Experience with Low potassium Anyone?

[Tigerlilly81]

I'm not sure if I should post here but I will give it a try. My mother and I both have hypokalemia. She requires blood tests every 90 days to monitor it. Other than treating the low potassium no investigation has been done.

A little over a year ago I started wasting potassium. Sometimes in a matter of hours I would lose up to .5 mmol/L. Seems like considerable amount in a 12 hour period. Night before last it was 2.5 mmol/L.

I do have kidney pain periodically but nothing has ever shown up in my urine tests.

Whenever my potassium gets low "9 times in 12 months" I have a spike in blood pressure. Mine is usually below normal typically.

Im wondering if a kidney doctor is the way to go here. Everything I read says Kidneys are where potassium is usually lost.

Thank you

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

I read up on hypokalemia and it is no joking matter. I would make sure you see a doctor. Since it can be tough to get into a nephrologist, I would see a regular provider. There are so many reasons to cause hypokalemia. Please go get tested. It looks like the fix once diagnose may be simple like more supplements or higher potassium foods. But talk to your doctor and find out the cause.

healthline.com/health/hypok...

[Tigerlilly81 in reply to Bassetmommer]

My doctor gets all of my test results and has not one time thought to look into why this keeps happening. I have asked him and he just says to eat more potassium ignoring that inadequate potassium intake is very rare.

So I have an appointment with a new doctor on the 27th. I am asking for a referral to a nephrologist and endocrinologist.

[Jayhawker in reply to Tigerlilly81]

Good, so glad to hear that you’re trying a new doctor. I was thinking as I read your initial post that you may need to try another doctor, a fresh set of eyes to look at your case.

Let us know how it goes!

Jayhawker

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Tigerlilly81]

Tigerlilly,

Very smart that you are going to see a new doc. Unbelievable. I hope you report the old doctor to whatever organization they are connected to. You are correct that low potassium is rare. Tell us what happens with the new doc.

[TaffyTwoshoes27 in reply to Tigerlilly81]

You can always report negative experiences with physicians at healthgrades.com so that other people will possible think twice about seeing a doctor that is not up to par.

[Allank in reply to Tigerlilly81]

also glad about the new doctor - you need somebody to take your issues seriously. All mine said about my kidney issues - drink more , cut down or red meat - Good luck and try to also be informed as your health care is a partnership

[Chimama in reply to Tigerlilly81]

Yes I have low potassium and anemia for years had to take supplements. But the worst I remember of potassium in the hospital is they took my IV out before they gave me the injection then wanted me to drink it I sat and cried that stuff is the worst thing I’ve ever had to drink . I’d rather drink a jug of the lemonade flavor contrast iodine !! This has happened twice horrid taste can’t describe it . I think I need a new Doc but don’t even know where to look!! Thanks 😊

[S_dillow]

Definitely.