Low blood sodium

Mam was told to eat a few crisps every few days.

I had not taken any salt for over twenty years - ever since I was put on tablets for blood pressure. My sodium level had been gradually going down - I could see this from blood test results. The GP rang me one evening after I had been for a test and told me to put salt on my chips! I now put salt on roast potatoes, chips - not that I have them often, tomatoes and eggs. My sodium level has increased but is still low and just above the lowest level it needs to be. Here in France you get all your results and each test shows your last result and also the scale your result needs to be between. The other thing the doctor told me was to drink plenty of water and to drink some sparkling mineral water as that contain salts.

Suddenly going off anti-depressants carries its own risks. It does not sound as though there is joined-up thinking going on here. Maybe a consultant referral?

Watching one of the TV medical programmes ( GPs Behind Closed Doors ), one of the patients was told that his low sodium level was due to too much alcohol.

I only drink a small glass of wine about once a month if that, and so it's nothing to do with that.......and my GPs are honestly awful , they stick a pin in a book to find me medications and to find me referrals.

If you are not happy swop surgeries

Sodium is salt - you can just start having it on some food. My level is still low but has increased enough to be on the scale now. Maybe you should ask for the scale- highest and lowest figures - and what your result was. - that will give you a better idea.

Welshwife thanks for input. I know all my figures, and the GP has known about it for years, since 2008 which they ignored., it only came up when my sodium dropped down to 126 two years ago,and then they panicked and took me off anti depressants which I had been on for 8 years virtually overnight and for the last two years they have just left me in a dreadful state of anxiety and depression, and I am afraid counselling does not work for me. My sodium went up and now it's down again , it's 130 at the moment, only found out cos I nagged for a test! And yes , I could change GPs but unfortunately they are all awful in this area, and believe me, it isn't just me who thinks that.

That's awful when you are in that situation with a doctor - we were in that position in our last house - previously we had been with a great surgery but moved out of area.

I have low sodium, I have Addisons disease. I was told to drink electrolytes and water with a pinch of salt in it. Also to eat crisps and salted peanuts, and cuppasoup. But I don't know how much that helps/ My sodium stays at 132.

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I watched my salt intake for years because of high bp till my blood test showed low sodium. When I told the GP she said no you don't have to limit it unless advised by your consultant! So I let up a little bit and my level it's now just within the range.

I don’t have specific advice, I can’t take omeprazole as it lowers my sodium, I’ve never been advised to eat more salt, am on one bp tablet. Maybe I should!!

I have low sodium and on blood pressure medication. I take more salt on food than I used to as my sodium is always low, despite having high blood pressure.