Potassium results

[Jennymiddle]

Hi can anyone help answer a question for me please. I recently had a blood test and my potassium levels are 5.5 so need to re test on Monday, should I be worried at these results. I have also been diagnosed with under active thyroid last yr and since then my results have been all over. It was my liver last time but has now settled down and this time my kidney. It was also 5.5 last December but nothing was done about it.

Thank you

[SN23]

Potassium increase is sometimes linked to medication. Have you added any potassium sparring diuretic, for example? This was so for my son and removing the medication brought it down to normal. Diet is another part of this. Removing/ reducing tomatoes, potatoes, cooked spinach and being generally conscious of high potassium foods has helped him as well. Do not stress, you can, with appropriate advice, control this. Best wishes.

[Jennymiddle in reply to SN23]

Thank you for your reply. I do over worry a lot. When i read about it on the internet i scare myself to death. Im sure i will be ok. Plus when it was 5.5 in december one doctor put normal. But this one wants it re testing. Thats what has confused and worried me i think. Thanks again for your reply.

[SN23 in reply to Jennymiddle]

It is top of the normal range and that may be the reason why he is rechecking it. If medication is not the reason, do check with your doctor/ dietician/ Davita.com for help with diet. And yes you can manage this👍

[Jennymiddle in reply to SN23]

Thank you for your reply and putting my over anxious mind at rest. I have gained a bit of weight due to thyroid. Do you think it could be a weight issue .?

Thank you

[SN23]

Not sure about that. Hope your doctor can answer that and come up with a plan to address this. And yes continue to ask and to be proactive. All the best.

[flippy]

When I had kidney failure I had to cut out foods which are high in potassium like tomatoes. Tomato based sauces. Potatoes and a lot of other veg, I got a. Diet booklet from my clinic. This kept it under control. Hope this helps.

[Jennymiddle in reply to flippy]

Thanks for your reply. I am hoping I don’t have kidney failure and it’s just raised from medication or something to do with my thyroid. Do you know what your levels were when you was diagnosed? I don’t have any symptoms at all but not sure if I should or not.

Thank you

[flippy]

I was around 5.5, but with watching what foods I ate I was under 5, I had a transplant almost 4 years ago. So I don't have to watch what I eat now.

[Jennymiddle in reply to flippy]

Oh my goodness Glad your ok now. Did you have any symptoms ? Mine was 5.5 back in December but nothing was done about it. Then this week it was 5.5 again and now they want to repeat on Monday. Sorry for all the questions I’m just a little worried

Thank you

[lowraind]

Usually, when you have two consistently high test results is when they start looking seriously at the possibility that something is wrong. Worrying will not do any good and, in fact, could do more harm. Once you have the results, you have to accept what the results tell you and then do what you can to prevent things getting worse.

[Jennymiddle in reply to lowraind]

Thank you

[WYOAnne]

Ya, everyone is right saying that a potassium of 5.5 is high/normal. When you have some kidney failure, your kidneys hold on to some bad "stuff" & get rid of some "good" stuff. Do look at your diet. Sometimes even a little potassium laden fruits & vegetables can make a difference. I have had a transplant & my potassium is too low & I get foot & leg cramps. So, I eat more tomatoes and bananas. Go figure.......our kidneys are a lot more complicated than we give them credit for. Good luck with the re-test on Monday!

[newbie1956]

Jennie, i understand your concern. Try not to stress. You might like to check out this link: livestrong.com/article/4141...

[CoolBeaner]

When I was 5.5 I was sick- not normal at all - I used cronometer and measured and Monitored and soon it was and is normal 4 - I eliminated many high potassium foods and did enrmas to eliminate the potassium through the gut Route - now I have added back some things but still limit while being active about getting antioxidants in my diet with veggies - depends a lot on your stage - be diligent and it works

[Hidden in reply to CoolBeaner]

Glad to hear that everything came out all right.

[motolas]

Diet control is correct. Be sure to be hydrated before test. When taking a blood test do not keep your fist clenched during that time. It will increase potassium

[Impregilo]

I had my 6 monthly Urea & Electrolytes tested. My potassium was 5.6. My GP rang me and asked to attend the surgery immediately to see him.

At the surgery he told me to have the test repeated. Also he said take the blood test request to the hospital and wrote on to test immediately.

My previous sample was taken at the surgery and then transported to the hospital for analysis.

He said some times due to delay in transportation and also due to

haemolysis Potassium results could be high.

When I received the repeated results my potassium was 5.3, still at higher end but still lower.

Now I always go to the hospital for my Electrolytes tests.

So repeating the test for Electrolytes if potassium is high is recommended.