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Can Sodium Level Be Detected Through A Blood Test?
Question: Hi I have a question
My wife who is an epileptic has been taking Tegretol for 5 years and recently has been adding a drug called Vimpat to it. Unfortunately the drug Vimpat has made her dizzy and the side effects have become to much to handle. Her specialist is now taking her off of Vimpat.
The main complaint she has been experiencing is low sodium levels. We have been told that Tegretol is the culprit but Vimpat is adding that extra punch to bring her levels down. Unfortunately this has led to a few trips to the hospital and even a 911 call because of seizures that resulted.
I have recently discovered electrolyte behind the counter at london drugs. It was a good discovery that brought her sodium up to 135 from 122 in 2.5 days. The problem I have is trying to guess her sodium levels at home to know if she should maintain any kind of sodium intake hence the electrolyte from london drugs. Today I have the idea of PH litmus paper to hopefully determine if her sodium is at acceptible limits. Am I in the ball park here or what? I'm fustrated because the doctors and the specialist haven't recommended anything much more than a blood test to determine what here sodium levels are. I have no way of guessing at home considering I have already woke up to my wife having a seizure in the middle of the night. Could you recommend anything.
My wife who is an epileptic has been taking Tegretol for 5 years and recently has been adding a drug called Vimpat to it. Unfortunately the drug Vimpat has made her dizzy and the side effects have become to much to handle. Her specialist is now taking her off of Vimpat.
The main complaint she has been experiencing is low sodium levels. We have been told that Tegretol is the culprit but Vimpat is adding that extra punch to bring her levels down. Unfortunately this has led to a few trips to the hospital and even a 911 call because of seizures that resulted.
I have recently discovered electrolyte behind the counter at london drugs. It was a good discovery that brought her sodium up to 135 from 122 in 2.5 days. The problem I have is trying to guess her sodium levels at home to know if she should maintain any kind of sodium intake hence the electrolyte from london drugs. Today I have the idea of PH litmus paper to hopefully determine if her sodium is at acceptible limits. Am I in the ball park here or what? I'm fustrated because the doctors and the specialist haven't recommended anything much more than a blood test to determine what here sodium levels are. I have no way of guessing at home considering I have already woke up to my wife having a seizure in the middle of the night. Could you recommend anything.
Brief Answer:
There is no alternative test.
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxx,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
I am afraid to say that there is no alternative test which can detect sodium levels in blood.
That's the way it goes.Quantitative estimations can't be done without serum.
If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
There is no alternative test.
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxx,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
I am afraid to say that there is no alternative test which can detect sodium levels in blood.
That's the way it goes.Quantitative estimations can't be done without serum.
If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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