Hyponatraemia: the importance of obtaining a detailed history and corroborating point-of-care analysis with laboratory testing
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Author(s)
Lim, Su Yin
Bodagh, Neil
Scott, Gregory
Hill, Neil E
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We describe a 67-year-old man admitted from a mental health unit with an incidental finding of hyponatraemia on routine blood tests. Laboratory investigations were in keeping with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). He had been recently commenced on mirtazapine. During his inpatient stay, he became increasingly confused. Review of a previous admission with hyponatraemia raised the possibility of voltage-gated potassium channel antibody-associated limbic encephalitis, although subsequent investigations deemed this unlikely as a cause of hyponatraemia. Although his sodium levels improved with fluid restriction, serial point-of-care testing proved misleading in monitoring the efficacy of treatment as inconsistencies were seen in comparison with laboratory testing. The cause of hyponatraemia may have been medication-induced SIADH and/or polydipsia. This case highlights the importance of collating detailed histories and laboratory blood testing to guide management in cases of hyponatraemia of unknown aetiology.
Date Issued
2019-12-09
Date Acceptance
2019-09-19
Citation
BMJ Case Reports, 2019, 12 (12)
ISSN
1757-790X
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal / Book Title
BMJ Case Reports
Volume
12
Issue
12
Copyright Statement
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Subjects
1103 Clinical Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e229221
Date Publish Online
2019-12-09