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What Do High Potassium Levels In Blood When On Norco Indicate?
Question: I am 41, femaie. I am a chronic pain patient. I have been on Norco for about 2 years at 3 to 4 a day 10/325. In January 2015, my dosage was increase to 5 to 7 a day. I have always had normal blood levels until today. My blood panel came back normal except for my potassium which is at 5.6 and it should be no higher than 5.0.
I am very, very upset. My doctor wants to wait 2 weeks to do another test. But if it's the norco causing it than I want to be off of it immediately. If it is the cause, and I do have kidney problems, are they permanent. I know you can't be specific, but if you could please give me some general info, I would appreciate it.
I am very, very upset. My doctor wants to wait 2 weeks to do another test. But if it's the norco causing it than I want to be off of it immediately. If it is the cause, and I do have kidney problems, are they permanent. I know you can't be specific, but if you could please give me some general info, I would appreciate it.
Brief Answer:
This drug may rarely harm the kidneys
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
a high potassium level may be 'normal' sometimes. For example if the blood drawing procedure was laborious enough, then some red blood cells may have ruptured and caused an elevation in potassium levels. The drug ingredients do not normally cause an elevation.
There are some rare case of renal damage by the drug (mostly from paracetamol) but I don't believe that the chances are high enough to consider. I'm almost convinced that a repeat measurement would give a more 'normal' result. A urinalysis might help exclude most renal causes.
Do you take any other drugs? Your medical history? Any symptoms?
I hope I've helped!
Contact me again, if you'd like, for more information or any clarifications you might need.
Kind Regards!
This drug may rarely harm the kidneys
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
a high potassium level may be 'normal' sometimes. For example if the blood drawing procedure was laborious enough, then some red blood cells may have ruptured and caused an elevation in potassium levels. The drug ingredients do not normally cause an elevation.
There are some rare case of renal damage by the drug (mostly from paracetamol) but I don't believe that the chances are high enough to consider. I'm almost convinced that a repeat measurement would give a more 'normal' result. A urinalysis might help exclude most renal causes.
Do you take any other drugs? Your medical history? Any symptoms?
I hope I've helped!
Contact me again, if you'd like, for more information or any clarifications you might need.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Again.
I do not take any other medications. Beyond having a serious back problem, I've always had very good health. I get my blood checked every 3 to 5 months - never had an issue until now. If I did have a kidney issue, wouldn't there be something else in my lab work showing problems?
I am not overweight - quite thin actually and I get a decent amount of exercise.
What type of symptoms might you be looking for? I've had a bit of diarrhea the last week or two but that's about it - I attributed that to the major stress I have been under with a very ill family member and work related projects.
I guess I would like to know if I do have a kidney problem, would it be something I could reverse - in theory? Just scared and I like to know info and variables.
I do not take any other medications. Beyond having a serious back problem, I've always had very good health. I get my blood checked every 3 to 5 months - never had an issue until now. If I did have a kidney issue, wouldn't there be something else in my lab work showing problems?
I am not overweight - quite thin actually and I get a decent amount of exercise.
What type of symptoms might you be looking for? I've had a bit of diarrhea the last week or two but that's about it - I attributed that to the major stress I have been under with a very ill family member and work related projects.
I guess I would like to know if I do have a kidney problem, would it be something I could reverse - in theory? Just scared and I like to know info and variables.
Brief Answer:
I'll mention some symptoms and findings in renal disease...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I was looking for symptoms of renal or endocrinological problems which may be related to hyperkalemia. The renal symptoms are usually non-specific ones like nausea, vomiting, hypertension etc. A more specific one is oliguria which means a diminished urine production. Endocrinological problems symptoms that may accompany hyperkalemia may include hypotension, weakness, decreased appetite, weight loss, diarrhea etc.
For a healthy individual at your age, the most serious concern is renal disease usually from dehydration (after a lot of vomiting or diarrhea without adequate water replenishment). Another potential cause is glomerulonephritis which is an array of renal conditions with different causes and findings. A urinalysis is usually sufficient to exclude glomerulonephritis.
Clinical findings in glomerular disease may include hypertension, edema (swelling), blood in the urine, albuminuria. The urinalysis would prove all of the above beside the swelling of course which should be visible on the lower parts of the legs.
Some of the aforementioned causes are reversible but it all depends on the cause and a prompt treatment. For example prompt water replenishment in dehydration, various treatments for glomerular diseases etc.
Kind Regards!
