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What Causes High Potassium Levels?
Question: I just received my lab results and my potassium is 6.3, ALT-47 and AST-53-
Creatinine is 0.80 mg/dL; ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE is 45 U/L; BILIRUBIN is 0.8 mg/dL and one year ago, my tests results indicated that I tested positive for an autoimmune disorder and the doctor told me not to worry about it since a year ago, all other test were normal and to come back if I notice any symptoms which I still don't have.
I've been on many different high protein, high fat, low carb diets and I do drink a couple of glasses of wine every night and am wondering if diet could be the cause. I also eat a lot of mushrooms, Almond milk, protein shakes and artichokes which are to my understanding, high in potassium. Can you tell me why those results are so high and is alcohol a direct contributor of the high potassium, ALT, AST levels or could it be the a flare up from the autoimmune disorder?
Creatinine is 0.80 mg/dL; ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE is 45 U/L; BILIRUBIN is 0.8 mg/dL and one year ago, my tests results indicated that I tested positive for an autoimmune disorder and the doctor told me not to worry about it since a year ago, all other test were normal and to come back if I notice any symptoms which I still don't have.
I've been on many different high protein, high fat, low carb diets and I do drink a couple of glasses of wine every night and am wondering if diet could be the cause. I also eat a lot of mushrooms, Almond milk, protein shakes and artichokes which are to my understanding, high in potassium. Can you tell me why those results are so high and is alcohol a direct contributor of the high potassium, ALT, AST levels or could it be the a flare up from the autoimmune disorder?
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Good day.
Noted your lab results.
Potassium is surely high. I wouldnt think your diet alone is causing this.
Are you diabetic or do you take any medications for blood pressure?
There are mny causes of high potassium. Did you ever have high serum potassium in a blood test in the past?
There are number of causes of high potassium.
1) Sample lysis is the commonest cause. If the lab hasnt processed your sample straight away, blood lyse and there by potassium will be spuriously high. This is one of the commonest cause of high potassium.
2) Kidney disorders> In your case, creatinine is normal and i would not think that as the cause in your case.
3) Drugs. a number of medicines can cause high potasium. Eg: Spironolactine ( aldactone), Amloride, many anti hypertensive pills etc.
4) Hormonal disorders: Especially low cortisol levels in hypoadrenalism , Low aldosterone levels in type 4 renal tubular acidosis ( common in diabetes).
What is your height and weight? If you are excess in weight, there is a possibility of fatty liver which explains your abnormal liver function tests. Wine is another reason. HAVING SAID THIS, I WOULD'NT CONSIDER THIS AS A BAD LIVER FUNCTION TEST. Many drugs like antibiotics, herbal medicines etc also can cause this.
Which auto immune marker was high before?? There are many of them and if you could tell me which test was postive in the past, i could get an idea about it.
Addison's disease is an auto immune disorder which can cause low cortosl and high potassium and other auto immune disorders like auto immune liver disease can be associated with this.
COULD YOU PLEASE WRITE TO ME AGAIN regarding
a) Diabetes status
b) current medications
c) The auto immune marker which was postive in the past?
In the mean while, serum potassium of 6.3 is a bit high and please get a repeat test done soon. If it is high, you need an ECG and medicines to reduce the potassium levels .
Regards'
Binu
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Good day.
Noted your lab results.
Potassium is surely high. I wouldnt think your diet alone is causing this.
Are you diabetic or do you take any medications for blood pressure?
There are mny causes of high potassium. Did you ever have high serum potassium in a blood test in the past?
There are number of causes of high potassium.
1) Sample lysis is the commonest cause. If the lab hasnt processed your sample straight away, blood lyse and there by potassium will be spuriously high. This is one of the commonest cause of high potassium.
2) Kidney disorders> In your case, creatinine is normal and i would not think that as the cause in your case.
3) Drugs. a number of medicines can cause high potasium. Eg: Spironolactine ( aldactone), Amloride, many anti hypertensive pills etc.
4) Hormonal disorders: Especially low cortisol levels in hypoadrenalism , Low aldosterone levels in type 4 renal tubular acidosis ( common in diabetes).
What is your height and weight? If you are excess in weight, there is a possibility of fatty liver which explains your abnormal liver function tests. Wine is another reason. HAVING SAID THIS, I WOULD'NT CONSIDER THIS AS A BAD LIVER FUNCTION TEST. Many drugs like antibiotics, herbal medicines etc also can cause this.
Which auto immune marker was high before?? There are many of them and if you could tell me which test was postive in the past, i could get an idea about it.
Addison's disease is an auto immune disorder which can cause low cortosl and high potassium and other auto immune disorders like auto immune liver disease can be associated with this.
COULD YOU PLEASE WRITE TO ME AGAIN regarding
a) Diabetes status
b) current medications
c) The auto immune marker which was postive in the past?
In the mean while, serum potassium of 6.3 is a bit high and please get a repeat test done soon. If it is high, you need an ECG and medicines to reduce the potassium levels .
