Low potassium

[Arkiemom]

Has anyone had low potassium? If so, how did it make you feel? I have been feeling unusually dizzy and nauseous. Mine has been 3.0 since I was in the hospital in January. I was given a treatment but it stays 3.0 to 3.5.

[Hidden]

Hi Arkiemom-

I don't know a lot about the role of potassium, but a couple of weeks ago my labs showed ever-so-slightly low levels, i.e. 3.4. My doc's nurse called an wrote a script for potassium supplements, and asked me to return in one week for labs. So I interpreted this to mean that it's important to be at least 3.5. Not sure why.

[Hidden]

Sandra, thanks for the response. Re: dark chocolate, wow, I eat lots of it, nearly every day. As a vegan, it's my only way to get my 'fix'! Not sure why they (over) reacted this way, but thought i'd share...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

p.s. can you fill me in on why you'd be reluctant? My only current objection is the horse-pill nature of it...

[mariootsi]

A banana a day should help! I can't swallow those pills.

[Southside25]

"Potassium is a mineral found in the foods you eat. It's also an electrolyte. Electrolytes conduct electrical impulses throughout the body. They assist in a range of essential body functions, including blood pressure. A low potassium level can make muscles feel weak, cramp, twitch, or even become paralyzed, and abnormal heart rhythms may develop. "

A friend of mine has to take potassium supplements; they are much smaller than they used to be. She has absolutely no problem swallowing them. They are about half the size they were years ago

Bananas have potassium but there are other better sources of potassium: one medium potato with skin has 800mg of potassium. Also avocados (450 mg), sweet potatoes (550mg), watermelon (550mg), coconut water (600mg), white beans (800+mg). I think 8oz. of orange juice has about 500mg.

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

[Godbeforme]

yes, often in my life my potassium has been low and I just take the over the counter one and my symptoms are legs feeling like they're made of concrete, oh so heavy, then I take potassium and the energy comes back into my muscles; very important, potassium and magnesium as our heart is a muscle as well. Hope this helps! God bless you and heal you, amen!

[Becca65]

My potassium is up and down on Ibrance. I know the drs get very worried when it gets too low. Potassium is very needed for basic body systems, such as your heart. So yes I believe it could make you feel lousy in those ways. I have so of those kinds of things going on but am not sure what the cause is.

[Aelgersma]

my potassium was dangerously low when on Xeloda. A ripe banana every nite before bed did help. It helped with bowel movements as well.