Tracy- Any drug that makes you eliminate water from your system also drains your body of salt/sodium. I was on HCTZ at one time also until I got off blood pressure meds (and plan to stay off them!). I had to be careful in the summer because I walk 5 miles every morning outside no matter how how it gets. Diuretics and sweating will cause you to have low sodium no matter what diuretic you take just be cleaning your system of water--the minerals (including sodium) go with it. Through the exercise program and weight loss that goes with it, I got off those meds. See: http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/1517000.html "Sodium Diuretics, including thiazide diuretics, cause increased loss of sodium in the urine. By removing sodium from the body, diuretics also cause water to leave the body. This reduction of body water is the purpose of taking diuretics. Therefore, there is usually no reason to replace lost sodium, although strict limitation of salt intake in combination with the actions of diuretics can sometimes cause excessive sodium depletion. On the other hand, people who restrict sodium intake, and in the process reduce blood pressure, may need to have their dose of diuretics lowered." Joan In a message dated 11/14/2009 1:21:41 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, better_than_good@yahoo.com writes: Joan, My doctor has me on hydroclorothiazide (HCTZ) for high blood pressure. HCTZ does not effect the sodium in our bodies, like other diruretics. Also not needed with it is Potassium. This is what my and my mothers doc's have told us. tracy

Diuretics such as HCTZ also deplete potassium. I was on HCTZ for many years, and initially was advised to eat four banana's a day, which was not easy as I was in Korea, and bananas were rationed at the military commissary. Later, while working outside for the entire summer, my potassium got so low I had to go on potassium pills to bring it back up. I am off both medications now, and I am glad of that. Don in AZ