What questions to ask about potassium levels

[josiebloggs]

Hi, this is all very new to me! I was diagnosed with HF 3 weeks ago and since then things have moved quickly. I'm on medication and having regular blood tests etc. Anyway, the GP receptionist rang me today to let me know my potassium levels are 5.2 when the range is 3.6-5. She said the message was to get my bloods done again in 4 weeks.

I've been reading about what high blood levels of pt means and it looks like there isn't much of a margin between high and serious. I have a telephone appointment with the GP on Wednesday and I can also ring the HF nurse if needs be. What sort of thing should I be asking? Is it ok to just leave this in the hope it settles down in the next month? What do I need to look out for?

Thanks for any pointers

[Lezzers]

Hi Josie, my husband also has HF and his potassium often goes quite high. 5.2 isn't particularly high, I think it's top of the range but still within range. Having more blood tests in a few weeks is the usual thing as often the potassium will come down on its own.

Also, high readings can often be false readings. Transportation of the blood sample, leaving the sample too long before testing or even making a fist when your blood is being taken can give a false high reading, hence why they repeat the bloods.

Just recently my husbands level was 5.9, 6 is usually the cut off point for when it becomes dangerously high, his GP said any higher & she would have hospitalised him. If there was concern you'd be having bloods every week as my husband often has to.

If high potassium is gonna be an issue I would ask your nurse/GP for guidance as quite a lot of healthy foods are quite high in potassium.

Rather than Google anything you might want to check out the patient led charity Pumping Marvellous for accurate and up to date information. If you're on Facebook I would also recommend joining their closed facebook group of the same name, it's a really friendly group full of advice and support for those with HF and their families, carers etc.

Best wishes Lesley

[josiebloggs in reply to Lezzers]

Thanks for the help, will do that x

[Chappychap]

"Rather than Google anything you might want to check out the patient led charity Pumping Marvellous for accurate and up to date information"

Wise words from Lezzers.

Home spun doctoring based on internet gossip, well, that way lies madness!

[josiebloggs in reply to Chappychap]

Thanks x

[Rose54]

Hi

Low potassium ended up with me i hospital Bank holiday

I was having bloods monitored every other day .

Hope thay get your high levels sorted

[gladliz in reply to Rose54]

Had something similar happen to be me a few years ago. Think indapamide and lack of blood testing while taking it were the cause. Was kept in for a couple of days. How did you like the tablets they give you? Apparently I was considered off as I quite liked the taste.😋

[gladliz in reply to gladliz]

That should have read odd. Damn predictive text.!!

[Rose54 in reply to gladliz]

Yes Indapamide was the culprit

And being on long term steroids

Indapamide has been stopped and blood test should be every three months

This is the third time mine has been low

Last year after heart attack and 20 years ago after Gall Bladder op went wrong .

Tablets where much nicer this time around but had to have 2 four times a day