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Suggest Treatment For High Potassium Levels In Blood

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Posted on Tue, 30 Jun 2015
Question: MY DOCTOR DID BLOOD WORK ON ME LAST WEEK AND JUST CALLED TO TELL ME MY POTASSIUM LEVEL WAS EXTREMELY HIGH .I AM DIABETIC TYPE 2 I AM ABOUT TO GO ON A 7 DAY CRUISE TO ALASKA AND I AM CONCERNED. THE DR IS CALLING ME IN MEDS FOR THIS. WHAT CAN HAPPEN AND WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOULD I LOOK FOR.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Possibile causes of high potassium

Detailed Answer:
Good day,

Noted your concern.
There are several causes of high potassium in a type 2 Diabetes patient

The possibilities are,

1) Lab error: very common and need to repeat the test.

2) Hemolysis of blood sample: This is also a common error. Need to repeat the test.
3) Medicines: Especially certain Blood pressure medicines.
4) Kidney problems.

5) Type 4 Renal Tubular Acidosis

The first 3 possibilities are the commonest causes.

May I know the medicines which you are taking now??
And what is the level of potassium.

High potassium can cause irregular heart beats ( if it is too high)

Regards
Binu
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1439 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For High Potassium Levels In Blood

Brief Answer: Possibile causes of high potassium Detailed Answer: Good day, Noted your concern. There are several causes of high potassium in a type 2 Diabetes patient The possibilities are, 1) Lab error: very common and need to repeat the test. 2) Hemolysis of blood sample: This is also a common error. Need to repeat the test. 3) Medicines: Especially certain Blood pressure medicines. 4) Kidney problems. 5) Type 4 Renal Tubular Acidosis The first 3 possibilities are the commonest causes. May I know the medicines which you are taking now?? And what is the level of potassium. High potassium can cause irregular heart beats ( if it is too high) Regards Binu