Sodium Losses Through An Ileostomy??

Specialties Gastroenterology

Published

Specializes in Palliative Care, NICU/NNP.

I had a pt with an ileostomy (I don't know where exactly) and her GI doc said she has documented sodium loss and is on salt tabs when she's at home.

A renal doc came in and said that was impossible to lose sodium via an ostomy.

If this is true, would someone please explain to me why this is impossible?

Thanks.

Specializes in acute medical.

Is this patient on dialysis / in renal failure / have a renal impairment? I was just wondering if there would be any relationship between that and sodium loss. I know nothing about renal except basics, so I am just asking...

I would have thought that you would lose sodium via an ileostomy.

Specializes in Palliative Care, NICU/NNP.

The pt didn't have any of those. She had a long history of Crohn's disease and then had the ileostomy within the last several years. She was above 70 years old.

This thread is a prime example of why in another post I said that not enough doctors know how to care for ostomy patients.:banghead:

It sounds like he is confusing it for a colostomy and not an ileostomy.

An ileostomy (especially if a pt has active Crohn's) will lose electrolytes.

Btw, if she is on sodium tabs how is her potassium? Hydration will also need to be monitored.

+ Add a Comment