Wife is due hip replacement. NHS promised 3-4 years, so trying to go private..
On monday is the op, but Potassium level is low. A second test result is awaited tomorrow. So they won't operate if the P is low. So what is plan B, please?
I am worried about her mental condition if they say no a second time.
Urgent advice please.
I can't offer any help or suggestions as such, but do you know what the reading actually is, and is the reason for the low level known?
Miller’s Anesthesia says “As a rule, all patients undergoing elective surgery should have normal serum potassium levels. However, we do not recommend delaying surgery if the serum potassium level is above 2.8 mEq/L or below 5.9 mEq/L, if the cause of the potassium imbalance is known, and if the patient is in otherwise optimal condition.”
Electrolyte drinks such as dioralyte for diarrhoea and other brands for post exercise recovery are meant to have sensible, easily absorbed quantities of electrolytes of which potassium and sodium seem to be the main two. Without knowing why poatsssium is low (could be an absorption problem) then these might help in the little time left. Maybe cut back on salt (sodium ) so you don’t raise blood pressure. Apparently most potassium comes from vegetables, fruit, seafood, and dairy products while excess sodium is found in processed and restaurant foods so adjust diet for the remaining time. Good luck.
Best is to ask advise of her gp. Is she admitted to the hospital? In that case, fir sure it must be managed by the anesthesiologist. You should ask the nurse, the anesthesiologist, surgeon, or if she's home, the GP.
But at the moment, until she passes the surgery and passesthe post- surgery timeno initiative, leave it to the medical team
Because potassium is a very sensitive mineral with potentially significant medical consequences
Yes, it's happening tomorrow. reading was 33, thanks all
very few short term solutions But long term -- Potassium supplements may help. I buy powder an mix into h2o, to get a decent dose and also eat a potassium rich diet. Very important key for controlling my RLS too. But go slow till you know how it goes. I once OD'd, but caught it in time (Sugar stops a potassium overdose, cold.)
POTASSIUM/RLS STUDY:
Potassium works better for my rls than magnesium, too. I take at least a gram per day. That shouldn’t be a prob, as the rda is 4700 mg and most people get too little.
How much do you take? And how do you recognise the od?
RLS virtually disappeared after three months off Prozac. But my OCD is back and back with a vengeance. What now?
rls I find if you eat a bland diet it helps rls.
RLS linked to a potassium deficiency. I found an electrolyte supplement and my RLS is history! 
Augmentation with DAs in RLS but what about Parkinson's - A question I've pondered...
Advise 
