potassium

[lesbud1]

Hi

does anyone take potassium supplements? I get cramps to my ribs and thought it might be a potassium problem. Thanks

[Hidden]

Don’t supplement with potassium etc unless you’ve had bloods done to confirm any deficiencies it’s much safer to get from your food.Have a banana every day and maybe buy some coconut water these are full of potassium and much safer for you.If these don't help then by all means speak to your gp for further advice.

Best of luck X

[lesbud1 in reply to Hidden]

many thanks

[Nackapan in reply to lesbud1]

Yes I agree.

Potatoes are a good source too . Some use' lo salt. '

Have a word with your doctor.

[Ray1957]

See your dr. for blood tests, quick and simple way to see what’s wrong.

Why do you think you have a potassium problem, have you had problems in the past?

The body has a fine balance of electrolytes..sodium, magnesium and potassium, any one out of whack can cause problems, so just taking potassium with knowing it is the problem could make matters worse.

Good luck, hope you get sorted soon.

[lesbud1 in reply to Ray1957]

many thanks. I have b12 deficiency and inject monthly. I know that this can upset the potassium balance.

[Hidden in reply to lesbud1]

Just supplement via your diet les that’s what I do and I have p.a and inject every other day,there’s no risk that way As ray says it’s a fine balance.best of luck x

[Milley2 in reply to Hidden]

When and how was your pa diagnosed. ?

Recent ?

What symtoms where you having

And why such every other day b12 inject

Is this loading dose ?

Is the consultant at oxfird ?

In uk ?

Thanks x

[Hidden in reply to Milley2]

Lot of questions there Milley2.

P.A diagnosed via testing for MMA then intrinsic factor by private blood tests from medichecks.

Yes recently diagnosed.

Inject every other day as that’s my required frequency to keep neuro symptoms bearable which it does.

Yes as in my profile. And yes Oxford s in U.K.

[Milley2 in reply to Hidden]

My intrinsic was normal

P/cell normal to

Had h pylori which was treated and etradicated now

But left my tummy mild gastritis

So on ppi to try and heal

I b12 monthly at Gp

But pretty sure my h pylori caused my low b12

Not sure if I can absorb naturally from food

As no one has sAid

I wasn’t tested fir h pylori at first

Just the b12

I wasn’t any better

So I insisted on a test h pylori which was abnormal

Glad I did

As I would be going round in circles

I eat all meat etc

All other tests where normal

But taking to much b12 I was literally going mad

As I was worsening when I needed the h pylori resolved as well as it wasn’t letting me absorb b12 from food

So I was kinda stuck

Then read a link ref h pylori

Glad it’s gone but left me mild gastritis

And low b12

Hopefully now with monitoring my levels I can heal with b12 and the tummy issue meds

[Milley2 in reply to Hidden]

MMA ?

All my pa tests where normal

[Hidden in reply to Milley2]

Have a google

[fbirder in reply to lesbud1]

No.

If you have macrocytic anaemia caused by a B12 deficiency then, when you start B12 injections, the body goes into overdrive making new red blood cells. This burst of cell formation can use up potassium. Because the body doesn't have large reserves of spare potassium, levels can be depleted.

However, this is temporary. After a few weeks the rate of red cell formation drops back to normal and potassium levels rise again.

So low potassium caused by B12 injections can only happen if you had macrocytic anaemia and it will only last for a few weeks.

[lesbud1 in reply to fbirder]

thanks. Any idea why I get cramps in my ribs. it is very debilitating and if difficult to breath while it is happening?

[JanD236 in reply to lesbud1]

No but definitely worth talking to your doctor.

[fbirder in reply to lesbud1]

You need to go see a doctor and have blood tests for all electrolytes.

[Tigerlilly81 in reply to fbirder]

This was helpful. I have had idiopathic potassium deficiency for a few years and never knew this.

[Tigerlilly81]

I take potassium and it will trash your GI tract. It can cause gastritis.

[Milley2 in reply to Tigerlilly81]

Do potassium can ruin your tummy ?

And cause gastritis?

[fbirder in reply to Milley2]

"Oral potassium supplements have been associated with oesophageal ulceration, strictures and gastritis. An alternative to potassium salt tablets or solution is dietary modification with potassium rich food stuffs, which has been proven to be a safe and effective method for potassium supplementation."

sciencedirect.com/science/a....