Thanks for this BlueSkyHe’s on quite a lot of medication and has been for a long time but oddly doctor stopped couple of the pills this week ( one a Bp), not sure if this is part of the problem, he’s got quite confused in the last few ,months so I’m wondering if that’s all connected too.

Incidentally my old dad used to overload his food with salt and lived to 94. Makes you think ??

My FIL used to put a ton of salt on everything including walnuts! He lived to the ripe old age of 95.

Meg and Smurf you’ve got to laugh! Our parents’ generation lived to a ripe old age with salt, sugar, fat etc!

My sister is being investigated for low sodium and has been told not to drink more than one litre of fluids per day , she was also told that increasing her salt intake was useless ! It’s very worrying

Meg36 I do wish that having told there patients they are “low on this or high on that” they would explain possible reasons. Failing that because of resources and time being the problem, why not give a leaflet written in straight forward terms or point us to a reliable source of the relevant info - then we the patients wouldn’t have to send ourselves down rabbit holes and scare ourselves ? silly. I was given to believe that ultra processed foods if eaten on a regular basis was the enemy for most, not a pinch in porridge or a sprinkle on your egg n chips. They should plug that message…. Sugar well that’s a whole other story

Ooh aggie the thought of being told to restrict drinks doesn’t bear thinking about does it.

Yes Megs36 I’ve had low sodium for 6/7 years, it does sometimes teeter at acceptable. After my yearly general old person checkup, with subsequent urine sample as it was low, in March this year, my GP has concluded its just me. It doesn’t explain it, but I seem to be fine, the only vaguely cautionary note was if I ever need medical treatment to tell them. I can’t take omeprazole, or others in that group for reflux as that lowers sodium (includes otc Nexium).

Jaxjacky is that known as a pip. -or protein pump inhibitor ?

meant ppi and not pip ?

I had a thorough blood check after balance problems, falls and several episodes of mental confusion. Result - I have low BP and low sodium.
Like others I've always avoided salt.
Taking tablets always seems to be trial and error. Dr. took me off the BP tablets, never said anything about the salt. BP now within normal limits.
As for balance, can't say it's any better. I'm 85 so tend to put all problems down to old age

Graamarderby10 yes, I now take famotidine which is an H2 blocker.

Had kidney problems as a child and was told to restrict salt intake.
But in later life, too little salt caused cramps.
The body needs about 2 litres of water each day. Too little can cause damage to various organs.
DP collapsed one hot day and ended up in hospital through becoming dehydrated!. As did my DM, once.
We all know hat the body does with any excess fluid, it excretes it, which is good for the kidneys to perform their natural function.
The body needs sodium, (Salt is the easiest source) and sufficient water to function properly without damage.
Have a thorough discussion with your GP, even better if you can get a face to face appointment

When my sodium reading dropped to 20 the doctor took it very seriously. Took me off a couple of tablets . Had an infusion. Reading now teeters on border line. Also eat more salt after years of eating very little.
Felt very unwell at time. Then had Rheumatoid flare up and then racing heart. All in a period of six months.
Different pills and now feel a lot better. Hope it carries on ok.

Thanks all, interestingly he has been very confused in as I mentionedthe last few months* Fennel*, doc rang last evening with some results already, sodium down slightly. Maybe due to stopped medication,also she said add a little more salt to food ??…..Another blood test next week so ?? .We too are in our eighties and don’t get about much now, so hope for the best..