Question 1

is a blood potassium of 4.7 high?

Accepted Answer

JUST BARELY: Many potential causes, most of them benign. Sometimes, re checking it is all that's needed.

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

is a blood potassium level of 3.6 too low?

Accepted Answer

Consider diet change: The normal range for blood potassium levels are 3.6 - 5.2 millimoles or meq per liter. A value of 3.6 is on the lower side of the scale, indicating lower potassium levels. I would advise potassium supplementation, eat more bananas, figs, and even green vegetables. Schedule new laboratories in 5-6weeks to monitor levels then proceed according to results.

Question 4

do i need to fast for a potassium blood test?

Accepted Answer

No: Fasting is to check glucose and triglyceride levels.

Question 5

could low blood potassium cause shortness breath?

Accepted Answer

No: Electrolyte abnormalities do not typically cause shortness of breath; sometimes very low calcium levels and low magnesium levels and low phosphate levels can be associated with muscle weakness which could affect the diaphragm causing shortness of breath.  This is uncommon.

Question 6

my blood potassium level was 3.4. is this dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Not usually: Low needs to be supplemented can aggravate effects of some medications. If on diuretic potassium supplementation indicated. Otherwise dietary supplementation ie bananas helpful.

Question 7

what does high potassium levels in the blood indicate?

Accepted Answer

High potassium: Many conditions can cause high potassium levels in the blood.  Among these are: disorders of the adrenal glands,  hemolysis of red blood cells, breakdown of muscles following trauma.

Other causes are chronic kidney disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, or acidosis of any type, use of ace-inhibitors, or angiotensin blockers and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory  agents.

Question 8

are salt levels and potassium levels in the blood related?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and no.: Sodium and potassium are both positive elements that when combined with negative chloride molecules make salts that are both important parts of serum, and potassium in particular an important element in red blood cells (nb: sea water is very similar in composition to our blood).  Abnormalities of potassium (hypo or hyperkalemia) or sodium (hypo/hypernatremia) are very distinct entities.

Question 9

what problems could high potassium levels in the blood cause?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac problems: the most feared and morbid complication is a cardiac arrhythmia which could be fatal. This is usually caused by an acute rise in potassium level. The body may adapt to a slow chronic rise and therefore a treatment plan should be dictated by your doctor who would follow the level closely.

Question 10

what could cause my potassium in my blood test to be a level 8?

Accepted Answer

Potassium of 8: Unless you are a dialysis patient, a potassium (k) of 8 would kill you by stopping your heart from pumping. Most likely, you had a elevated k due to some leaking of k from the intracellular space during the drawing of blood from your vein. This is called "factitious hyperkalemia". Elevated k levels are also seen with increased platelets in your blood or some destruction of rbc's in the test tube.

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Doctor answers about:

Raised potassium in blood

A member asked:

Is a blood potassium of 4.7 high?

A member asked:

What causes chronically low blood potassium levels?

A member asked:

Is a blood potassium level of 3.6 too low?

A member asked:

Do i need to fast for a potassium blood test?

A member asked:

Could low blood potassium cause shortness breath?

A member asked:

My blood potassium level was 3.4. is this dangerous?

A member asked:

What does high potassium levels in the blood indicate?

A member asked:

Are salt levels and potassium levels in the blood related?

A member asked:

What problems could high potassium levels in the blood cause?

A member asked:

What could cause my potassium in my blood test to be a level 8?

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