Potassium and levels....range?

[Anuba]

Hi I just checked my potassium levels in my blood results. I noticed that the range is mmol/L 3.5 TO 5.0 and my last two were 6.6 and 5.4. My doc mentioned that one of the results was maybe as urine sample was old but could it be indicative of anything at all? I have Hashimotos. Thanks for any advice.

[Jackie]

Hi Disagree, if too old the Lab puts N/A by them. This is very important as an electrolyte, dangerous to heart and kidneys. What were your other U`s and E kidney function? vital to have Potassium about 4, very dangerous, also if high essential to have magnesium checked too, separate test Also calcium, separate test. All electrolytes.Also closely associated to sodium level, u`s and e`s, salt must be low in range.You need an urgent referral , specialist Cardio or nephrologist. make sure you drink enough water.

if you wish to reply to me, click on reply to this under my reply

Jackie

[Anuba in reply to Jackie]

Really oh okay. My doc has not even mentioned the second result to me. I noticed on my files. First doc said its prob cos my urine sample waited a while before it got to labs. Ill mention it next time I go docs next week. Ill tell you my that results and ranges of the other tests as I not sure what they all are but you may not know no probs. I appreciate your feedback.

Sodium was 141 and the range is 135-145 mol/L

Urea was 4.6 and the range is 2.5 - 7.5

Creatinine was 67 and the range is 65 - 140

Estimated GFR is over 60

Bilirubin is 3 and the range is 0-21

Alkaline Phosphate is 69 and the range is 35 - 130

ALT was 39 and range is 0-50

I had C REATIVE protein checked last year and it was 8 range is 0-10

I will ask to have my magnesium tested I think. Thats if he will do it!

Yeah I need to drink more water....bad for that.

[Jackie in reply to Anuba]

Hi The rest are fine, except sodium a little high under the circumstances. These sodium and Potassium often mean you need more fluid.However, that usually shows in the Urea, which is good. Without a panic, high , even in range or low, even in range for Potassium can cause cardiac arrest, sudden death, or renal failure, if high more often. Coma.Even some Cardios are very ignorant of this. The LFT`s you had done were fine. You definitely need a magnesium and calcium test. if seeing a cardio, electrolytes are their field too and a good Endo knows more about them than any other consultant. otherwise it needs to be a Cardio who is an expert in arrythymias. Magnesium is a tiny range, if too high, that would account for it. Do not take magnesium except in food.Drink a lot in the meantime.Ask GP or Endo not who ever to do a 24 hour urine test, must for potassium and sodium, this is analised at the Lab and shows if the Potassium is being secreted correctly or not. It is available NHS but if your GP not aware, ask them to do a Lab form for the test at Spire, then it costs £50.I do not want to worry you, but if my consultant and I had known all this, I would not be in the positions I am today.

Sorry about the mistakes, I am dyslexic.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[Anuba in reply to Jackie]

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated. Thanks for the advice about the Spire test too. I truly wish you luck with your situation too. I didnt actually notice any mistakes at all by the way

[Parbrook]

I have a relatively high Potassium level and sometime was recalled for a further blood test.

After the blood sample is taken, the level can increase over time and also due to vibration during transportation (journey from GP to hospital lab) so you can get a higher level at the GP than if the blood is taken at the hospital.

The solution at my GP was to send an additional whole blood sample, with a request to the lab to process this if the Potassium level was high in the normal blood sample.

[Anuba in reply to Parbrook]

Yeah my doc said that Potassium can also be elevated if the specimen takes a long while to travel from GP surgery to the laboratory. I think Ill just ask for what your gp did....to figure out if anything to worry about.

So is your Potassium high after he double checked...what is your amount.now and what do they do for it at all? thanks.

[Parbrook in reply to Anuba]

Mine is typically 5 to 5.5, but has sometimes been over 6 at the GP, which used to trigger a phone call and retest.

I also try to limit my potassium intake, for example, no bananas and only boiled/mashed potatoes (no jacket or chips).

[Anuba in reply to Parbrook]

oh I see. I should really watch mine anyway and drink alot more water but gonna get some tests done for a few things. Thanks for you input and goodluck.

[Anuba]

Update.....going in for an early morning cuff free potassium test that will get sent straight to hospital....i will double check this last part. Then we will see.....doctor thinks that it is cos they took ages to get to hospital but this should see whats going on if that didnt make a difference....Ill update.