What does it mean when my potassium levels are low??

[HorseLover!!]

Hi, I just had a phone call form my doctor and he said that my potassium levels are low. what does this mean??

 

[nogutsnoglory]

You could be dehydrated and need to replenish. Did your doctors suggest supplementing?

 

[HorseLover!!]

No he never mentioned anything about supplementing

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Are you having a lot of diarrhea, or are you sweating a lot? You could be losing potassium through sweat or from being dehydrated. I tend to have borderline-low potassium, and it drops when I sweat, particularly when I'm at the gym. That causes my feet/toes to cramp up. Are you having any symptoms such as muscle cramping?

I would ask your doctor what your exact numbers were, and if he'd recommend supplementing or just including more potassium in your diet. I know that bananas & sweet potatoes are both fairly high in potassium, and both of those are usually tummy-friendly for most of us too, so you might want to try eating more foods like that. You can also try sports drinks that have electrolytes.

 

[HorseLover!!]

Are you having a lot of diarrhea, or are you sweating a lot? You could be losing potassium through sweat or from being dehydrated. I tend to have borderline-low potassium, and it drops when I sweat, particularly when I'm at the gym. That causes my feet/toes to cramp up. Are you having any symptoms such as muscle cramping?

I would ask your doctor what your exact numbers were, and if he'd recommend supplementing or just including more potassium in your diet. I know that bananas & sweet potatoes are both fairly high in potassium, and both of those are usually tummy-friendly for most of us too, so you might want to try eating more foods like that. You can also try sports drinks that have electrolytes.

My doctor hasn't yet told me what the exact numbers were so I don't know, I am sweating a lot during the night and while I'm working-I work with horses, actually I do get some muscle cramping-my thighs, hips, neck and hands/fingers.
sweat potatoes and bananas both upset my tummy so I do try to avoid them in fact everything I eat is upsetting my tummy at the moment :ybatty:, so basically I'm eating even though it hurts and working through the pain even with everything else that I have going on at the moment. :yfrown:
:yrolleyes: Sorry for the slight rant I just had

 

[nogutsnoglory]

If you do supplement just be aware that too much potassium is dangerous as well. So you will want to monitor your levels.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hyperkalemia/MY00940

 

[SarahD]

Hello again

I've had a lot of issues with low potassium over the last year. It'd be useful to know what your level is, as if it's just borderline normal then you may not need treatment but on the other hand if it's very low then it can be life-threatening. GP's have guidelines on how to treat low potassium. If it reaches a certain level you should be offered a supplement, such as Sando-K, and you should be asked to have an ECG and repeat bloods too. You can see the guidelines here.

For me, my low potassium was caused by taking prednisolone - it's an uncommon side effect. But it can also be caused by a number of things including diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating and malabsorption. Potassium also works alongside calcium and magnesium, and sometimes a deficiency in one of these can be due to a deficiency in another of them.

Best thing would be for you to find out just how low your potassium level is and take things from there. If it's quite low and you don't think you can eat enough potassium rich foods without upsetting your Crohn's then ask your GP to prescribe a potassium supplement. As NGNG mentioned, too much potassium is just as dangerous as too little, so repeat blood tests are advised if you do start supplementing.

 

[RosaleeMae]

My doctor hasn't yet told me what the exact numbers were so I don't know, I am sweating a lot during the night and while I'm working-I work with horses, actually I do get some muscle cramping-my thighs, hips, neck and hands/fingers.
sweat potatoes and bananas both upset my tummy so I do try to avoid them in fact everything I eat is upsetting my tummy at the moment :ybatty:, so basically I'm eating even though it hurts and working through the pain even with everything else that I have going on at the moment. :yfrown:
:yrolleyes: Sorry for the slight rant I just had

I I just wanted to say that my stomach hurts alot too and I make mashed potatoes and just eat them. They have potassium. If your can't tolerate the milk in them, use just margerine or butter if you can eat butter/. Or sometimes I use chicken broth in place of milk and that makes them even taste better. Or you can go to KFC and get some if you don't want to make them yourself.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Sweating, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration and any change in the amount of water in your body can deplete your potassium.

yes, steroids also deplete your calcium and potassium levels. If you are currently on steroids or have been in the recent past, you may want to discuss supplemental options.

When I was on steroids I ate high potassium foods like bananas, kiwis, yogurt, salmon, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes and avocado.

I took calcium supplements during my time on steroids to help counter the calcium deficiency that came with taking that medication.


Talk to your doctor about your levels and discuss what might be good options for you for treating your deficiency.

- Tagging Jennifer -

 

[Axelfl3333]

If your getting cramp try taking your tablets with Indian tonic water minus the gin of course it's got quinine in it helps with cramp and helps the tablets down for some reason.

 

[HorseLover!!]

My levels went from being 4.2 which is low now they are at 6.2 which is to high now what does this mean??

 

[SarahD]

I'm no doctor but 4.2 isn't low - the normal range is approx 3.5 - 5.5, so 4.2 is pretty much spot on what it should be. 6.2 however is on the high side, did you change your diet to include more potassium rich foods, or take any potassium supplements?

 

[deb123]

I low Potassium levels after my Hemi-Colectomy surgery. I felt quite light headed and had a foggy sort of head. I was given some foul fizzy sort of drinks.
The Dr advised me to eat Bananas and DARK Choc - my favourite!!!

 

[HorseLover!!]

I'm no doctor but 4.2 isn't low - the normal range is approx 3.5 - 5.5, so 4.2 is pretty much spot on what it should be. 6.2 however is on the high side, did you change your diet to include more potassium rich foods, or take any potassium supplements?

I have been eating more potassium rich foods but at the moment I don't really feel like eating much, my body reacts strangely to any potassium supplements.

 

[SarahD]

Is your GP doing anything about your high levels, or given you any advice? Potassium is a strange thing, even being a small amount outside of the normal range can be really dangerous. Are you having any symptoms, like irregularities with your heart beat?

If your doctor hasn't given you any further advice I'd suggest making an appointment to see them urgently to discuss this, and in the mean time try to avoid any foods rich in potassium.

 

[HorseLover!!]

Is your GP doing anything about your high levels, or given you any advice? Potassium is a strange thing, even being a small amount outside of the normal range can be really dangerous. Are you having any symptoms, like irregularities with your heart beat?

If your doctor hasn't given you any further advice I'd suggest making an appointment to see them urgently to discuss this, and in the mean time try to avoid any foods rich in potassium.

My GP hasn't done very much about it only more blood tests :ybatty:, my heartbeat has been a bit odd lately but nothing major and I keep getting weird random muscle cramps