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A female asked:
Can you fix severe hypokalemia just by eating a lot more potassium?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Tarek Naguibanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 42 years experience
Usually no: The severe hypocalcemia is usually due to severe losses of potassium that exceeds ability of food to replace it. Otc pills are also not enough. Very imp to have lab f/u during replete on to avoid over or under shooting.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A Verified Doctoranswered
46 years experience
Low potassium: Depends upon the reason for low potassium. But yes the remedy includes intake of potassium that at least matches losses. Food potassium varies but is high in citrus, melon, tomato, potato, peaches, apricots, pomegranates, banana, greens, mango, and berries. You can avoid pills.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Cynthia Archer commented
Internal Medicine 21 years experience
I also prefer to eat food that contains the nutrient you need over pills.
Aug 12, 2014
Dr. Cynthia Archeranswered
Internal Medicine 21 years experience
First, why K+ low?: I'd like to understand why you have severe hypokalemia to begin with. Do you have adrenal problems? Medication that causes loss of potassium? That is where I would start, because you can take potassium pills until the cows come home, but if you don't fix the reason for loss that doesn't solve the problem. Also consider that magnesium levels affect potassium. If mag is low you need that to raise K+
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 12, 2014
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