Low sodium diet

As my stats below indicate, I have several health issues. I am midway through combination chemotherapy and I seem to be handling the meds pretty good. My primary question is about my blood pressure. I had my right kidney removed in February and a lymphoma was discovered during pathology tests. I began chemo 2/29 and there was a spike in my BP. My primary care physician wanted me to immediatly begin drugs for hypertension. The oncologist said that it was not unusual for slightly elevated BP during chemo. I went for another opinion and sought the advice of a nephrologist. He said High BP with only one kidney is a concern but agreed that chemo could be the cause. As an interim measure, he recommended a low sodium diet.

QUESTION: What is the recommended sodium intake for a low sodium diet?

57yo male
5'10"
195lbs
BP range 120/80 to 154/90 (since 2/29/2008)
renal cell carcinoma (radical rt nephrectomy 2/5/2008)
large b-cell intravascular lymphomatosis
chronic HCV
celiac sprue

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Based on the DASH diet, sodium or salt intake should be limited to 2000 mg/day .Two thousand milligram is about 1 teaspoon of table salt .

Were you able to have your glomerular filtration rate or GFR computed? Also was serum BUN and creatinine levels determined?

For patients with kidney disease , the sodium intake may range from 1000 to 3000 mg/day but should be customized based on the patient's weight and blood pressure. You may discuss these with your physician, since dietary needs are very much personalized. Your physician knows about your requirements and may refer you to a nutritionist to have a dietary plan made just for you.