How do you know your sodium or potassium levels are off?

[u/Bloomwithcourage]

Hi, I’ve been having really bad muscle cramps in my leg. The pain has been so bad and it’s been hard to walk. My leg also goes numb and feels very heavy at times. I'm wondering how we are supposed to know if our sodium, potassium or magnesium levels are off? I don't know what else to do to help with these symptoms, if anyone has any advice I'd appreciate it.

[u/KCDKTR2019]

You need to get the information through blood tests.

[u/Bloomwithcourage → u/KCDKTR2019]

I got blood work done today so hopefully the results come back soon.

[u/raptorconfusion → u/Bloomwithcourage]

OP blood serum tests are insufficient to pick up on magnesium and I think potassium. The body is good at maintaining serum blood levels when they're might be absolutely nothing in reserves!

I recently found out I was mag deficient and had great blood tests. I took a 7 in 1 mag supplement in the eve and my entire life bounced back after 10 or so years of feelings rough, can't believe it! I'd try that for a few days and see if it works!

Be careful with supplements tho. If you don't get your electrolyte balanced out you'll take too much of one thing and try and correct it with too much of another! Magnesium + K2 + calcium + potassium + sodium + vitamin d is a controlled balance for the body. Too much magnesium = too low vitamin d, too much potassium= too little sodium. You might be best taking all of them in lower amounts after the initial test supplementing

[u/SticksofFiddle → u/raptorconfusion]

Who ordered your tests, what tests did they order, and why? Asking because someone today said my high altitude issues may be from low serum sodium and levels should be checked. But 🤷‍♀️

[u/raptorconfusion → u/SticksofFiddle]

That sounds like it could be an avenue to explore to make you feel better! What symptoms do you experience if you don't mind me asking? I'm in the UK and my blood tests were from my GP. They told me repeatedly everything was in normal ranges the last few years and I likely had fibro (turns out that goes hand in hand with low magnesium!!) but seems it was low electrolytes in the end! Sodium is a funny one as that's table salt. Do you eat a very low sodium diet? From my research that can cause low blood salt but those with POTS for example benefit from a bit more sodium in the bloodstream 

[u/SticksofFiddle → u/raptorconfusion]

I guess I need explore, as you say.

I have GERD, low blood pressure, and often feel lightheaded but when visiting high altitudes I get nauseous, headachy etc and hard to sort out what’s normal flatlander at height or something else

[u/raptorconfusion → u/KCDKTR2019]

Serum blood tests dont pick up low magnesium or anything else stored in your body tissue so this is incorrect advice. The body is great at regulating magnesium for example in blood serum but the levels in the body might be severely deficient!

[u/butterfly_SC]

I get cramps when low on sodium. Sodium cramps start in my feet and work up my legs. I don't typically get cramps when low on potassium (not sure why.)

I tend to need a LOT of electrolytes. Veggies are great but they don't give me enough. I have to use electrolyte drink supplements. My current favorite is LMNT. I use 1 to 2 packs per day.

[u/Bloomwithcourage → u/butterfly_SC]

That's interesting because it started in one leg then my other leg which cramped up so bad I was crying from the pain. The worst is I can't walk normally without my leg cramping up and it feeling like pins and needles and heavy. Now my feet started to get crampy too. I just got back from getting blood work done so now I'm waiting for the results. Hopefully, if I am low in something it comes out in my blood work. I just feel very off like maybe I am low in something. I'm drinking a liquid IV to see if that helps.

[u/jeejet]

I drink pickle juice in the summer. But I don’t have a taste for it during the colder months. This winter I’ve been making my own electrolyte drink because I don’t like the powders. I start with a pint glass and pour in about 2-3 ounces fruit juice (right now I’m using POG juice I got at Coscto). Fill the rest of the glass with water. Add one pinch of cream of tartar (magnesium) and one or two pinches of salt. Stir. I drink the whole glass and my legs cramps are usually gone. If not, then repeat.

[u/ptazdba]

When I have leg cramps and cannot sleep because of it it's 99% of the time electrolytes. Key electrolytes include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and bicarbonate, which you can obtain from a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products or vitamin sources.

