am a 37 yr old woman on several medications and I am worried about #1 - my kidneys #2 - electrolytes #3 -diet

I am on
Synthroid - hypothyroid
Lisinopril for BP
Thiazide - Diuretic
NSAID - back pain
Modified low carb diet (I have lost 29 lbs)

I have read quite a few things about these meds/diet interfering with calcium, magnesium, and potassium absorbtion, as well as causing kidney damage.

Should I be concerned about this? Should I be taking calcium, magnesium, and/or potassium supplements? What about my kidneys? Is all of this bound to do damage? I drink at least 64 oz of water a day, sometimes more.

Please HELP!!

Chihuahua- The thiazides can indeed trash your electrolytes, especially potassium levels. However, if you are not feeling weakness, exhaustion, dizziness, then you are probably tolerating it well. As for supplements, many doctors suggest potassium supps while on diuretics, but only if your levels are low.... you should check with your doctor first, since you have an ongoing thyroid issue and I'm not conversant with that or whether potassium supps would be contraindicated in your case. I don't know how old you are but most women should be getting 1500 mg of calcium a day (no matter what) for our bones.

You should however, be getting your bloods monitored on a regular basis. When is the last time you had a complete blood test to measure your BUN/Creatinine ratio (kidney function) and electrolytes?

Lisinopril is an effective ACE inhibitor for hypertension. How are your #s? The only thing that is of possible concern, is the fact that often NSAIDs elevate blood pressure and if possible are to be avoided if one is hypertensive. Especially if you take them on a regular basis. And they can affect kidney function if taken daily for years...but again a very simple blood test will indicate very early if you are headed for kidney trouble or if your electrolytes are low.
I would NOT supplement potassium if the values are normal.

How frequently you should be getting your bloods monitored I'm not sure, since I'm not a doc...but it's a question you should ask your physician.

zuzu



[This message has been edited by zuzu8 (edited 09-27-2003).]