Potassium Sodium Hydration Electrolyte Balance

[eazy]

It took a few days but I finally learned about something.

TIL how it is possible to have normal lab markers for potassium and sodium but still be dehydrated.

What brought this on is a question about high hematocrit. My first questions are always about the persons hydration.

I asked how much sodium and potassium they got yesterday in their food log in mg's. They gave me lab values. Which were in range.

A normal blood test result for potassium does not necessarily mean your body is getting enough from your diet. The body works hard to tightly regulate potassium levels in the blood, so a reading in the normal range is a sign that your homeostatic mechanisms are working, not that your intake is sufficient.

Here is an explanation of how your body maintains potassium levels and why you should be cautious about low dietary intake.

How potassium is regulated

Only about 2% of your body's total potassium is in your blood, with the remaining 98% stored inside your cells, especially in muscle and liver tissue. This vast intracellular store acts as a buffer to maintain a steady concentration of potassium in the blood. Even with low dietary intake, your body can pull from these reserves to keep your blood levels normal.

sodium and potassium are in the basic metabolic panel (BMP) to assess kidney health

Serum sodium and potassium levels are important indicators of hydration status, but they must be interpreted alongside other factors

To assess hydration from labs you need an electrolyte panel, it is a blood test that measures the levels of several essential minerals in the body called electrolytes. Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Chloride (Cl), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Phosphate (P).

Sodium, which helps control the amount of fluid in your body. It also helps your nerves and muscles work properly.

Chloride, which also helps control the amount of fluid in your body. In addition, it helps maintain healthy blood volume and blood pressure.

Potassium, which helps your cells, heart, and muscles work properly.

Bicarbonate, which helps maintain your body's acid- base balance (pH). It also plays an important role in moving carbon dioxide through the bloodstream.

Calcium, which helps make and keep your bones and teeth strong.

Magnesium, which helps your muscles, nerves, and heart work properly. It also helps control blood pressure and blood glucose (blood sugar) levels.

Phosphate, which works together with the mineral calcium to build strong bones and teeth.

You get these electrolytes from the foods you eat and the fluids you drink.

The levels of electrolytes in your body can become too low or too high. This can happen when the amount of water in your body changes. The amount of water that you take in should equal the amount you lose. If something upsets this balance, you may have too little water (dehydration) or too much water (overhydration).

 

[genetic freak]

Yep. I went to the ER with arrythmia a few years ago and was told I was dehydrated. I thought there was no way, I was drinking between 2-3 gallons of water a day and peeing every 45=60 minutes all day long. Turns out, I was flushing everything out. I didn't add any more electrolytes. I just cut my water in half. Problem solved.

 

[myosin]

Not a perfect test mind you, but to help keep tabs, or trends and/or monitor signs/symptoms- get some urine dipsticks off amazon and check the Specific Gravity.., for years 10.10 - 10.20 would be normal and its what we still use in the ICU but i also do see 10.05 - 10.30 to be considered normal….
Id suggest 1010-1020 is the “sweet spot”…. If higher than 10.20 you may be dehydrated

 

[CJ Smalls]

Yep. I went to the ER with arrythmia a few years ago and was told I was dehydrated. I thought there was no way, I was drinking between 2-3 gallons of water a day and peeing every 45=60 minutes all day long. Turns out, I was flushing everything out. I didn't add any more electrolytes. I just cut my water in half. Problem solved.

I also learned the hard way, but no ER visit, just cramping during hiking.

Even though I was adding Gatorade powder to my water, it was still an overall hypotonic solution. I was drinking up to 8 liters per hike, and my thirst would never quench, and I'd suffer from occasional cramping.

Once I did a deep dive into electrolytes, a simple addition of extra sodium and potassium to my drinks not only solved my thirst issue, it cut my overall fluid consumption to 1-2 liters per hike, on average

I drank less, was better hydrated, and performed better.

 

[Yano]

I also learned the hard way, but no ER visit, just cramping during hiking.

Even though I was adding Gatorade powder to my water, it was still an overall hypotonic solution. I was drinking up to 8 liters per hike, and my thirst would never quench, and I'd suffer from occasional cramping.

Once I did a deep dive into electrolytes, a simple addition of extra sodium and potassium to my drinks not only solved my thirst issue, it cut my overall fluid consumption to 1-2 liters per hike, on average

I drank less, was better hydrated, and performed better.

I've been doing this since we talked about it over yonder way back. It's brilliant and way cheaper than the "recovery" drinks.

I keep a box of that Body Armor drink around for a huge boost during sick workouts or meet days but @CJ Smalls idea to just add stuff to water or a normal beverage like vitamin water ..works amazingly well I only keep the drink mix around like an emergency credit card.