Guest guest Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 HI I haven't had any patients with this situation but is there a prescription liquid potassium they could take? Good luckMelinda Benedict <benedictrd@...> wrote: Hello- Recently, I have had 2 patients have complaints of low potassium. They are following the MD orders for 2 Flintstones complete, and 2 tums daily, but essentially have no dietary potassium. One patient was complaining that the potassium supplement had to dissolve in 6 ounces of water, and she had to take 2. She was concerned over the taste as well as time that it would take to get the supplement down. Has anyone had problems with low potassium and is there an easier treatment? TIA, Melinda Benedict, RD Self Regional Healthcare Celebrate 's 10th Birthday! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web Celebrate 's 10th Birthday! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 The american diet is so abundant in potassium that I find it difficult to believe they are not getting any dietary potassium, some medications cause low potassium so I would check all medications first and hopefully more than one lab draw was done to diagnose low K+. If their blood levels are consistently low I would probably encourage a banana a day or another high potassium food on a daily basis. Hope this helps. ---Original Message-----From: Melinda Benedict [mailto:benedictrd@...]Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 12:54 PM Subject: Low Potassium Hello- Recently, I have had 2 patients have complaints of low potassium. They are following the MD orders for 2 Flintstones complete, and 2 tums daily, but essentially have no dietary potassium. One patient was complaining that the potassium supplement had to dissolve in 6 ounces of water, and she had to take 2. She was concerned over the taste as well as time that it would take to get the supplement down. Has anyone had problems with low potassium and is there an easier treatment? TIA, Melinda Benedict, RD Self Regional Healthcare Celebrate 's 10th Birthday! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should contact the sender and delete the message. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 I think sometimes we forget that magnesium helps control potassium levels in the body. If magnesium levels are low, potassium will be low. Magnesium is not routinely checked. Magnesium is lost thru the urine and feces, diuretics may increase losses. Most folks don't consume enough magnesium. RDA is 350 mg, but some studies suggest most people need around 500 mg. Additional magnesium MAY not be a problem, although a documented side effect could be diarrhea. You might suggest a slow released magnesium supplement (120-250mg/day of magnesium sulfate) because large doses and certain forms of magnesium would be more likely to cause gi effects. GAstrointestinal effects need to be observed. I have not recommended an additional Magnesium supplement in my Bariatric surgery patients as of yet,so I can't offer any experience in that area.I have not seen diarrhea be a problem at all in other patients with additional magnesium. Just my 2 cents; Darla Warfield, RD,LDN Nutrition Consultant > The american diet is so abundant in potassium that I find it difficult to > believe they are not getting any dietary potassium, some medications cause > low potassium so I would check all medications first and hopefully more than > one lab draw was done to diagnose low K+. If their blood levels are > consistently low I would probably encourage a banana a day or another high > potassium food on a daily basis. Hope this helps. > > ---Original Message----- > From: Melinda Benedict [mailto:benedictrd@y...] > Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 12:54 PM > > Subject: Low Potassium > > > > > Hello- > > Recently, I have had 2 patients have complaints of low potassium. They are > following the MD orders for 2 Flintstones complete, and 2 tums daily, but > essentially have no dietary potassium. One patient was complaining that the > potassium supplement had to dissolve in 6 ounces of water, and she had to > take 2. She was concerned over the taste as well as time that it would take > to get the supplement down. Has anyone had problems with low potassium and > is there an easier treatment? > > TIA, > > Melinda Benedict, RD > > Self Regional Healthcare > > > _____ > > Celebrate 's 10th Birthday! > Netrospective: 100 <http://birthday./netrospective/> > Moments of the Web > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 Propel Beth Whelan, MS,RD,LD Outpatient Dietitian Harbin Clinic office: (706) 378-8163 fax: (706) 238-8037 Low Potassium Hello- Recently, I have had 2 patients have complaints of low potassium. They are following the MD orders for 2 Flintstones complete, and 2 tums daily, but essentially have no dietary potassium. One patient was complaining that the potassium supplement had to dissolve in 6 ounces of water, and she had to take 2. She was concerned over the taste as well as time that it would take to get the supplement down. Has anyone had problems with low potassium and is there an easier treatment? TIA, Melinda Benedict, RD Self Regional Healthcare Celebrate 's 10th Birthday! