DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 77-year-old man who, about four years ago, was diagnosed with hypertension in the 150/75 range. I was placed on HCTZ and soon after, my levels sodium levels were 117. When that occurred, my physician telephoned me to stop the medicine. Since that time, I have been placed on several different drugs. I developed a cough with ACE inhibitors, so they had to be stopped. I’m now on Diovan 320 mg and Nifedical XL 30 mg. My blood pressure remains under control, but my sodium level remains about 131. While my doctors aren’t concerned about this, I remain very tired and have remained unusually so, since the anti-hypertensives were started. I believe there is a connection.
Please advise me what I can do to increase my sodium levels and/or decrease the constant fatigue.
DEAR READER:
In my opinion your physicians are on the right track with your current medications for blood pressure control. Now, let’s get on to your main concern. Normal sodium levels are in the 136-145 range. In my opinion, your 117-130 sodium levels are not cause for alarm. Having said this, there are several possibilities for being in a low range. An imbalance of the thyroid, pituitary or adrenal hormones in the elderly is common and can cause chronic fatigue. Have you been checked by your primary care physician for possible imbalances? You indicate you are on a diuretic. While it can help correct your hypertension, at the same time it can result in the excretion of too much sodium. This results in hyponatremia, a lower-than-normal sodium level and fatigue. If you sweat profusely because of strenuous exercise, you might lose additional sodium.
Have you had your blood pressure checked on a regular basis? It may be that your medication is working too well and causing fatigue. If you find yourself with “white coat hypertension” (higher-than-normal readings in your physician’s office) you could be treated unnecessarily. Perhaps your blood pressure readings drop at home outside the stress of the office atmosphere.
If you haven’t had complete blood work, ask your physician if he or she feels it is time to do so. Determine if any other testing is appropriate to help get to the bottom of your annoying problem. If you don’t get the satisfaction you feel you need, request a referral to a specialist or to another primary care physician.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Hypertension”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and 2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 440902. Be sure to mention the title.
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