CLL and Pseudohyperkalimia?

[NPMK]

Does anyone know about this? My doctor asked me to retake a blood test because my potassium is elevated. I need to get cleared for my other cancer surgery Having a lumpectomy on Thursday if I am cleared. I have been reading that CLL patients can have artificially elevated potassium. Anyone know about this? Thank you!

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

Poor blood draw... as I recall... can raise levels...

[NPMK in reply to Cllcanada]

Okay, thanks!

[Softpretzel77]

Could be elevated by delayed testing or poor draw, might retest as "stat" so they test quicker.

[bkoffman CLL CURE Hero]

Potassium is a predominately an intracellular ion, but it can be released in excess when red cells are lysed and spill their contents into the serum. This can happen with a poor blood draw or blood storage as others are mentioned . Usually it's back to normal with a recheck.

[venk_46]

I also had same problem of high potassium in my blood sample. my doctor told me that this may be a wrong reading and suggested for a re take . I understand that the ruptured cells leak potassium in the sample blood of CLL patients.

The next sample is ok

[Loulou46]

Certain drugs make it look like you have high potassium. They have do a special test to get the right count. I think it's called protein potassium test

[NoClew]

This is something important that all of us should be aware of. An ER doc was preparing to shock me with insulin when the lab reported that my potassium was dangerously high. Luckily I was able to convince them to redraw with special handling before taking drastic measures.

[288kingstreet in reply to NoClew]

After a ruptured apendix I had the opposite, dangerously low potassium and had to throw back a couple of shots on liquid potassium? Asking what I wanted for a chaser as "it was supposed to taste sooo bad" , I answered, it dosn't matter what anything tastes like, I just want to feel better☺ Down the hatch it went, no chasers😊

For whatever the reason for too high or as in the other posts of too low levels of potassium I think we all need to expect an answer from our Doctors - if they care to take the time out to tell us is another question.

💞to and for all.

[sam-sam]

Got a similar phonecall on a Friday, had to rush off to A&E (1.5hr drive) for retest, after 4 hrs wait heard all o.k. it was most likely due to bad transport... This on the day before going on holiday.......

Good luck, Betty.