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 It would be very interesting to know what the adrenals(assuming the one how looked at them knew what they were looking at) looked like on the autopsy and if she had any HTN-or Hx of low K before and what meds she was taking. Keep us posted. Would be happy to talk to the lawyers on a consulting basis. A low K after cardiac arrest would be unusual by can be an error for example if the blood was drawn from the IV. Which can happen in an emergency situation. On May 2, 2008, at 10:21 AM, Valarie wrote: > This is about a prominent local woman who died after getting a pain > injection in her back. Turns out, she had low potassium. I > wonder if anyone checked her aldo? > > http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9125201?source=rss > > Val > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 There may be more on this story as I think her family is hiring lawyers. I don't personally know them or know anyone who does. Val From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Clarence Grim It would be very interesting to know what the adrenals(assuming the one how looked at them knew what they were looking at) looked like on the autopsy and if she had any HTN-or Hx of low K before and what meds she was taking. Keep us posted. Would be happy to talk to the lawyers on a consulting basis. A low K after cardiac arrest would be unusual by can be an error for example if the blood was drawn from the IV. Which can happen in an emergency situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Good Keep us posted on the news. On May 2, 2008, at 11:36 AM, Valarie wrote: > There may be more on this story as I think her family is hiring > lawyers. I don't personally know them or know anyone who does. > > Val > > From: hyperaldosteronism > [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Clarence Grim > > It would be very interesting to know what the adrenals(assuming the > one how looked at them knew what they were looking at) looked like on > the autopsy and if she had any HTN-or Hx of low K before and what > meds she was taking. > > Keep us posted. > > Would be happy to talk to the lawyers on a consulting basis. > > A low K after cardiac arrest would be unusual by can be an error for > example if the blood was drawn from the IV. Which can happen in an > emergency situation. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 I wrote to the lawyer. Val Still trying to save the world From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Clarence Grim Good Keep us posted on the news. On May 2, 2008, at 11:36 AM, Valarie wrote: > There may be more on this story as I think her family is hiring > lawyers. I don't personally know them or know anyone who does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Hey-someone has to do it. Keep up the good work. On May 2, 2008, at 7:56 PM, Valarie wrote: > I wrote to the lawyer. > > Val > Still trying to save the world > > From: hyperaldosteronism > [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Clarence Grim > > Good Keep us posted on the news. > > On May 2, 2008, at 11:36 AM, Valarie wrote: > > > There may be more on this story as I think her family is hiring > > lawyers. I don't personally know them or know anyone who does. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 What better way to teach doctors than to have a well-known person case of missed diagnosis. Val From: hyperaldosteronism [mailto:hyperaldosteronism ] On Behalf Of Clarence Grim Hey-someone has to do it. Keep up the good work. On May 2, 2008, at 7:56 PM, Valarie wrote: > I wrote to the lawyer. > > Val > Still trying to save the world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 YES!!! I would change their clear liquid diet to a full liquid diet with "meal replacement" shakes that include 100% of the RDA for vitamins and minerals. It is important that they go into surgery well nourished and hemodynamically stable and a handful of random clear liquids are not going to do that. We don't do complete liquids but a combo of liquids with some foods, we use Nutrimed (which is actually low in K+) but provides all the rest and then we give them a list of high K+ vegetables and instruct them to include a certain minimum to meet K+ needs, also helpful to have medical provider review use of diuretic before starting clear liquid such that they are not wasting K+......good luck Laschkewitsch RD LDDietitian, Legacy Obesity Institute(503) 413-8135 -----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of erikasuerdSent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 8:13 AM Subject: low potassium has anyone ever had problems with pre-surgical patients having low potassium? We have had a few patients whose pre-surgery labwork come back with low potassium levels. They are on a clear liquid diet for 5-7 days prior to surgery with Zero-Carb Isopure as a meal supplement, would that have anything to do with it? It has only 45 mg potassium per bottle, but I wouldn't think that would drop their level so fast. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Hi, -Yes, caffeine is a diuretic but it should NOT cause potassium depletion. It is very frustrating to be told your symtoms may be in your head. I have worked for doctors for yrs and the fear of this happening kept me from going to the dr despite my symptoms for yrs. If it isn't black and white, some physicians are very quick to dismiss some things as depression or anxiety. Hyperaldosteronism can cause the symptoms you described as having. Don't lose heart if the results come back as ok as there are a host of other "legit" illnesses that can cause your problems as well. Good luck and keep us posted ! Lori From: creeksidegina <creeksidegina@...