Question 1

have low potassium, going to dr. to check kidneys, also have hot flashes, red hot face and hands, few times had high blood sugar. possible diabetes?

Accepted Answer

Need for blood test: I trust that you plan to be fasting for your doctor's appointment so that fasting blood sugar may be tested. Though hemoglobin a1c can be tested in non-fasting state. It is not feasible to provide an answer without the lab tests.

Question 2

postoperatively, what are the possible reasons for elevated blood glucose and low potassium levels after the removal of a brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

STEROIDS: Steroids like DEXAMETHASONE are used post op to decrease swelling . Common side effects are elevated glucose And low potassium. D/W your doctor and have labs Monitored and seek treatment if needed.

Question 3

how do high blood sugar cause potassium depletion?

Accepted Answer

Sugar and potassium: Insulin is required for potassium (k) to enter the cells along with glucose (g). If one has high g levels, there is a shortage of effective insulin. K stays in the blood, out of the cells, and it is eliminated in the urine, by an osmotic diuresis due to the high g level. Once g levels are controlled, with insulin, both g and k go into the cells of the body and the osmotic diuresis is  ended.

Question 4

does low potassium affect blood sugar?

Accepted Answer

No effect: Low potassium does not have a direct, significant effect on blood sugar levels.

Question 5

ii eat no more 20 carbs a day. my blood sugars have been in the 50's, 60's & 70's. can low potassium cause low blood sugar readings or my carb intake?

Accepted Answer

It's lack of carbs: Why limit your carbs to 20g daily?  Why are you checking your blood sugars?  As you ought to know if you are doing this experiment, your body will eventually deplete its natural stores of glucose and eventually have impaired gluconeogenesis, leading to ketosis, a state that some seek for extreme weight loss, as fat is mobilized to provide alternative ketone-related energy.  Be careful!  Good luck

Question 6

was diagnosed with hypokalemia after taking florinef (fludrocortisone). same day i had blood work for nt-probnp. could low potassium cause high bnp? mine was high

Accepted Answer

Florinef (fludrocortisone): Florinef (fludrocortisone) causes salt and fluid retention. The fluid retention may cause a rise in bnp. Suggest you discuss result with your md. Lowering of the potassium is a known side effect of Florinef (fludrocortisone) use.

Question 7

i have hypokalemia which is low potassium in my blood should i play soccer today or wait?

Accepted Answer

Low potassium: You would be better off waiting for your potassium (k) levels to rise before you play soccer. The more important question is, why is your k low? Are you on any medications that would lower it, like diuretics? Do you have a low magnesium level? See a physician to get to the cause of your low k level. It is better to prevent a problem than treat it.

Question 8

if the majority of potassium in the body is in red blood cells and very little in serum why is serum potassium level used to diagnose hypokalemia?

Accepted Answer

Potassium: Electrolytes are in balance between intra and extracellular spaces. If the serum potassium is low, then even though intracellular potassium is higher, the total body potassium is down. When serum potassium is too high or too low, serious systemic problems result.

Question 9

grandma lost consciousness because of low potassium and very high blood pressure.. what is wrong with her?

Accepted Answer

Needs evaluation: Fainting needs full work-up and never should be overlooked.  Low potassium can be related to poor potassium intake but often related to diuretic medications for high blood pressure.  Adrenal hormone excess states can cause high blood pressure and low potassium.  Severe low potassium states can lead to arrhythmias.

Question 10

what are the causes of low potassium, high blood pressure and palpitations?

Accepted Answer

Suspect hyperaldo: High blood pressure with low blood potassium levels brings the potential diagnosis of elevated aldosterone level (hyperaldosteronism) as a possibility.

There may be other reasons- for example if you are taking a BP medication that may cause low potassium levels but your BP is still elevated.

This finding requires a proper medical evaluation and lab analysis.

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Doctor answers about:

Low potassium and high blood sugar

A member asked:

Have low potassium, going to dr. to check kidneys, also have hot flashes, red hot face and hands, few times had high blood sugar. possible diabetes?

A member asked:

Postoperatively, what are the possible reasons for elevated blood glucose and low potassium levels after the removal of a brain tumor?

A member asked:

How do high blood sugar cause potassium depletion?

A member asked:

Does low potassium affect blood sugar?

A member asked:

Ii eat no more 20 carbs a day. my blood sugars have been in the 50's, 60's & 70's. can low potassium cause low blood sugar readings or my carb intake?

A member asked:

Was diagnosed with hypokalemia after taking florinef (fludrocortisone). same day i had blood work for nt-probnp. could low potassium cause high bnp? mine was high

A member asked:

I have hypokalemia which is low potassium in my blood should i play soccer today or wait?

A member asked:

If the majority of potassium in the body is in red blood cells and very little in serum why is serum potassium level used to diagnose hypokalemia?

A member asked:

Grandma lost consciousness because of low potassium and very high blood pressure.. what is wrong with her?

A member asked:

What are the causes of low potassium, high blood pressure and palpitations?

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