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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is The Potassium Supplement Level Correct For Heart Failure Final Stage?

My 85 year old mother is in final stage heart failure. She has been placed on a megadose (160 mg) of lasix with 40 IU of potassium supplement. She weighs 106 pounds and has normal kidney function. I am just trying to get verification of her potassium supplement level since her doctor did not display a lot of confidence.
Wed, 10 Jun 2015
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern, i would explain that when the patient is on high dose diuretics, especially when renal function is normal, it is highly recommended to be aware of electrolytes loss by increased urine output.

So, potassium supplements are necessary to substitute daily losses.

Daily blood electrolytes tests are the best guidance to decide the daily dose of supplements, as there are not fixed and predetermined doses for this purpose.

So, facing the increased dose of daily lasix, and her weight, seems that those potassium supplements are necessary.

A correct judgement would be available if you upload the exact blood potassium level and its trend changes.

Hope to have been helpful to you. Greetings! Dr. Iliri
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Is The Potassium Supplement Level Correct For Heart Failure Final Stage?

Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern, i would explain that when the patient is on high dose diuretics, especially when renal function is normal, it is highly recommended to be aware of electrolytes loss by increased urine output. So, potassium supplements are necessary to substitute daily losses. Daily blood electrolytes tests are the best guidance to decide the daily dose of supplements, as there are not fixed and predetermined doses for this purpose. So, facing the increased dose of daily lasix, and her weight, seems that those potassium supplements are necessary. A correct judgement would be available if you upload the exact blood potassium level and its trend changes. Hope to have been helpful to you. Greetings! Dr. Iliri