Your thoughts, please

[jodaer]

I'm going in for labs this week. My main concern is high Potassium & proteinuria. I've been watching my protein, somewhat and potassium a lot. Potassium has been dangerously high in the past. I also have edema, it's better but am on a diueretic, so have been watching sodium and cut back on water. In the last couple of days I've added more water back in. What should i do for the next couple of days to help mynumbers.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

I too have high potassium. I am restricted on CKD diet. Davita has a diet tracker and recipes to help track potassium. Perhaps a renal dietitian can help you also.

[RoxanneKidney]

You dont want to "help" your numbers. That is a waste of money. YOu want to do what you always do and get the real numbers, so then you can make adjustments.

[Michael__S]

I might be reading you wrong but changing something in time for a lab test would defeat its purpose as it might hide an ongoing issue that you need to address every single day. So why not do it every single day?

[lowraind in reply to Michael__S]

Amen!

[nascar4433]

I agree...don't change things from your daily routine for your tests. Why would you want to artificially make something better or worse? You'd be handicapping your nephro's ability to treat your actual disease. Unless your dr. has instructed you to limit your water intake, drinking more is helpful in flushing everything out, and keeping your cells well-hydrated. I'm also on a diuretic, but has nothing to do with my water intake. Potassium is a tricky thing...watch your diet closely, read labels. I'm taking a potassium-binder (Lokelma) but still runs high, so diet becomes important. Good luck with your tests.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Never cut down on drinking water. This is something you should be doing everyday! If you want the true values of your labs you should be following the same daily routine. Once you get the results your nephrologist can help you make any needed adjustments

[jodaer in reply to WYOAnne]

I think my doctor said to cut back a bit on the water. This was when he put me on a diuretic for edema. I did a bit, more changing my drinking habits rather than the amount. I tend to stand and drink a full glass of water at a time, so I changed from that to small sips throughout the day.

[jodaer]

Hi, thanks for all the feed back. I mostly agree with you all, but, i seemed to have read a few posts a while back that seemed to indicate ways to "get around" the lab numbers. Glad you've cleared that up, Many thanks.