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What Causes A Potassium Depletion In The Body?

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Posted on Fri, 15 Jul 2016
Question: Hi this is XXXX XXXXXXX and I have a question: If you have had neck surgery and they used Titanium to fuse with is it possible that you could have problems with your Potassium level? I constantly have that problem since my surgery in 2009 and before the surgery I had never had a potassium problem.
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Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Titanium and Potassium levels

Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon Ms. XXXXXXX and thank you for trusting us with another question here on the network.

In point of fact, the use of titanium for a cervical surgical procedure is not related to any increased losses or other problems related to potassium wasting or any other type of metabolic problem.

Potassium losses typically occur as a result of diuretic use or GI disturbances having to do with poor absorption patterns especially if a person has diarrhea. In other cases potassium can be lost or wasted due to medications (other than diuretics) and in some cases there can actually be potassium buildups which can be virtually as bad as losses.

Now, I am reading that you are on Lasix and Zaroxylyn and both are rather formidable diuretics. This is likely the source of your problem and you need to talk to your doctor about the possibility of using either one or the other but not both necessarily IF YOU ARE HAVING TRUE POTASSIUM LOSSES which are metabolically problematic and causing you disturbances physiologically.

If your question was adequately responded to could you do me the favor of CLOSING THIS QUERY?

I sincerely hope you are able to have a conversation with your doctor soon about making these adjustments so that you might start feeling better quickly.

This query has utilized a total of 10 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2473 Questions

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What Causes A Potassium Depletion In The Body?

Brief Answer: Titanium and Potassium levels Detailed Answer: Good afternoon Ms. XXXXXXX and thank you for trusting us with another question here on the network. In point of fact, the use of titanium for a cervical surgical procedure is not related to any increased losses or other problems related to potassium wasting or any other type of metabolic problem. Potassium losses typically occur as a result of diuretic use or GI disturbances having to do with poor absorption patterns especially if a person has diarrhea. In other cases potassium can be lost or wasted due to medications (other than diuretics) and in some cases there can actually be potassium buildups which can be virtually as bad as losses. Now, I am reading that you are on Lasix and Zaroxylyn and both are rather formidable diuretics. This is likely the source of your problem and you need to talk to your doctor about the possibility of using either one or the other but not both necessarily IF YOU ARE HAVING TRUE POTASSIUM LOSSES which are metabolically problematic and causing you disturbances physiologically. If your question was adequately responded to could you do me the favor of CLOSING THIS QUERY? I sincerely hope you are able to have a conversation with your doctor soon about making these adjustments so that you might start feeling better quickly. This query has utilized a total of 10 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.