Potassium to high but GFR 58

[Tpicard]

Hi

My husband ranges at a GFR of 57-62 but his potassium is usually over 5.3 - 5.7

I’m reading how this is generally in later stages of CKD is this true ?

How’s is it his GFR can be at a 3a range and the potassium at such a high level ?

[orangecity41]

I was diagnosed level 3b and put on renal diet. My potassium got out of range so restricted now. Maybe I was getting too much potassium for kidney to handle? It is within range now.

[Tpicard in reply to orangecity41]

Yah we have been watching his levels in foods for the most part he eats low potassium foods but we must need to control portion size a bit better 1:2 cups of fruit instead of a huge bowl 😬

He needs a nephrologist still.. maybe that would help

[orangecity41 in reply to Tpicard]

Yes and or a good dietitian. My diet has only 1/2 cup servings of fruit and a limit of 5 servings per day.

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Tpicard,

You may find this information useful in answering your questions from the Edinburgh Renal Unit (Edren): edren.org/ren/edren-info/bl...

Best wishes,

MAS Nurse and Moderator

[Tpicard in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Ok thx

[swimchic]

At my last dr appt I asked how my gfr went up, but my potassium went up as well, and although I am at a lower gfr, he said it’s purely diet. So you guys just need to learn about potassium more, and find a good balance, but he will probably still have more freedom than someone further along. Like I don’t eat anything, not even a bite, with more than 6% dv and that has been my sweet spot, keeping me just below 5. He may have to restrict it a little now, but probably just not that much. Hope that helps, restricting potassium is tough. It’s. In. Everything. 😔 Wish you guys the best though! Keeping those numbers and a low protein / low sodium diet will help those kidneys last longer!

[Tpicard]

Ok thank you

[Marvin8]

I'm at a perfect weight and my biggest issue with strict potassium restriction was getting enough calories to keep from losing weight. I loosened up and my potassium is in the middle of the range now. It was never high. I'm at stage 3A based on creatinine alone and stage 2 based on creatinine + cystatin C.