Question 1

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

Question 2

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 3

can you split 25 mg  spironolactone tablet, film coated. 12.5 mg works good to control my bp and raise my potassium level.any issues or risk splitting?

Accepted Answer

Pill split: in this case it should be fine to split-but make sure your prescriber knows.

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

a cardiologist recommended my 62-year old father to drink 1 sachet of pedialyte daily for orthostatic hypotension. would it increase his serum sodium and potassium level as they are currently normal? is it safe to drink ors on daily basis?

Accepted Answer

: Regulation of serum Na and K is complex and I need lots more data.  Recommend asking Cardiologist in PK. The will know more about what to do there is folks like your grandfather using the resources available there. It will not change blood Na or K.

Question 7

my potassium level was 3.2 so the dr gave me liquid potassium. first time my potassium has ever shown low on bloodwork. electrophysiologist still wont see me any sooner than 2 weeks away. hr was 199 today?

Accepted Answer

: If your heart rate is 199, get someone to take you the nearest emergency department of a hospital. If there is no body to take you, call an ambulance.
Wish you good health!

Question 8

is a potassium level of 4.0 mmol/l low ?

Accepted Answer

It is not: Normal potassium 3.8-5.0 mmol/l in most labs.

Question 9

is having a potassium level of 2.5 dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Not immediatelu: A potassium level of 2.5 is not ideal, but it's not immediately dangerous.  A low potassium level isn't serious until it is less than about 2.0. That said, you need to find out why your potassium level is low, and you need to get it into the normal range.

Question 10

can you suggest how to lower my potassium level?

Accepted Answer

Nephrologist: Potassium balance is tightly regulated by the kidneys, so any potassium disorder implies some derangement in potassium handling. If you have high potassium problems, you must consult nephrologist. 
Please see this website for info on low potassium diet.
http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/potassium.cfm.

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Doctor answers about:

Why wont my potassium level increase

A member asked:

Can i raise potassium level too high by eating tomatos?

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:

Can you split 25 mg spironolactone tablet, film coated. 12.5 mg works good to control my bp and raise my potassium level.any issues or risk splitting?

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:

A cardiologist recommended my 62-year old father to drink 1 sachet of pedialyte daily for orthostatic hypotension. would it increase his serum sodium and potassium level as they are currently normal? is it safe to drink ors on daily basis?

A member asked:

My potassium level was 3.2 so the dr gave me liquid potassium. first time my potassium has ever shown low on bloodwork. electrophysiologist still wont see me any sooner than 2 weeks away. hr was 199 today?

A member asked:

Is a potassium level of 4.0 mmol/l low ?

A member asked:

Is having a potassium level of 2.5 dangerous?

A member asked:

Can you suggest how to lower my potassium level?

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