>Subject: Low Potassiumhyperaldosteronism Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 1:13 PM While I'm waiting for the Aldeosterone/ Renin test to come back I thought I'd ask about potassium. Is it possible that caffiene could act like a diuretic and cause my low potassium levels. The few times I went to the hospital I had had coffee. I usually only drink decaf because I can't tolerate caffeine but on the days I went to the ER I had regular coffee. Although I guess that doesn't explain my fluctuating bp and other symptoms, as well as the fact that I have these adrenaline rushes and palpatations almost nightly after I fall asleep, the times I went to the ER they were just way more intense. I guess I just can't get my head around the possibility that there is something else going on, they've always told me "anxiety" After 10 years I'm starting to believe them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 I can't see that the diuretic effect would be significant enough to cause your hypokalemia. I know I had to eliminate caffeine altogether because my one daily coffee eventually gave me the jitters and seemed to worsen my symptoms. I also would see that I would flush more readily and my pressure would go up as well. Chantal > > While I'm waiting for the Aldeosterone/Renin test to come back I thought I'd ask about potassium. Is it possible that caffiene could act like a diuretic and cause my low potassium levels. The few times I went to the hospital I had had coffee. I usually only drink decaf because I can't tolerate caffeine but on the days I went to the ER I had regular coffee. Although I guess that doesn't explain my fluctuating bp and other symptoms, as well as the fact that I have these adrenaline rushes and palpatations almost nightly after I fall asleep, the times I went to the ER they were just way more intense. I guess I just can't get my head around the possibility that there is something else going on, they've always told me " anxiety " After 10 years I'm starting to believe them. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 I don't think they are adrenalin rushes. Instead, most likely malignent hypertension symptoms. In other words, salt rushes. Bindner Web Directory (links to my sites and blogs): http://www.geocities.com/mikeybdc/index.html http://mikeybdc.blogspot.com From: creeksidegina <creeksidegina@...>Subject: Low Potassiumhyperaldosteronism Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 2:13 PM While I'm waiting for the Aldeosterone/ Renin test to come back I thought I'd ask about potassium. Is it possible that caffiene could act like a diuretic and cause my low potassium levels. The few times I went to the hospital I had had coffee. I usually only drink decaf because I can't tolerate caffeine but on the days I went to the ER I had regular coffee. Although I guess that doesn't explain my fluctuating bp and other symptoms, as well as the fact that I have these adrenaline rushes and palpatations almost nightly after I fall asleep, the times I went to the ER they were just way more intense. I guess I just can't get my head around the possibility that there is something else going on, they've always told me "anxiety" After 10 years I'm starting to believe them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Coffee will not affect K much. It does have K in it.Nothing is in your head. It is all in your biochemistry. As you can see many here report anxiety problems. May your pressure be low!Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MDSpecializing in Primary Aldosteronism the most common cause of "Difficult/Drug Resistant High Blood Pressure". Other research interests focus on the interactions of recent evolutionary forces on the body's ability to handle salt and the effect of dietary salt on blood pressure in populations today.Listed in Best Doctors of America 2009. On Oct 7, 2009, at 1:13 PM, creeksidegina wrote: While I'm waiting for the Aldeosterone/Renin test to come back I thought I'd ask about potassium. Is it possible that caffiene could act like a diuretic and cause my low potassium levels. The few times I went to the hospital I had had coffee. I usually only drink decaf because I can't tolerate caffeine but on the days I went to the ER I had regular coffee. Although I guess that doesn't explain my fluctuating bp and other symptoms, as well as the fact that I have these adrenaline rushes and palpatations almost nightly after I fall asleep, the times I went to the ER they were just way more intense. I guess I just can't get my head around the possibility that there is something else going on, they've always told me "anxiety" After 10 years I'm starting to believe them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2011 Report Share Posted September 24, 2011 Hi is it possible to go to the walk in centre and get your potassium tested, if you think its dangerously low ? I had what i think are low potassium symptoms last nite and a bit this morning (muscle cramp, felt a little sick, and ligh headed) Ive taken some extra k-dur this morning and i plan to eat potassium rich foods all day, so i will see how i go on as i will most probably be fine, but was just wondering if it was possible as a last resort. Lastly if i did i would just say im on florinef and dr P advised it, they should be fine with that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2011 Report Share Posted September 24, 2011 Are you sure this is not because you stopped your HC altogether Steve so quickly? However, it could be very low potassium. Ask your high street chemist the best thing to take for low potassium. You don't need a prescription I don't think. Eat lots of banana's and tomatoes. Luv - Sheila Hi is it possible to go to the walk in centre and get your potassium tested, if you think its dangerously low ? I had what i think are low potassium symptoms last nite and a bit this morning (muscle cramp, felt a little sick, and ligh headed) Ive taken some extra k-dur this morning and i plan to eat potassium rich foods all day, so i will see how i go on as i will most probably be fine, but was just wondering if it was possible as a last resort. Lastly if i did i would just say im on florinef and dr P advised it, they should be fine with that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2011 Report Share Posted September 24, 2011 Steve, I would be extremely careful and wary that this isn't low cortisol. You were on a high dose of HC for quite a while, weren't you, and then just to stop? Chris > > Hi is it possible to go to the walk in centre and get your potassium tested, if you think its dangerously low ? