Is sodium-deficiency possible if child dislikes taste of salt?

[Guest guest]

Is it possible to dislike the taste of salt but still be sodium-deficient? My

understanding is that a sodium-deficiency usually entails salt cravings or a

liking of the taste of salt.

I think that my adrenal-insufficient son probably needs salt (along with the

other electrolytes) but he hates the taste of salt, even sea salt. If he tastes

anything home-made with salt on it (eg meat or other dish) he'll immediately

complain & refuse to eat it. But he will eat salted chips so he's not totally

turned off by the taste of salt with fat. But as a rule, he avoids it in

anything homemade.

On the other hand, my DD who is also adrenal-insufficient, used to eat sea salt

by the tablespoon a couple of years ago when her cravings were at their max and

now she still sprinkles it on all meals.

I've been trying to give my son an electrolyte drink with sodium (dissolved sea

salt) because I think he probably needs it, but he rejects them all. I've

dissolved less than 1/8th tbsp of sea salt in a glass of OJ and he says it

tastes " funny " and won't drink it.

Does his distaste for salt mean that he isn't deficient?

He has many symptoms that *could* be linked to electrolyte imbalances including

leg pains/cramps, occasional headaches & nausea.

Also, can someone remind me what Andy says about high sodium-potassium on the

hair test? Both DD & DS did not meet the counting rules but had sodium &

potassium above the 84% percentile on their hair test. Does this mean they are

wasting both NA & K?

Many thanks,