|
Post by s84720 on Jan 21, 2009 16:39:59 GMT -5
Is there some mechanism by which the body excretes potassium to keep up with the loss of sodium?
I'm low in aldosterone, and interestingly I had a bloodtest in October that showed me above range in potassium, and then one 1-2 months later that had me low-mid in potassium. Sodium was about the same in both cases.
|
|
Dana
New Member
Posts: 85
|
Post by Dana on Jan 22, 2009 1:40:51 GMT -5
I haven't been able to figure that out. I have several large medical books on Endocrinology (ie Williams Endocrinology, Beckers Endocrinology, Degroots Endocrinology (3 vol set) -these books all total 8500 pages) and can't find the answer there. Many books will say secondaries don't have a problem with aldostosterone. You're welcome, Chris Wow that is really something. Thank you. No wonder I've never been able to find the answer. ;D
|
|
Dana
New Member
Posts: 85
|
Post by Dana on Jan 23, 2009 12:42:25 GMT -5
I have another question. At night I wake up quite often really hot and when I try to move my fingers and legs, I can tell they are very swollen. My fingers usually hurt to move. This only goes down after I've been up for a while.
What could be causing this? Is this just my electrolyte imbalances? Thanks in advance!
|
|
|
Post by Chris Jackson on Jan 25, 2009 16:12:21 GMT -5
Aldosterone is lowest at night, that may be why for you . Try drinking salt water at that time to see if it improves.
You're welcome, Chris
|
|
Dana
New Member
Posts: 85
|
Post by Dana on Jan 27, 2009 17:06:10 GMT -5
TY Chris! I will try that tonight. I may start keeping a journal of salt intake to see if that coincides with my better days. I've never really thought about it before.
To keep all of my history in this same thread, I wanted to update with some new information. Went ahead and ordered another saliva test kit. I'm going to have to wait until next month to get some of these blood tests done since they need timed with my menstrual cycle.
In regards to my cycles, they have been late every month for about 3 months now. They used to be like clockwork, every 28 days. Now it is pushing towards day 31. I'm not sure if this is significant, but I am late again this month. I had a pregnancy test done last month (got a chest x ray for unrelated chest pains), so I know for a fact, I'm not pregnant.
I had a very stressful week. Especially Thursday when I had to meet with an attorney. I totally crashed that day and could barely move or think. I was a total b*tch, very irritable, short tempered and on the attack. A nice 4 hour nap helped me recover, but it took a good 2-3 days to feel back to my "normal" self.
I am eager to have these tests done to see what is really going on.
I didn't want to bump my post to the top, so I'm just editing. Update Jan 30- My cycle finally started after being 5 days late. I can only remember 1 other time it was late and it was the week I went to the ER two summers ago. Now I have to wonder if it is adrenal related since I completely collapsed last Thursday from stress. Update Feb 4- Doctor has agreed to order all blood work. Now I just wait for my cycle. I've had a lot of headaches recently. Update Feb 8- I'm starting to notice some weight gain with no change in diet. I've noticed increased fat near my stomach/legs. I'm still thin to most people, but my husband has noticed and admitted it! haha Fatigue has been a lot worse recently. When I crash, I'm just done. I can't recover from it. Not even a cup of coffee can get me out of it. Update Feb 11-12- My husband and I were blindsided by a terrible flu. I was sweating so much that I have severe dehydration. I feel faint, fast heart rate, dizziness and my vision gets white upon standing. My average BP was 84/60 with an average HR 140. I wanted to take HC, but knew it would completely mess up the saliva test. Lost about 4 pounds of water weight. Update Feb 19-21 All that water weight I lost when sick is back plus some. I gained about 6 pounds in about 3 days time. Yikes...
|
|
|
Post by justaustin on Jan 28, 2009 9:07:17 GMT -5
Hi Dana,
Please keep us posted. I know you will post your labs as they become available with reference ranges. Using this thread is fine. It will be easier for us to track your history,labs and progress.
You inability to deal with stress is classic low cortisol.
Please read your "message" folder.
Good luck, Laurie
|
|
Dana
New Member
Posts: 85
|
Post by Dana on Feb 13, 2009 21:49:55 GMT -5
Hey Laurie, I know you have lots of other messages to respond to, so I'm sorry to bug you. This week I caught the flu and was concerned if this will skew the results of the following tests. I plan on having them done on Thursday the 19th. Free & Total Testosterone Estradiol LH FSH Prolactin IGF-1 GH Progesterone DHEA-S I was also going to do a 24 hour saliva test, but I know that cortisol rises when sick. I'd rather wait a month if there is any chance for these tests to be wrong. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by justaustin on Feb 14, 2009 8:30:25 GMT -5
Dana,
Have you had morning cortisol with morning ACTH? That would be interesting. If possible, have that tested with the above labs.
Cortisol SHOULD increase during times of illness/stress in healthy people. I've seen just the opposite with people like us.
Our son had a morning cortisol level of 8.9 while calm. A little bit later he had a morning cortisol (same lab/time of day) he had a cortisol level of 7.8 and was stressed. The son of my husband's patient had a cortisol level of 14.2 while calm two weeks ago. He had repeat labs last week including cortisol which was less than 10. He was stressed.
If you want to wait until you are feeling "better", that's up to you. I don't think it's necessary to wait a month. Even when you are feeling better, I bet (based on your symptoms) that your results will look like crud.
Your inability to handle stress as you mentioned above, is classic low cortisol. You are just getting by.
Did you ever have your aldo/renin tested yet?
You are welcome, Laurie
|
|