pseudohyperkalemia

[Mishie14]

update from recent doctor discussion. She agreed we proved Pseudohyperkalemia. This week’s blood testing adventure again triggered unnecessary attention but perhaps needed attention as the issue of invalid blood samples had to get attention. The first step was again getting a second blood test at the last minute to prove bloodstream potassium is not high so my interferon treatment could proceed. It was going to be witheld! As noted earlier, the hemo clinic did the blood draw using a 20 gauge needle, personally walked the sample to their lab which proved my potassium is well below 5.9. The big lab was not keen on changing their needle size for me thereafter so for the remainder of this month weekly blood draws will be done by the hemo clinic and tested by their lab. It’s now back on me and interferon to lower platelets, reduce the volume of blood cells so that fewer exist to get mashed and release potassium in the draw process. I’m also reviewing everything I eat to see what is making up my potassium intake, take steps to reduce those contributors. I gave up bananas earlier but that’s not the only source. It’s a fine line juggling potassium but one of the few things I have control over. ET continues to be work in process. Stay safe!

[FG251]

Just a thought: my higher (7.5mg) Ramipril dose pushed my potassium up to 5.7. I dropped back to 5mg and it went back down to 5.2. I assume you’ve checked your meds?

[Mishie14 in reply to FG251]

Yes, thank you for raising this good point. My hematologist is focused on data and says frequent blood tests are very important to treating MPN’s until stable. I’m not there yet. I have had weekly cmp and cbc tests done for nearly a year as my reactions to HU and anagrelide were so unpleasant. My liver was under near constant duress from meds and platelet count was bouncing a bit due to switching meds. Landing on Interferon has been a game changer. Liver specialist just signed off all is normal and stable with interferon as of last week. Getting blood work done locally is also fairly easy with several good hospitals and lab services nearby. Getting blood work done with accurate potassium is a bit more effort though I expect that to change once interferon gets a good hold on reducing platelets. stay safe!

[Mishie14 in reply to Mishie14]

thanks to your information I was able to find some references to a connection between chronic low iron and high potassium in bloodstream. I don’t have access to enough sources to dig further for details why and how. Regardless, I am bringing it up in my Wednesday Hemotology session. I was diagnosed with kalemia by a hospital doctor a year ago during an ER event, not by my hematologist. But neither did my hematologist follow up with me nor change it. Will keep pushing for an explanation. Again, thank you for helping me out. Stay safe!

[LIGEBA]

Not sure if this is helpful but my potassium goes high sometimes and I have been told it's a false number due to my extreme iron deficiency (just as I've recently found out the same applies to my elevated A1C). I have also found that one of my dr.s specifically has her tests run on the plasma, while the other dr.s just do it regular. Potassium is much lower when tested on the plasma. The dr. tried to explain why but I was having a rough day so did not retain any of the explanation.

[Mishie14 in reply to LIGEBA]

thank you! This is another new twist to ponder. My blood is also permanently anemic with non platelet blood cells in lower number, shape (not clearly round) and reduced ability to absorb iron due to genetic inheritance of thalassemia minor from my parents’ Western European / Mediterranean heritage. Taking in too much iron is my risk as it may not be absorbed nor expelled, instead accumulating on liver. Iron is also released when red blood cells coagulate or are otherwise smooshed during sample technique issues just as potassium. This iron increase doesn’t show up in my blood sample tests because there is always less iron available in my blood to begin with. I am going to search for info about low iron being a trigger to increased potassium and A1C. The latter has not been out of range in my tests. Glucose is always tested but it is well within normal range. Then there’s my loss of confidence in testing thanks to MPN. The adventure continues . :). Stay safe!