At an all time low.

[corrineinwa]

I haven't posted in a couple of weeks - I've been working full time, covering for someone else at work.

Peter continues to make excellent progress following his surgery mid-April and everyone is delighted with the efforts he's putting in with his exercise.

He's had the small tweak with his Coumadin but nothing major and he's stayed within range. We're down to testing every 2 weeks now.

Unfortunately, he now has an issue with his potassium level.

It's been creeping up for a while (even before the heart issue was diagnosed) and even though we've restricted his potassium rich foods, his level now stands at 6.2 mEq/L. And his CL level has increased to 108 mmol/L too.

We're back at hospital on Tuesday for further bloodwork. And I'm going to try and get to talk with his cardiologist about the potassium thing. I don't know that he's aware of this latest issue or not.

Peter knows his potassium level is high but he doesn't know any more than that. There doesn't seem any point in worrying him about it at the moment.

My mind is spinning. I need to start searching the internet about it now.

Hope everyone else is doing well. Hugs to you all.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

You may want to look for hidden sources of Potassium in his diet.

Bananas are a known source.

Many Fruit Juices, including Orange Juice, contain Potassium supplements.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[corrineinwa]

You may want to look for hidden sources of Potassium in his diet.

Bananas are a known source.

Many Fruit Juices, including Orange Juice, contain Potassium supplements.

'AL Capshaw'

I started doing that a year ago when his potassium level went up a couple of notches but it's continued to creep up.

He hasn't had bananas, OJ, dried fruit, tomato puree etc., potatoes etc. in a long time and I'm careful about his potassium intake but his lab work this week reached an all time high.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

It sounds like you and Peter need to have a discussion with his Primary Care Physician about possible causes of his elevated Potassium.

My (admittedly limited) understanding is that there can be 'issues' with Both elevated and diminished potassium levels.

Hope you find the cause and better yet, a means of keeping it centered where it needs to be.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[bahlvarun]

I am also unaware of these things, but do pray that this gets sorted out soon. How about checking the metabolism?

 

[escargome]

Corrine,
My husband also has very elevated potassium levels and only 40% kidney function. Check everything Peter eats. I found potassium in cottage cheese, yogurt, tuna. My husbands kidney specialist says companies use potassium as a preservative so it is in foods you wouldn't dream of suspecting. Right now my husband is on a 3 times a week medicine called Kionex. We shall see what happens because then it might swing his potassium too low. Good Luck.