Hyponatremia

[gizbean]

My sodium levels have been dropping for the past few years. 2003 tests show 135 &133 - 2004 tests show 131 - 2005 tests show 131 & 130 - 2006 tests show 130 & 129. My GP "didn't notice" it until 6 months ago!! He has me seeing an Endocrinologist because I'm diabetic (Excellent control-my HBA1C's are always under 7 and sometimes under 6) and the Endo's tests show high Cortisol. For the past few months I have been dizzy (not room spinning) - like I'm disconnected from my brain and operating via remote control or something on a daily basis and the severity fluctuates from mild to severe (can't drive) from morning to night . The Drs can't find a correlation with any of my meds and when I'm at my worst, I check my blood sugar and blood pressure and both are always perfect. My research shows that dizziness/disorientation is a symptom of low sodium, but the Drs say my sodium level of 129 shouldn't cause that. I can't find any info regarding sodium level at which dizziness begins. Can you advise? - - - Thanks!!

[Dr. Joshua]

A sodium level of 129 should not cause dizziness if the levels have been declining slowly. There are many possible causes for hyponatremia, and in order to determine the cause, a full medical history and a thorough physical examination is needed. In a diabetic, kidney function should be evaluated, because chronic kidney failure could result in hyponatremia.