Question 1

what can cause high levels of potassium?

Accepted Answer

Hyperkalemia: Because the kidneys are able to excrete potassium well, high potassium level in the blood is rare in patients with normal kidney function.  High blood potassium level can result in patients with reduced kidney function in certain settings (excessive potassium intake, cell/tissue death, or shift of potassium from intracelluar to extracellular compartment).

Question 2

what are the causes of high levels of potassium?

Accepted Answer

INPUT-OUTPUT : High levels of potassium can occur due to increased intake of high potassium containing foods, nutritional supplements etc 2. Changes in acid base balance in the body 3. Decreased excretion of the potassium by the kidneys. Most often, it is a combination of 2 or more causes.Very frequently, kidney is always one of the culprits.If you have this problem, please consult md.

Question 3

what foods will not cause high levels of potassium?

Accepted Answer

See below: Foods low in potassium are apples, grapes, mushrooms, bell peppers and refined grains.  

Some of the high potassium foods are  broccoli, lima beans, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas,  cantaloupe etc.

Question 4

how can i keep my potassium levels from getting too high?

Accepted Answer

Low K diet: Potassium is a chemical element that is needed for many metabolic processes like cellular function in the human body. People with CKD are at risk for developing higher levels of potassium because the damaged kidney can not excrete as much potassium as a normal kidney. Should try to avoid high potassium foods like bananas, tomatoes or orange juice.

Question 5

how will i know if my potassium levels are too low or high?

Accepted Answer

Blood test: High and low blood levels of potassium may actually have similar symptoms e.g. Muscle fatigue or cramps. There is no substitute for blood test. Taking excessive amounts of otc potassium pills for cramps is dangerous since if you have high levels of blood potassium it may be compounded causing heart muscle problems.

Question 6

what are common causes of high potassium levels?

Accepted Answer

Factors: A simplistic way to look at it: 
potassium levels can be high if the dietary intake is high, if the excretion is low (eg. In kidney disease, or in certain states when the kidneys can't excrete potassium well even if the function otherwise is normal like rta), or if potassium shifts from inside the cells to the blood stream.

Question 7

what are some of the symptoms of high potassium levels?

Accepted Answer

None or death: There are no symptoms from high potassium and, if you have normal kidney function, you can't get a high potassium unless you purposefully overdose on medication. When potassium becomes approximately twice the normal concentration, the heart stops.  No warning. Just stops. (potassium is used in executions).

Question 8

what are some of the dangers of high potassium levels in the body?

Accepted Answer

Death: If your kidney function is normal, you can't get a high potassium from diet, only from a purposeful od with medication.  High potassium causes no symptoms, just death. It stops the heart. It's used in executions.

Question 9

help docs! i'm trying to find out what causes high levels of potassium?

Accepted Answer

High potassium level: Causes of high potassium levels are the following:
chronic and acute kidney failure, addison's disease, hemolysis of rbc's, metabolic acidosis, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, the use of ace-i or arb's, excessive ingestion of potassium supplements and muscle destruction.

Question 10

can you elevate your potassium level by eating foods high in potassium?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Eating foods high in potassium will effect the body by increasing the potassium in the blood.

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Can you elevate your potassium level by eating foods high in potassium?

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