Suggest remedy to increase the potassium level
Patient: hELLO: I VE HAD LOW POTASSIUM SHOWN ON BLOOD TESTS FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS - WITH BODY ACHES AND PAINS. i M ON 40 MEQ DAILY AND HAVE TAKEN MY POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENT AFTER THYROID MEDICATION AND THE DOCTOR YESTERDAY TOLD ME TO SWITCH THE DOSAGE TIME AND BE SURE MY STOMACH IS EMPTY WHEN I FIRST TAKE THE POTASSIUM, SAY 2 OR 3 A.M. AND THEN SEVERAL HOURS LATER ABOUT 5 A.M. TAKE THE THYROID MED. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE i CAN DO AFTER ALMOST 8 YEARS OF TRYING TO GET HIGHER THAN 5.2...... Doctor: A 5.2 value is alright as far as potassium is concerned. If you are on medications such as diuretics that may be a cause for low potassium.if you also suffer from high blood pressure called hypertension with low potassium values we have to rule out a condition called hyperaldosteronism. For this you have to get a plasma renin and aldosterone test done. Another cause for low potassium also called hypokalemia is that you may be losing potassium through problems within the kidney. To detect this we do tests such as 24 hour urine volume, urine osmolality, urine sodium, urine potassium and chloride. These tests are done in most laboratories. As your current treatment seems to be quite effective you may continue the same. You must be alert to excessive exhaustion and muscle weakness because they are symptoms of low potassium. A very low potassium can affect the heart so you should vperiodically get the potassium tested. A very high potassium is also dangerous so do not exceed the prescribed medications. From the point of view of dietary modifications, fruits contain potassium especially fruits such as bananas so that's a natural way of getting our daily requirements. However overconsumption of fruits is not recommended if you are diabetic or have any kidney ailments. Should you require more information about your query please feel free to post them here and I would be happy to assist you in acquiring more information. Best regards