My mom's dealing with congestive heart failure and it's making her retain fluid. She's also diabetic and on insulin and she has her thyroid under control. We've been trying to get help from these well-known endocrinologists and cardiologists, but they're always super busy and don't really spend the time with her that she needs. She's on Lasix for the fluid retention but it's making her really drained and tired all the time. How can she keep up her nutrients considering the diabetes? I'm worried her magnesium and potassium levels are dropping and it's just making things worse. Do you have any advice on how to keep her energy up without causing more fluid buildup? I'm feeling pretty anxious and overwhelmed about all this.

Dr Ranjith Darla

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 3+ Yrs

Consult Now

It's important to address the electrolyte imbalance while managing fluid retention and diabetes in your mom. To help replenish her electrolytes and maintain her energy levels, you can consider supplementing her diet with foods rich in potassium and magnesium. Additionally, you can discuss with her healthcare provider about prescribing a potassium-sparing diuretic like Spironolactone to help with fluid retention without depleting potassium levels. Adequate hydration is also crucial. For potassium supplementation, you can consider prescribing Slow-K (potassium chloride) at a suitable dosage based on her current levels and needs. As for magnesium supplementation, you can recommend Mag-Ox (magnesium oxide) at an appropriate dosage to help maintain her magnesium levels. It's essential to monitor her electrolyte levels regularly and adjust the dosage as needed to prevent further complications. A balanced diet, along with these supplements, can help support her overall health and energy levels.

Answered 04/07/2025