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 Steve and I have communicated on email about this and we concur that it is now the Florinef medication that is the culprit and will need to be phased out as his adrenals are picking up the slack nicely. Steve is the first person I've ever worked with who is also on Florinef. Using this method to give the adrenals a chance to work on their own should enable the adrenal glands to do their level best to produce the full range of hormones and in this case the aldosterone that the Florinef is designed to compensate for. Assuming that this works well then this will be about the tenth person in the past 6 months that I've had dealings with that has come off all adrenal hormones successfully. The rationale for being on adrenal hormones for adrenal fatigue is that they will be used temporarily to enable the thyroid treatment to be done correctly. However, many, many thyroid patients are left stuck on these adrenal hormones (HC, Florinef, adrenal glandulars). Why is this when these same patients also pass Synacthen tests with flying colours? The people I've dealt with have come off the adrenal hormones successfully. These people have simply not been on the RIGHT FORM or DOSAGE of thyroid hormone. So, not only have they not had enough T3 for the adrenals to work right BUT they have also been encouraged to use adrenal hormones (via other websites, internet articles and doctors in some cases). THIS IS A DOUBLE WHAMMY. Not only have their own adrenals been underperforming due to the wrong thyroid treatment then to make matters worse their adrenals have been further suppressed with adrenal hormones. This in some cases is a recipe for disaster as it can cause permanent adrenal atrophy - especially as some of these people are left STUCK on these hormones for the wrong reasons. Some people need adrenal hormones. However, I suspect this figure is probably about 10% of the people that are being encouraged to use them. I can't say exactly what I feel about this here because it wouldn't be published. It isn't smart and it isn't healthy. Simply feeling better on the adrenal hormones doesn't mean that they are the right treatment. > > Hi paul thanks for all the replies, i am 100% convinced now that it was low potassium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 p.s. if anyone responds to this at all with the argument that some people actually need adrenal hormones being provided to them for months and years on end I have this response: Some people do. Usually these people will have been professionally diagnosed with definite adrenal disease of one form or another ('s usually caused by adrenal autoantibodies, adrenal tumours, impact injuries. Hypopituitarism or very rarely a hypothalmic issue). For the people that have adrenal fatigue that simply can't seem to survive without the adrenal hormones then indeed there may be reasons that currently we don't have explanations for - given that these people have passed a Synacthen test. However, my concern is for the people that are almost certainly doing themselves harm by taking adrenal hormones for over a year or more when the entire idea of physiological doses of adrenal hormones is aimed at getting the thyroid treatment right. The rhetoric suggests that these adrenal hormones are short term but many people are just stuck on them because they help but don't entirely fix the problems. These people are my concern. Long term use of adrenal hormones that aren't really necessary must do damage and cause adrenal gland atrophy - maybe they can recover but I have my doubts. The come back argument that some people need the adrenal hormones won't wash! Especially since all the people (100%) of the people that I've worked with so far who have been on adrenal hormones of one form or another haven't really needed them - once they were on the right form and dosage of thyroid hormone. This is a thought provoker isn't it? > > St Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Doctor gave me a prescription for K-SOL and took it for about 6 weeks then had another blood test and it had brought it up quite a bit. Dropped big tablet in water, it fizzed up and I drank it. Luv - Sheila I am just drinking some coconut water, - that is high in potassium. I get my electrolytes tested on wednesday. i think about 2 years ago the potassium was barely in range - it wasn't commented on, of course. 'normal' is fine. yet 0.1 lower and it'd have been 'low'. Probably would have been told to eat a banana, or something. Slow K ? they'd think that's a breakfast cereal for slow fat people i expect how did you get your potassium up? I read that the vast majority of potassium is stored in the cell so the blood reading can be perfect but cells can still be low? don't know if that's right, though. .._,___ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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