Question 1

is ensure low in potassium?

Accepted Answer

ENSURE: Ensure is not low in potassium. It can overload one with potassium if one has kidney impairment.

Question 2

what causes chronically low blood potassium levels?

Accepted Answer

Few mechanisms: 1. Low intake in food  2. Loss in secretions- urine, gastrointestinal-vomitus and stool, sweat 3.Increased traslocation of k in to the cells in certain conditions eg. Insulin excess, mineralocorticoid( aldosterone - a hormone secreted by adrenal gld.) excess are associated with low potassium.There is a genetically acquired condition called periodic hypokalemic syndrome characterized by low k level.

Question 3

low potassium symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Several: Many-depending on severity, including muscle weakness/cramping, tingling or numbness, nausea or vomiting, abdominal cramping, bloating, constipation
palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly), passing large amounts of urine or feeling very thirsty most of the time, fainting due to low blood pressure
abnormal psychological behavior: depression, psychosis, delirium, confusion, or hallucinations.

Question 4

symptoms of low potassium?

Accepted Answer

Usually none.: One can suspect low potassium by a clinical history or by abnormalities on the ekg but there are usually no symptoms.  People who take Benazepril often run potassium on the higher side of normal.

Question 5

how low of a level is low potassium?

Accepted Answer

Labs vary: Different labs have different thresholds for flagging potasssium as abnormally low. The low range cut off is 3.2-3.5 mmol/l. 

More importantly than the level, is the cause.  See your doctor to confirm there is an explanation.

Question 6

is low potassium always a sign of a malignancy?

Accepted Answer

Hypokalemia: No, low potassium levels might be due to  vomiting, diarrhea, diuretic use or adrenal gland problems.

Question 7

why is potassium low in seizure patients?

Accepted Answer

Not always: Potassium is not always low in person who just had a seizure. If potassium level happens to be very low it can potentially trigger a seizure in an epileptic person.

Question 8

i am 47 years old. is potassium of 3.6 mmol/l too low?

Accepted Answer

Normal: Check out https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/potassium/refrange/ for normal reference of potassium. To determine whether lab results are (ab)normal, always ask for complete results so that you can compare your results w/lab's normal reference range (which can vary depending upon how test was performed).

Question 9

what is the first sign of low potassium?

Accepted Answer

Low potassium: The most common first sign of low potassium is leg cramping. If not treated , it can affect the heart as well.  If any in doubt , see your doctor , get a blood test for potassium level and an office electrocardiogram can easily pick up sign of low potassium.  Then finding out the causes of the potassium is important to prevent it recurrence. Common cuauses are medications, kidney or digestive loss.

Question 10

what are possible symptoms of low potassium?

Accepted Answer

Usually, none: Most hypokalemia (low potassium) is not associated with any symptoms, but may have abnormal heart rhythms, constipation, fatigue, muscle weakness or spasms, and at very low levels, paralysis and death.

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Is ensure low in potassium?

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How low of a level is low potassium?

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Is low potassium always a sign of a malignancy?

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I am 47 years old. is potassium of 3.6 mmol/l too low?

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