Elevated potassium levels?

mnm424
mnm424 Posts: 259 Member
edited January 23 in Food and Nutrition
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.

Replies

  • Vune
    Vune Posts: 675 Member
    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
    mnm424 Posts: 259 Member
    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
    takumaku Posts: 352 Member
    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
    mnm424 Posts: 259 Member
    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
    mnm424 Posts: 259 Member
    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
    bacitracin Posts: 921 Member
    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001179.htm
  • mnm424
    mnm424 Posts: 259 Member
    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
    dlegros Posts: 162 Member
    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
    mnm424 Posts: 259 Member
    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...
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