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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Had Malaise And Flu. Done Electrolyte Testing. Low Sodium, ALT And AST. What Could Be Wrong?

I have had general malaise and flu like symptoms persisting. My Dr. did some electrolyte testing (but not a full panel) and my sodium was low at 132 mmol/L but potassium at top of normal range at 5 mmol/L. My red blood cell count was slightly low. My Gamma GT was higher than normal range. ALT and AST were not done. ALP was done and was normal. Do you see any pattern to these results and if I had further bllod work what would you recommend it be?
Tue, 10 Sep 2013
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hi!
Welcome to HCM!
Your sodium levels are slightly decreased while potassium is on higher side of normal this indicates mild electrolyte imbalance.
Although many conditions can have an associated hyponatremia but since your doctor has examined you and you had flu like symptoms so in your case it can be caused by overhydration from drinking too much water or salt depletion.
GGT is raised while ALP is normal here GGT can be elevated by large quantities of alcohol ingestion especially up to 3 or 4 weeks prior to the test if you take alcohol.If you dont take alcohol then complete LFT should be done as elevated serum GGT activity can be found in diseases of the liver, biliary system, and pancreas and in hypertension.
Low RBC count indicates anemia.
hope this will help you!
take care!
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General & Family Physician,  Dr. David Okia's  Response
hi
thanks for your question.
I would recommend PCR,WBC differential count, HIV test.
and hemoglobin level.
Hope I answered your question.
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Have Had Malaise And Flu. Done Electrolyte Testing. Low Sodium, ALT And AST. What Could Be Wrong?

Hi! Welcome to HCM! Your sodium levels are slightly decreased while potassium is on higher side of normal this indicates mild electrolyte imbalance. Although many conditions can have an associated hyponatremia but since your doctor has examined you and you had flu like symptoms so in your case it can be caused by overhydration from drinking too much water or salt depletion. GGT is raised while ALP is normal here GGT can be elevated by large quantities of alcohol ingestion especially up to 3 or 4 weeks prior to the test if you take alcohol.If you dont take alcohol then complete LFT should be done as elevated serum GGT activity can be found in diseases of the liver, biliary system, and pancreas and in hypertension. Low RBC count indicates anemia. hope this will help you! take care!