High Potassium on early stages of CKD?

[Ijxyz]

All,

Is high Potassium correlated with later stages of CKD generally? Is it common to experience 5.6+ levels in individuals with GFRs above 60?

Thanks

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi ijxyz and thank you for your post. Potassium is a mineral which helps your nerves and muscles work well. Normally, healthy kidneys will keep the correct amount of potassium in your body. If your kidneys are not working well the potassium level in your blood can be too high or too low.

Normal blood potassium levels for adults are 3.5 to 5.0mmol/l

The amount of potassium your body can tolerate depends on several factors, your body size, the medication you are taking, how well your kidneys are functioning, and, if you are on dialysis how well your dialysis treatment is working..

A dietition will help you make an eating plan that gives you the right amount of potassium. I hope this is helpful to you. Are any other forum members able to help ijxyz, please?

Thank you and best wishes.

[Zazzel in reply to MAS_Nurse]

From your experience, should a person in early stages of CKD with labs of potassium and phosphorus in the mid range of normal, still watch the amount of potassium and phosphate in their diet since so many healthy foods contain them? My doctors have given me no dietary restrictions, but I wonder if any studies show that limiting their intake might slow down progression. Thanks for your insight.