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I received a blood test at my doctor's office. He called me back in for a second blood test because the first test showed up low sodium levels in my blood. The second blood test produced the same results. I am returning again in 2 weeks to have a third blood test. Another doctor I see has me on Celexa (citalopram). I read that this medication can cause a rare side effect in some patients called Hyponatremia. What do you think?
Gender: FemaleAge: 57 Already Tried: My doctor who did the blood test suggested I may need to be referred to a kidney specialist. The Celexa prescribed by my other doctor is fairly new. I have been on it about 3 months.
Hello, aside from citalopram do you take any other medication?
How much water/fluid do you drink every day?
Do you have any other medical problems?
Yes. I am on 12 medications. I drink lots of liquids (water, coffee, 1 diet coke a day). I am a type II diabetic but its under good control. My last 3 A1C tests were 5.9, 5.8,5.6. I have mental nervous limitation disorder. I have hypothyroidism, I take blood pressure medicine and cholesterol medicine but they're all under good control.
Having a low sodium is common side effect of many drugs, including citalopram and some diuretics. However it can also occur in a wide number of conditions so you do need some investigations to determine the underlying cause. Your doctor will need to look at serum and urine osmolality to see if he can determine whether there is a link to sodium loss of water excess.
Your doctor may suggest fluid restriction to a set amount per day, but this does need to be managed with someone with experience of hyponatraemia.
Should I discuss this drug side affect with both doctors before undergoing lots of tests?
Yes, you do need to mention the possibility of this being a side effect however you need the tests too. The very minimum in tests requires the urea and electrolytes checked again, serum and urine osmolality, liver function tests and a chest x-ray. Urine should also be checked for protein. All of these tests are non-invasive and should help clarify the underlying cause.
Doctor (MD)
Medical Doctor & Registered Pharmacist. Worked as Community pharmacist for 17 years.