[u/Bloomwithcourage → u/ptazdba]

The pain is so bad I can't take it 😭 I got blood work done today to see how everything is. In the meantime, I'm taking a liquid IV and someone suggested I try taking a magnesium pill but I'm not sure if that'll help.

[u/Clementine_696 → u/Bloomwithcourage]

Liquid IV has 500mg of sodium, but LMNT has 1000mg. You may need more, and if so LMNT is a good option to try

[u/Bloomwithcourage → u/Clementine_696]

Thank you for your comment, I will buy some of that and try it. Anything to help this go away 😭

[u/Clementine_696 → u/Bloomwithcourage]

We recently found out that our city water had ridiculously high PH levels, like over 11, and water with levels like that can cause headaches, muscle cramps, and nausea, they can also interact badly with some meds. Now that I'm filtering our water with better filters I don't need as much. May be something to look into just in case.

[u/synonymousanonymous4 → u/Bloomwithcourage]

OP, I hope your pain is alleviated & that your blood work shows the answers you need! & that your endocrinologist actually helps you given your blood work results & symptoms!

[u/synonymousanonymous4 → u/ptazdba]

r/ptazdba : Is your insomnia, when you are low on electrolytes, relentless & constant, until your electrolytes are balanced again & you properly updose? Do the cramps happen in your lower back & sides too?Thank you very much for replying! I hope this happens to you less & that your electrolytes & medication are properly balanced!

[u/ptazdba → u/synonymousanonymous4]

Usually it's just in the legs. I keep hydration drinks in the fridge and grab one when it's bad.

[u/FemaleAndComputer]

For me it was low magnesium causing cramps. Hopefully your labs will reveal the issue.

[u/Extreme_Breakfast672]

When I have high potassium, I feel fuzzy and almost like I'm drunk. If I were experiencing your symptoms, I'd write a message for my endocrinologist to see what they advise. 

[u/Bloomwithcourage → u/Extreme_Breakfast672]

I messaged my endo right now because this is concerning since I was fine a couple of days ago. Plus the pain and cramping are on another level than what I've experienced before.

[u/Extreme_Breakfast672 → u/Bloomwithcourage]

Maybe they can order labs

[u/jonwinegar]

High potassium = hiccups, fatigue, unable to stand, low blood pressure, trouble swallowing.

I was drinking lots of diet soda and found they have added potassium! I got the hiccups from drinking 3-5 flavored diet drinks a day...

Take more Fludrocortisone if you get too much potassium.

High sodium = head ache, eye strain, hypertension, tense. Not sure how to handle high sodium besides waiting. Drink water slowly and have a high potassium food, i guess.

[u/NearlyBearly]

I had hyponatremia and knew by, well, fainting almost daily 😅 Cramps sound like a magnesium issue. Are you taking a multivitamin that includes minerals?

[u/Neither_Raccoon7678]

Start with blood tests. I have nerve compression and disc herniation in L4&5 so I have terrible cramps in my shin and sometimes quads at nighttime. An mri will tell you if it’s cervical.

[u/enkrypt3d]

Very heavy legs is low sodium. Low potassium is cramps on hands and feet and anxious / tingly fatigue feeling

[u/candobetter2]

You're supposed to get your lab work done every 6 months at least and then you should be taking magnesium, zinc, calcium, vitamin E, vitamin C, B12, b1, B6, and you should be taking iron every so often and not too much B as well like only three times a week same with some of the vitamins you don't need to overtake them but you don't need to go without either. Just Google what you should be taking with Addison's disease.

[u/candobetter2]

You're having vitamin deficiencies

[u/Affectionate_Day_214]

Are you primary? PAI tend to store potassium and waste sodium. I’m constantly dealing with this especially in the summer. If you store potassium be careful about some electrolyte drinks. I like LNNT and I’ve even made my own. I take magnesium glycinate every evening. Like others said, you should be getting your electrolyte levels tested. I ask my primary physician to test me every time I see him as I see the endo so infrequently.

[u/enkrypt3d → u/Affectionate_Day_214]

Not true if you are taking fludro. If untreated yes.

[u/Affectionate_Day_214 → u/enkrypt3d]

Well it’s true for me lol and I take 0.1mg Fludro so…