Low Sodium, Liver Scan

[april1693]

Brielfy - 80 year old active relative, life time tee- totaller, underactive thyroid for 15 years and on thyroxin 125, has had borderline sodium reading for 5-10 years but now classed as low. Gp has referred to medical consultant and for a scan of liver. Any suggestions as to what might be diagnosed/discovered would be greatly appreciated, patient is very concerned and convinced they have cancer, not eating due to anxiety all this is causing. Many thanks in advance x

[Sqad]

Bit of a mystery.......underactive thyroid CAN give low sodium levels, but as she is being treated, then that would not be the cause.

Malignant disease is a very rank outsider, but needs to be considered.

Sorry can't help but would be interested in the results.

[april1693]

Thanks Sqad, swift response as ever! It is a bit of a mystery! She's really gone of her food and isn't sleeping now and she's convinced that this all ties in with a "blockage" she convinced she has, however I think it's more anxiety than anything that's causing these symptoms. She keeps telling me "there's something wrong with me" but is as busy and active as ever.

[penelope2]

Cirrhosis of the liver is one of the causes of hyponatraemia, maybe thats why your relative has been refered for a live scan.

[Sqad]

Well, when one hears the words "I feel that there is something wrong with me", that has to be taken seriously, as they are so often right.

Keep me informed.

[Sqad]

pene...."lifetime tea-totaller"

[penelope2]

Squad, 'life time tee-totaller', yes I did pick that up, but aren't there other causes of Cirrhosis i.e Hepatitis?

[Sqad]

pene....LOL.....as soon as i typed my reply to you, i wondered how long it would be before you "jumped on me"....;-)

You are quite correct, in that there are other cause of cirrhosis other than chronic alcohol abuse.

[penelope2]

Hi Squad..."jumped on me".. never!!! I always follow your responses with interest.

[april1693]

God now you really have ME worried!

[Sqad]

april...settle down and trust me and pene (well pene anyway ;-)

Take it in a common sense way:

80 years old.........active.......well controlled underactive thyroid..........borderline sodium for 5-10 years (so whatever is causing this, cannot be too life threatening).............science v. common sense.

I would go for the latter.

My month's pension goes on the liver scan showing only a fatty liver (age related) and no serious disorder.

[april1693]

That's what I suspect too Sqad, just a wee bit concerned that she's actually MAKING herself I'll with worry. The scan is next week so I'll keep you posted, Thanks again for your reassurances Sqad xx