Electrolyte imbalances can happen and be symptomatic even though the laboratory values are normal.
This is Dr. Lam, founder of DrLam.com.
Why do we say that? And the reason is because, in advanced stages of adrenal fatigue, you
will find that there will be sufferers that comes in with normal electrolyte levels, but
they can be sodium depleted. They feel better when they are taking more sodium, for example.
They don't do well, for example, with taking potassium such as eating a banana, and some
of them cannot tolerate food that is high in potassium as well.
So we know, sub-clinically that there's an electrolyte imbalance that is going on. However,
the laboratory tests invariably will be normal. So, what is really going on? We suspect that
in the case of Adrenal Fatigue, especially with sodium, the aldosterone which is the
hormone that regulates sodium in the body can be compromised because aldosterone is
made in the adrenal glands and when the adrenals are in a fatigued state the aldosterone level
can be reduced. When aldosterone is reduced then the sodium retention is reduced and the
body tends to lose sodium and water, and, as a result, the person tends to be dehydrated
and wants to drink a lot of water. When the sodium goes down, the opposing mineral called
potassium will go up, and, therefore, the body will sometimes have tachycardia, as well
as cardiac arrhythmias as well. However, the interesting thing as I said earlier is that
the laboratory continues to appear to be normal.
So, just because the laboratory level is normal, does not mean that one does not have electrolyte
imbalances sub-clinically. Now, recognizing this is very important because this will solve
a lot of the complaints that people have with Adrenal Fatigue when they get to advanced
stages. Now, it does not mean that you do not do a full work up, and normally the family
doctor or the hospital would do it because commonly people would present themselves in
the emergency room dehydrated and then have electrolytes in IV bags and are told to go
home and then after their extensive work up, but they will repeatedly to go to the emergency
room because they continue to have electrolyte imbalances. A little bit of salt can overwhelm
them, a little bit of potassium can also overwhelm them. It seems that their body is in such
a fragile state that they cannot tolerate a small movement in sodium and potassium imbalance
especially.
Now normally, people that are healthy can tolerate an adjusted sodium and potassium
level within a range within the blood. In the case of Adrenal Fatigue, the range is
still within normal, but inside the movement itself, even though small, can cause a lot
of symptoms and that is what is commonly seen in Adrenal Fatigue. We don't have a real good
reason for this now, but we do know that it is related, somehow, to the neurotransmitters
as well as the sympathetic nervous system in addition to the electrolyte imbalances
itself that can trigger a lot of collateral damage along the way. So, do not be surprised
if a person comes in complaining of a sensitivity to electrolytes, either too much or too little,
but their laboratory is normal.
I hope you've enjoyed this video. For more information on this topic, head over to DrLam.com
where I have written over a thousand articles to help educate people. You can also call
me at 626-571-1234 for more information on Adrenal Fatigue and how to navigate it. Finally,
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