I'll mention some symptoms and findings in renal disease...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I was looking for symptoms of renal or endocrinological problems which may be related to hyperkalemia. The renal symptoms are usually non-specific ones like nausea, vomiting, hypertension etc. A more specific one is oliguria which means a diminished urine production. Endocrinological problems symptoms that may accompany hyperkalemia may include hypotension, weakness, decreased appetite, weight loss, diarrhea etc.
For a healthy individual at your age, the most serious concern is renal disease usually from dehydration (after a lot of vomiting or diarrhea without adequate water replenishment). Another potential cause is glomerulonephritis which is an array of renal conditions with different causes and findings. A urinalysis is usually sufficient to exclude glomerulonephritis.
Clinical findings in glomerular disease may include hypertension, edema (swelling), blood in the urine, albuminuria. The urinalysis would prove all of the above beside the swelling of course which should be visible on the lower parts of the legs.
Some of the aforementioned causes are reversible but it all depends on the cause and a prompt treatment. For example prompt water replenishment in dehydration, various treatments for glomerular diseases etc.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for getting very specific. I sincerely appreciate your effort.
In sum, with a totally normal comprehensive blood panel - sans the potassium
coupled with my age/health, I would have to agree with you that it was the laborious blood draw.
Time to make a change in the Norco consumption nevertheless. I was never a drug person and the anxiety I feel surrounding taking medications is worse than the "cure."
I sincerely appreciate your help. Have a great evening.
p.s. And I'm peeing just fine - so that's not it.
In sum, with a totally normal comprehensive blood panel - sans the potassium
coupled with my age/health, I would have to agree with you that it was the laborious blood draw.
Time to make a change in the Norco consumption nevertheless. I was never a drug person and the anxiety I feel surrounding taking medications is worse than the "cure."
I sincerely appreciate your help. Have a great evening.
p.s. And I'm peeing just fine - so that's not it.
Brief Answer:
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
I agree with your conclusion! The normal blood panel (particularly the urea and creatinine values) and a normal urinalysis effectively exclude almost any renal cause and besides the laborious blood draw, the collection tube may sometimes be handled in a clumsy way which also causes rupture of the red blood cells (for example if the tubes are transported on a vehicle to another place and they are not adequately protected during the transport).
Anyway, I believe that you should have the repeat measurement, just in case, but you don't have to wait two weeks for it!
Kind Regards!
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
I agree with your conclusion! The normal blood panel (particularly the urea and creatinine values) and a normal urinalysis effectively exclude almost any renal cause and besides the laborious blood draw, the collection tube may sometimes be handled in a clumsy way which also causes rupture of the red blood cells (for example if the tubes are transported on a vehicle to another place and they are not adequately protected during the transport).
Anyway, I believe that you should have the repeat measurement, just in case, but you don't have to wait two weeks for it!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Again!
I ran to the local clinic to get my urine tested as my doctor never tests it. I think my last urine test was at the ER over a year and a half ago when I hurt my back again. It came back normal then.
Anyway, the urine test showed trace amounts of blood. No protein or anything else. Now what? I had them do a follow up blood test as well based on the theory that the other blood test could have been skewed by a laborious administrator.
I plan to follow up with my regular doctor on Monday but could use some guidance on what this might be... although again, I realize this you aren't actually treating me.
Again, I have a back problem (confirmed by an MRI) but nothing else. I can't stress that enough. A little confused...
I ran to the local clinic to get my urine tested as my doctor never tests it. I think my last urine test was at the ER over a year and a half ago when I hurt my back again. It came back normal then.
Anyway, the urine test showed trace amounts of blood. No protein or anything else. Now what? I had them do a follow up blood test as well based on the theory that the other blood test could have been skewed by a laborious administrator.
I plan to follow up with my regular doctor on Monday but could use some guidance on what this might be... although again, I realize this you aren't actually treating me.
Again, I have a back problem (confirmed by an MRI) but nothing else. I can't stress that enough. A little confused...
Brief Answer:
it depends
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
traces of blood in the urine can be normal (0-2 red blood cells per high power field). If you've got more than that then there could be a problem. Sometimes slight elevations (like 3-4 red blood cells per high power field) are seen but no problem can be identified after investigation.
Despite that, if you've got blood in the urine then you need an investigation (at least an ultrasound scan of the whole urinary tract). Depending on the results you might need more tests.
Kind Regards!
it depends
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
traces of blood in the urine can be normal (0-2 red blood cells per high power field). If you've got more than that then there could be a problem. Sometimes slight elevations (like 3-4 red blood cells per high power field) are seen but no problem can be identified after investigation.
Despite that, if you've got blood in the urine then you need an investigation (at least an ultrasound scan of the whole urinary tract). Depending on the results you might need more tests.
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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