Can High Potassium Levels Be Caused by Arthritis Medications?

[_andy_]

my doctor ,, rang me today ,, saying i need to do another blood test , because my potassium levels are high .. ive not had this one before ,, anyone else .. ??

it appears that some medications can cause this ..

[Hidden]

may be or have you eaten a lot of bananas?

[_andy_ in reply to Hidden]

ha ha ... i dont eat bananas ,, summer ..

[Hidden]

shame cos that do it>? im afraid itr may be drugs.. hopefully not the enbrel??

[_andy_ in reply to Hidden]

i know .. thats what worrys me :(( ...

[earthwitch]

Yes, there are drugs that can do that. I wouldn't have thought enbrel would be the culprit though?

[earthwitch]

Just a thought - are you taking any supplements? if so, make sure you let your doctor know about them.

[_andy_ in reply to earthwitch]

only supplements im taking is folic acid ,, along with MTX ... .. would you think the culprit could be 7 years of taking anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) daily .. i.e ( Ibuprofen ) even though ive now stopped taking them ..

[Shell1967]

Oh no so sorry to hear this Andy,I'm praying its not enbrel,when r u having next test? Have inboxed you xx

[_andy_]

no i dont think it will be the enbrel .. shell .. its not the first time ive being called back for bloods to be re- taken .. its my new doc ,, he`s keen as mustard .. anything slighty out , he wants it doubled checked .. cant fault him ,,really ... rather him be like that ,, tho .. xx

[Hidden]

Please don't fret too much Andy - sure it will be fine but you should maybe check out which foods, apart from bananas, contain lots of potassium and avoid them for a bit. That might get it down to compensate for the meds? Tilda x

[cazh]

Hi Andy, at my last check up I was told my potassium levels were high. Rheumy nurse didn't seem too concerned - just told me to stop eating bananas and oranges! I'm on MTX and regular anti-inflammatories. Never thought it could be the meds, when I checked high potassium foods it's all the stuff I love. Have tried to cut back a bit, but will wait and see what next bloods show up. Good luck.