Google isn't always your friend.

[paraka]

You know, the internet is a wonderful thing. You can learn so much from it, but sometime, I have to wonder if that's actually helpful. At the moment it just seems to be feeding my hypochondria, and I don't really think of myself as a hypochondriac normally.

I went to the gym today to have a session with my trainer, and she took a bunch of my measurements. One of the measurements was my hydration level. You're supposed to be 60% water, mine was at 101%. I don't know what that means. So now I'm Googling overhydration and reading about brain damage, dysfunctional kidneys and comas. According to Merck you need to drink about 2 gallons of water a day to overhydrate yourself. I know I drink a lot of water, but that's crazy I drink maybe 2 liters but not 2 *gallons*. I don't even add salt to my foods normally. Granted there's an awful lot of sodium in our food as is, but still, I don't add any extra normally.

Now I'm kind of wondering if I should talk to my Dr. about it or if I'm just being paranoid. They say that if it's a build up overtime you may not display any of the main symptoms (like seizures or mood changes), but I *am* anemic, which is a symptom, although I was told the anemia is from a b-12 deficiency, so I'm not sure it's related.

God, *why* did I decide to Google this? I'm feeling *fine* I don't need to invent illnesses. *headdesk*

Comments

[bonniebb.livejournal.com]

If I were you I would not take any measurements about this kind of thing so seriously from your trainer. If it is something that you have a serious concern about, then I would contact your doctor.

How did your trainer take the hydration level?

[paraka]

Well, she didn't tell me it was anything to worry about, but I kind of assumed that that was because she didn't really know what it meant. She put me on one of those scales that measures your weight, body fat and water.
The first time she took the measurement I was at something like 99%, and I just thought that the way it worked was 100% is what you're supposed to be at, but this time she told me that you're actually supposed to be at 60%, so that made me a little worried.

I'll probably forget about it now, I'm a lazy hypochondriac, I just found it weird, and I hope that it's not something wrong.

[bonniebb.livejournal.com]

Ah! Yeah, don't worry about that. Those scales are *not* accurate for anything other than weight (and even that needs to be calibrated to make sure). So I wouldn't worry if I were you.

If you haven't had a physical in a while though, now might be a good time since you are working out and it is always good to be checked out for tip-top shape.

And if you have...woohoo! Keep going. :)

[tacky-tramp.livejournal.com]

It's worth evaluating how your trainer arrived at the measurement first. S/he could be full of shit. :) Also, figuring out what besides sodium could contribute to water retention.

This sounds, though, like something to keep in mind and bring up the next time you're at the doctor anyway, rather than something worth scheduling its own appointment for.

Interesting, at any rate!

[paraka]

Oh it was one of those scales that measures your body fat and stuff. This was the second time she had done it, and the time before I was almost the same. The rest of the information was right (weight), or sounded right (body fat).

And yeah, I think I'll just hold off until the next time I go in. Thanks!