Elevated potassium levels?

mnm424

I recently went to have a regular check up and asked the doc to do a full blood test for everything including metals. They called me today and said everything was good except my potassium was high. Has anyone heard of this? I read online that if your sodium goes down your potassium goes up. In the past month or so I have cut down my sodium intake at least by 40%.. I'm hover between 1000-1500 a day. I also usually eat a banana a day or an orange and most of the week I will eat something with spinach in it.

Vune

I had elevated potassium levels when I was on dialysis and didn't follow the recommended restrictions to a T. I'm curious about it occurring in an otherwise healthy individual. What did your doctor say about it?

mnm424

They want me to come in Mon or Tues to re-test.... I had been fasting all morning for the appt and ended up getting my blood drawn and 10:30 (my last meal for they day is 5:30) He also noted my thyroid was little swollen and sent me for an ultrasound and when they got back the results they called saying he wanted to see me for that. I don't go see him until the 13th

takumaku

It is my impression there are many causes of elevated potassium levels. From diet to hormonal and everything in between. I wouldn't try to stress over it. For now, I would suggest trying to relax and meditate. ^_^

mnm424

It is my impression there are many causes of elevated potassium levels. From diet to hormonal and everything in between. I wouldn't try to stress over it. For now, I would suggest trying to relax and meditate. ^_^

I'm trying not stress over it... but I was worred about the whole thyroid thing and now this just has me going nuts...

I do yoga and meditation before bed which helps me refocus and relax... I think I might have to go longer tonight.

mnm424

So I got retested and it came back again elevated. My dr wants me to get it rechecked again in 2 wks.. Does anyone know what this could possibly mean or why it is happening????

bacitracin

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001179.htm

mnm424

Thank you for the link. I eat alot of bananas and I'm obsessed with tomatoes (I eat them like an apple) maybe I won't eat any for the next 2 wks and see if that lowers it.

dlegros

Also, prolonged time between sample draw and analysis can cause pseudohyperkalaemia (falsely elevated potassium).

If the tourniquet was left on too long the same thing can occur.

A difficult draw can cause red cells to get damaged (haemolysis) which will also cause a falsely raised potassium, however most modern labs (at least in the UK) can detect this and usually report the fact.

HTH

mnm424

Also, prolonged time between sample draw and analysis can cause pseudohyperkalaemia (falsely elevated potassium).

If the tourniquet was left on too long the same thing can occur.

A difficult draw can cause red cells to get damaged (haemolysis) which will also cause a falsely raised potassium, however most modern labs (at least in the UK) can detect this and usually report the fact.

HTH

Yes I have also heard this... I'm not sure how long it is taking them to process... The 1st time I went directly to the lab and this last time to my drs offc so I know for sure it was not processed immediately. The normal range is up to 5.3 I believe and mine is coming back 5.4... It's not toxic levels or anything but I'm still worried...