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What Causes High Potassium Level With Normal Kidney Function?
Question: I have high potassium level (6.2) with normal kidney function. Could this be diet related or med related. I take blood pressure med, Prozac, gout med? YYYY@YYYY . Im a 66yo mail 203lbs
meds are 1. atenolol 100mg 2 fluoxetine 30mg allopurinol 300mg
meds are 1. atenolol 100mg 2 fluoxetine 30mg allopurinol 300mg
Brief Answer:
it needs investigation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
first of all you should make sure that the blood was drawn properly. If the blood drawing process is too laborious then some red blood cells may be destroyed and their potassium may falsely increase the serum potassium. In such cases a repeat measurement is advised.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) may show signs of hyperkalemia, so finding such signs would confirm that the reported hyperkalemia is true. Lack of findings cannot exclude true hypokalemia though.
Kidney and hormonal malfunction may cause hyperkalemia. It's difficult to increase your potassium with a faulty diet only. The drugs you're taking are not supposed to cause hyperkalemia, unless they cause renal damage. Other less common causes include malignancies (high cell turnover). In such cases the uric acid should be elevated as well.
A urinalysis, a blood urea and creatinine measurement and testing for hormonal disorders (mineralocorticoid deficiency) may provide helpful clues to the diagnosis. An ultrasound scan of the kidneys may provide clues to chronic renal damage.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
it needs investigation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
first of all you should make sure that the blood was drawn properly. If the blood drawing process is too laborious then some red blood cells may be destroyed and their potassium may falsely increase the serum potassium. In such cases a repeat measurement is advised.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) may show signs of hyperkalemia, so finding such signs would confirm that the reported hyperkalemia is true. Lack of findings cannot exclude true hypokalemia though.
Kidney and hormonal malfunction may cause hyperkalemia. It's difficult to increase your potassium with a faulty diet only. The drugs you're taking are not supposed to cause hyperkalemia, unless they cause renal damage. Other less common causes include malignancies (high cell turnover). In such cases the uric acid should be elevated as well.
A urinalysis, a blood urea and creatinine measurement and testing for hormonal disorders (mineralocorticoid deficiency) may provide helpful clues to the diagnosis. An ultrasound scan of the kidneys may provide clues to chronic renal damage.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
made appt with nutritionist and asked for followup with Dr. blood draw was done twice in two days....My primary care is with Veterans Administration in San XXXXXXX California. uric acid levels were normal. I was exposed to agent orange in Vietnam
but the Va says there is no connection. I will update you after nutritionist visit. My concern is that no one seems to have an answer.
but the Va says there is no connection. I will update you after nutritionist visit. My concern is that no one seems to have an answer.
Brief Answer:
there is no easy answer without investigation
Detailed Answer:
The right way to do things is the following - according to my opinion:
- Doing an ECG to check to heart related effects.
- Careful testing for renal malfunction and for potential hormonal disorders.
Your diet cannot be the cause with intact renal function, unless you're using supplements at high doses. Even then I doubt you could increase your potassium that much.
Kind Regards!
there is no easy answer without investigation
Detailed Answer:
The right way to do things is the following - according to my opinion:
- Doing an ECG to check to heart related effects.
- Careful testing for renal malfunction and for potential hormonal disorders.
Your diet cannot be the cause with intact renal function, unless you're using supplements at high doses. Even then I doubt you could increase your potassium that much.
Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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