Question 1

on the average how much should spironolactone increase potassium levels?

Accepted Answer

High potassium level: In the presence of normal kidney function and if you aren't taking other potassium retaining medications, Your serum potassium may only rise 1 or 2 milliequivalents at most which shouldn't be dangerous. This is an extracellular measurement and the intracellular level wouldn't be measured. Consult your physician,who knows your condition best, if you have further concerns.

Question 2

70 year old female taking the green unripe bananas for loose bowel motions. how often she can take that knowing the fact banana increases potassium levels specially the ripe yellow bananas i guess. the green unripe bananas are okay?

Accepted Answer

: Unless you have chronic kidney insufficiency,are not taking potassium supplements or medications that cause potassium retention, I wouldn't be concerned about the potassium load of eating bananas. I'm not aware of the difference between potassium content of ripe vs. unripe bananas.

Question 3

how can i quickly increase my potassium level? levels were at 2.9 yesterday with no symptoms. tonight i my heart has an extra beat.

Accepted Answer

Low potassium: Low potassium can be a life threatening issue!  If you are feeling chest pain or extra beats, it may be worth going to the ER or contacting your family doctor.  Otherwise, potassium can be elevated through diet and potassium supplements.  However its very important to find out why the level is low.  Medicines can do it (diuretics) as can other illnesses (vomiting, diarrhea).   So get it checked!

Question 4

s potassium is 5.54 mmol/l. doc prescribed losartan potassium for htn & ckd. will it further increase s. potassium level? isn't telmisartan better?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Both may increase your potassium.  I would try hydrochlorothiazide if it is for blood pressure.   This will decrease your potassium.   Or, recheck your potassium; it may not be as high as that.

Question 5

does losartan + hydrochlorothiazide combination increase s. potassium level? what might be it's alternative for a dm, htn, ckd & psoriasis patient?

Accepted Answer

Depends on Ckd : Losartan may rise potassium and HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) may lower it. Because of opposing effects potassium may stay stable/ normal. But net effect depends on degree of CKD. Potassium may be higher in advanced CKD.

Question 6

what to do to increase my potassium levels?

Accepted Answer

Prescription only: Over the counter potassium pills are very weak to make a dent in significantly low potassium. Only prescriptions are effective and need to be followed with blood testing to prevent under or overdosing - both are dangerous. Potassium rich diet is also weak. It includes potatoes, tomato sauce/paste, bananas, oranges, and squash. There are meds that make you retain potassium from being lost in urine.

Question 7

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 8

if one is taking 50mg of aldactone per day for hirsutism/pcos.how much potassium from food is too much and can 1 day of eating a high potassium meal cause critical increases in serum potassium levels or is it ok if it's short term or a rare mistake?

Accepted Answer

Normal diet: It is hard to say in your case: no chart/history available. However in general, aldactone prescribed to treat hirsutism/PCOS is given to pts with normally-functioning kidneys. If you have chronic kidney disease or approaching kidney failure, then this medication more likely to cause hyperkalemia. If kidneys are normal and your diet is normal/balanced, no problem. Eating 1-2 bananas/day is ok.

Question 9

why does the serum potassium level increase with diabetes ketoacidosis?

Accepted Answer

High potassium: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) increases potassium (K) levels due to the acidosis (A) seen in DKA. A causes K to leave the cells and go into the blood. As DKA is treated, the A resolves, increasing the pH of the blood, so K goes back into the cells lowering the blood K level.

Question 10

can i raise potassium level too high by eating tomatos?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: If your kidneys are good, you will, excrete extra.
Would take a basketful of tomatoes to affect!
even taking potassium pills, it is slow to raise potassium in the situation of normal kidneys.
Auto regulation mechanisms

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Doctor answers about:

Increase potassium level

A member asked:

On the average how much should spironolactone increase potassium levels?

A member asked:

70 year old female taking the green unripe bananas for loose bowel motions. how often she can take that knowing the fact banana increases potassium levels specially the ripe yellow bananas i guess. the green unripe bananas are okay?

A member asked:

How can i quickly increase my potassium level? levels were at 2.9 yesterday with no symptoms. tonight i my heart has an extra beat.

A member asked:

S potassium is 5.54 mmol/l. doc prescribed losartan potassium for htn & ckd. will it further increase s. potassium level? isn't telmisartan better?

A member asked:

Does losartan + hydrochlorothiazide combination increase s. potassium level? what might be it's alternative for a dm, htn, ckd & psoriasis patient?

A member asked:

What to do to increase my potassium levels?

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:

If one is taking 50mg of aldactone per day for hirsutism/pcos.how much potassium from food is too much and can 1 day of eating a high potassium meal cause critical increases in serum potassium levels or is it ok if it's short term or a rare mistake?

A member asked:

Why does the serum potassium level increase with diabetes ketoacidosis?

A member asked:

Can i raise potassium level too high by eating tomatos?

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