boymommy3 Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 So I was looking at some of my lab reports this morning and noticed that my sodium levels were not low at all. Actually, they are borderline high. 144 and I saw something that said 135-145 was normal.My doc has told me to drink Gatorade and I have noticed a marked difference in how I feel when I do drink it. I have also upped my salt intake. Should I be doing this???Should only POTS patients with low sodium be the ones who are salt loading???If my sodium levels are normal then how can I explain the fact that Gatorade makes me feel better???Also, how important is it for me to keep a check on my sodium levels? How often do others have that checked?Thanks so much! I am trying to piece all this together but it is like the never-ending puzzle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leigh8 Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 My sodium is normal (139) and my doctor told me to still salt load. So I don't think it's just for people with low sodium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alex Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Judging by the numbers you have posted, it looks like you're referring to you blood sodium levels.My understanding is that for POTS, the 24 h urine sodium is the one that should be measured and used for diagnosing purposes.Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volo Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 My blood sodium level was normal, and my 24 hr urine sodium was on the low end of normal. I was advised to increase my sodium intake to get it into the mid to upper range of normal on the 24 hr urine test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boymommy3 Posted January 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 alex74alex, you are right, this is a blood sodium level. Should I ask my doc to do a 24 hr. urine sodium? The only thing right now is that I have been drinking a gatorade and also eating more saltine crackers and chips since the middle of December so I am wondering if that would skew the results since I have upped my intake? Is this something that should be checked often? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alex Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 My dr has me do 24 h urine collections several times a year. You can definitely ask your dr for that to give you an idea as to where you are right now, despite having a higher salt intake. (I was suggested 10 g salt a day at one point but couldn't stomach that, plus the extra salt combined with the florinef made me hypertensive)Best of luck.Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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