Wellness

[Shelbelle]

Friend of mine just asked me if I had any experience with this, I dont, anyone here have this and what was done about it? Apparently, it can be serious and needs medical attention. She is getting retested next week .  thanks. 

I remember my elderly Mom's level was low and she had to take potassium pills. 

[SilleeMee]

Drink more water.

[ahoymate]

High potassium levels in the blood, also known as hyperkalemia, can be dangerous and can cause serious heart problems. A normal potassium level for adults is between 3.5 and 5.5 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), and levels above 5.5 mmol/L are considered high

[Skyegirl21]

Depending how much higher above normal range (it should say this the bloodwork results),it can be concerning because it can interrupt heart rhythm. Talk to doctor and I think they would say to follow a diet to decrease potassium.... (I am a scientist who works on clinical trials). 

[Shelbelle]

She said it is only a hair above the normal level, so her doc says to retest next week. 

[SilleeMee]

Dehydration can cause electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) to be higher than normal.

I'm a retired med tech, chemistry lab specialist. 

[Kachina624]

I have the opposite problem, not enough potassium.  Tell her not to eat bananas or oranges as the contain a lot.

[Winkk]

My potassium in August was 5.7.  It was discovered by my annual blood test.  It was because of my cholesterol medicine.  The problem is unless you have blood work done you can't know what your levels are.

She should check her diet to make sure she isn't eating a lot of high potassium food.

[Icegoddess]

That would be avocados too.  I love guac. never eat bananas.  

Also shouldn't be drinking electrolyte drinks like Gatorade or adding electrolytes to her drinks.  I'm seeing more and more of that in stores in the form of hydration beverages or powders and so people may think they NEED them when really they don't.  I only use stuff like that when I'm working in the yard.  

[Trinity11]

Normal potassium levels are dependent upon the parameters of the lab. Anything over 6 is concerning.

As a Type 1 diabetic with Stage 4 kidney disease, I had numerous readings of potassium above 6 with low pulse of 36, back pain and dizziness. Once I was called in the middle of the night to go to the nearest ER by the Dr. in the lab. It is that serious. I changed to a renal diet, saw a nephrologist and got my levels down. Also some meds raise potassium. I had to make major adjustments to get it back to normal. 

Have your friend @Shelbelle see a nephrologist if she continues to have difficulty. There are many reasons that potassium can increase but most healthy people have healthy kidneys able to excrete it.