Regards'
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello;
No, I am not a diabetic. I weigh 130 and am 5'3" and exercise 3-4 times/week. I am not on any medications. I also see that on my current lab tests, the MCV-104.4 fL (range 80-100)and the MCH-34.2 pg (range 27-33); MCHC: 32.8;
RBC: 3.93 Million/uL
I have never had high potassium and just looked at my lab results from exactly 1 year ago the only test that came out hight were the following were out of range according to the tests:
RBC:3.42L
MCV: 101H LAST YEAR RANGE: 79-97fL
MCH: 33.3H LAST YEAR RANGE: 26.6-33. pg
MCHC: 32.9
CRITININE: 1.08H LAST YEAR RANGE: 0.57-100 mg/dl
Potassium: 4.7
AST:29
ALT: 16
VIT.B12: 1069H
I've had a retest done but do not have the results yet.
Please let me know if you need any additional information regarding my tests from current or last year.
Thank you
No, I am not a diabetic. I weigh 130 and am 5'3" and exercise 3-4 times/week. I am not on any medications. I also see that on my current lab tests, the MCV-104.4 fL (range 80-100)and the MCH-34.2 pg (range 27-33); MCHC: 32.8;
RBC: 3.93 Million/uL
I have never had high potassium and just looked at my lab results from exactly 1 year ago the only test that came out hight were the following were out of range according to the tests:
RBC:3.42L
MCV: 101H LAST YEAR RANGE: 79-97fL
MCH: 33.3H LAST YEAR RANGE: 26.6-33. pg
MCHC: 32.9
CRITININE: 1.08H LAST YEAR RANGE: 0.57-100 mg/dl
Potassium: 4.7
AST:29
ALT: 16
VIT.B12: 1069H
I've had a retest done but do not have the results yet.
Please let me know if you need any additional information regarding my tests from current or last year.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the reply.
We shall wait for the potassium retest reports.
High MCV can be due to a number of reasons. Vit B12 defciency, folic acid deficiency, Hypothytoidism and Alcohol.
The fact that your Vit B12 was normal last year means that you may need to check your serum folate levels and Thyroid function tests.
High MCV and altered AST and ALT this year may also point towards Wine as one of the cause. I feel you should stop or reduce alcohol and repeat the test in a month time. You may also need to consider an ultrasound of liver.
Please let me know the repeat Potassium results
Regards
Binu
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the reply.
We shall wait for the potassium retest reports.
High MCV can be due to a number of reasons. Vit B12 defciency, folic acid deficiency, Hypothytoidism and Alcohol.
The fact that your Vit B12 was normal last year means that you may need to check your serum folate levels and Thyroid function tests.
High MCV and altered AST and ALT this year may also point towards Wine as one of the cause. I feel you should stop or reduce alcohol and repeat the test in a month time. You may also need to consider an ultrasound of liver.
Please let me know the repeat Potassium results
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Oh, yes meant to also include on the current test, TSH: 1.98 mIU/L
Do my results this year point to any type of auto immune disorder?
Do my results this year point to any type of auto immune disorder?
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Okay.
Not really. There is no hard evidnce of an auto immune disorder just based on the blood test.
An auto immune disorder called as pernicious anemia cause high MCV. But since your vit B12 is normal, that is rule out ( unless you received a Vit B12 shot).
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Okay.
Not really. There is no hard evidnce of an auto immune disorder just based on the blood test.
An auto immune disorder called as pernicious anemia cause high MCV. But since your vit B12 is normal, that is rule out ( unless you received a Vit B12 shot).
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I actually drink Red Bull which contains 80% B12 in an 8.4 oz serving-have about one of those a day. Also, since my Potassium was in good range last year, what would make it spike like that?
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Many of these health drinks contain high level of potassium. We need to wait for the repeat potassium results.
If still high, we need to do some hormone tests. ( since your creatinine is normal, it is unlikely to be due to kidney problem)
But before that, if your repeat Potassium is high, the priority number one is to normalize it as soon as possible. You may need to go and meet a doc/ER if repeat potassium is above 6. They will take an ECG and give you medicines to correct your potassium.
Please relax. For time being avoid high potasium diet ( citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, XXXXXXX drinks etc)
Regards
B
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Many of these health drinks contain high level of potassium. We need to wait for the repeat potassium results.
If still high, we need to do some hormone tests. ( since your creatinine is normal, it is unlikely to be due to kidney problem)
But before that, if your repeat Potassium is high, the priority number one is to normalize it as soon as possible. You may need to go and meet a doc/ER if repeat potassium is above 6. They will take an ECG and give you medicines to correct your potassium.
Please relax. For time being avoid high potasium diet ( citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, XXXXXXX drinks etc)
Regards
B
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok thank you! You have been incredibly helpful! I will let you know what the follow up says-can I just ask for you?
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Sure, you are welcome to ask me the follow up question. In that case, please do not close this discussion. I feel there is an option for it.
I will be wake for another hour or so
Good luck for the results
Binu
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Sure, you are welcome to ask me the follow up question. In that case, please do not close this discussion. I feel there is an option for it.
I will be wake for another hour or so
Good luck for the results
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok, thanks-I will keep you posted!
Brief Answer:
hi
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
hi
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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