Question 1

would eating a lot of potassium rich foods the day before lab work increase your potassium levels in blood when they draw your labs?

Accepted Answer

Somewhat: Eating huge amounts of potassium rich foods could increase serum potassium level somewhat but, unless there is kidney failure or the taking of potassium retaining medications, the increase shouldn't bring the serum potassium value into abnormally high levels.

Question 2

does topral xl 50mg raise potassium levels?  i have gotten many different anwsers to this.  i have started its use and it concerns me.  i do have stage 3a ckd with no issues in my blood work but am afraid this might cause a potassium problem?

Accepted Answer

Yes: This drug and its class of Meds seems to raise potassium levels. For,those with renal disease or diabetes, it can lead to elevated potassium levels (hyperkalemia). 
Do,discuss this with your prescriber to determine best options for you.  Good luck

Question 3

is there a blood pressure med that does not raise potassium levels? thank you.

Accepted Answer

Hypertension: Diuretics, calcium blockers, beta blockers.

Question 4

i'm on benicar (olmesartan) 20 mg for hbp. my last blood test for potassium. it was 4.6. what are the chances the benicar (olmesartan) increases it to dangerous levels?

Accepted Answer

Very little danger.: Benicar (olmesartan) is a very good hypertension medication and it should not affect your potassium level.  You do not need to worry if you are on plain benicar (olmesartan).  But if you are on a diuretic with it like benicar (olmesartan)/hct then the diuretic will cause your potassium to be low and you will need to have your potassium levels checked regularly.

Question 5

how quickly is the powdered form of potassium chloride 25meq absorbed into the body? how long does it take to raise blood level of k?

Accepted Answer

KCL powder: KCL powder dissolved in more than 4 OZ of water or juice usually have rapid onset of action, and it is recommended to be taken after a meal.
K supplements should be taken with doctor supervision and recommendations as high K level is also serious to health as low K levels

Question 6

what can you do to raise low blood pressure and low potassium levels at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Fluids: Drink fluids and eat salt and potassium rich foods like dark green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, and bananas. You may need to take a potassium supplement depending on your deficit. If you don't have diarrhea, vomiting, diuretic use, or nasogastric suction, your potassium will correct itself on its own.

Question 7

had 2nd lab test to ck potassium levels in blood and nurse called and said its still elevated at 60.1, is this ok?

Accepted Answer

HIgh Potassium?: You should ask to speak to the physician (p) who ordered to the test to explain your results to you. If you have no chronic kidney disease you should not worry other factors such as a high platelet count or destruction of red blood cells when the blood is placed in the test tube can give falsely elevated k levels. Speak to your p who knows you best for an answer to your question.

Question 8

would taking miralax (polyethylene glycol) and linzess everyday cause low potassium levels in blood?

Accepted Answer

Low K: Linzess is for IBS and Miralax (polyethylene glycol) can cause diarrhea. So yes if a person has diarrhea either due to IBS or due to Miralax (polyethylene glycol) overuse there can be low k. These medications themselves are unlikely to cause low k. Hope this helps.

Question 9

what to do if i have had blood test done for a physical, and my potassium levels are very high. any help?

Accepted Answer

Get it rechecked: It is probably a lab error. It is not uncommon to have this false alarm because  potassium level does not go up if you are well. It usually goes up if your kidney is not functioning. Most of the false alarms are caused by a difficult blood draw which can dmage the red cells which relase potassium into the blood. But it is nothing to worry about..You just need to confirm it.

Question 10

i recently have been experiencing strange health issues, had 2 blood potassium levels that were high. now 5.0 but low sodium 133. been felling unwell

Accepted Answer

HIgh potassium level: You lab results are a bit abnormal. It would be helpful is you could get the results of the bun, creatinine and carbon dioxide levels, as well. Ask the doctor who ordered the blood tests for  you for his explanation of your lab work. He is the best position to answer your questions.

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Doctor answers about:

How to increase potassium levels in blood

A member asked:

Would eating a lot of potassium rich foods the day before lab work increase your potassium levels in blood when they draw your labs?

A member asked:

Does topral xl 50mg raise potassium levels? i have gotten many different anwsers to this. i have started its use and it concerns me. i do have stage 3a ckd with no issues in my blood work but am afraid this might cause a potassium problem?

A member asked:

Is there a blood pressure med that does not raise potassium levels? thank you.

A member asked:

I'm on benicar (olmesartan) 20 mg for hbp. my last blood test for potassium. it was 4.6. what are the chances the benicar (olmesartan) increases it to dangerous levels?

A member asked:

How quickly is the powdered form of potassium chloride 25meq absorbed into the body? how long does it take to raise blood level of k?

A member asked:

What can you do to raise low blood pressure and low potassium levels at the same time?

A member asked:

Had 2nd lab test to ck potassium levels in blood and nurse called and said its still elevated at 60.1, is this ok?

A member asked:

Would taking miralax (polyethylene glycol) and linzess everyday cause low potassium levels in blood?

A member asked:

What to do if i have had blood test done for a physical, and my potassium levels are very high. any help?

A member asked:

I recently have been experiencing strange health issues, had 2 blood potassium levels that were high. now 5.0 but low sodium 133. been felling unwell

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