Potassium is an electrolyte(mineral salt)important to the functioning of our bodies. People can suffer from insufficient potassium(hypokalemia)or too much potassium(hyperkalemia). Hypokalemia can cause weakness, fatigue, confusion and heart irregularities. This can occur with starvation, excessive sweating or use of laxatives and diuretics.
More common in the kidney patient is high potassium or hyperkalemia. A failing kidney-even in the early stages of kidney disease-can in some cases fail to metabolize minerals properly resulting in a need to restrict dietary intake of potassium. Left untreated, new research suggests, hyperkalemia may cause nerve damage and can cause cardiac instability and even be fatal in extreme cases.
That’s why we take your potassium level so seriously. The first time it is high we may simply repeat it and discuss your diet with you. Often it is one or two high potassium foods that need to be curtailed in order to bring the level down. If following our diet suggestion fails to bring your potassium down(or does not keep it down consistently,) we will refer you to a renal(kidney)dietcian who can more specifically work on your diet with you.
In some cases we will prescribe a medicine which helps to pull potassium from your body in your stool. We do not use this method until diet manipulation has failed as it can produce other side effects such as diarrhea.
We will review your diet with you. It may be possible another doctor gave you a potassium supplement(it has happened!) or you maybe taking a drug that raises the level such as certain blood pressure drugs. We ask that you bring in the OTC drugs and vitamins you take so we can assess them. Salt substitue can also elevate the value if it is made of potassium.
Luckily since 2001 potassium content is required on food labels making it easier to follow the amount you are taking in.
The attached link gives suggestions on foods that are high-moderate-or low in potassium. You can also print out such a list from the main page of our website. For more specific dietary suggestions we reccommend you check with a dietcian who can creat a diet plan for you.
Together-your doctor, nutritionist and YOU-we can conquer your high potassium(or low)problem. We ask that you follow the diet, comply with requests for labs and keep us informed of any new drugs you may be taking-prescribed or otherwise.
