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What Causes Low Potassium Levels Despite Taking Both Potassium Supplements And Aldactone?
Question: I am 71, in reasonably good health, except for hypertension, which is treated with a variety of drugs. Within the last few weeks, have had pain in the back of my left leg, just above the knee, then later in my wrist area, then behind my ear, all on the left side. I also have some periodic pain across my upper back which comes and goes, similar to the other pains. I have stenosis in my back, so assume the back pain may be caused by that.
I have gone to my primary care physician, and after discussion and an EKG, determined it was probably not heart-related. He took me off of potassium and aldactone, which I was taking for the hypertension and a potassium deficiency brought on or exacerbated by taking a diuretic called hydrochlorothiazide. After a day or so, I started feeling miserable, so started taking the potassium, and eventually the aldactone to see if that helped. I had a fairly good nights sleep last night after taking the 3 potassium pills and the aldactone, and feel pretty good this morning. I had a blood test today and the results will be sent to my PCP. He expects to see if taking me off potassium and the aldactone lowered my potassium, but of course, I "cheated" because I couldn't figure out what else to do to alleviate the discomfort.
I also have sleep apnea, for which I wear a dental device to help nighttime breathing.
I will be seeing my PCP later this afternoon, and will discuss all of this with him then. Is there anything I'm missing? I have looked at a lot of possibilities online as to what else could be going on, such as pulmonary embolism, kidney disease, etc. I also had a bloating episode two days ago, which caused me to go to urgent care. The doctor there did an EKG, which was normal, and decided to do a MRI of my stomach area. Nothing was found out of the ordinary. I feel like I'm at the mercy of doctors now, because I don't know what's causing these incidents. Any help would be appreciated.
I have gone to my primary care physician, and after discussion and an EKG, determined it was probably not heart-related. He took me off of potassium and aldactone, which I was taking for the hypertension and a potassium deficiency brought on or exacerbated by taking a diuretic called hydrochlorothiazide. After a day or so, I started feeling miserable, so started taking the potassium, and eventually the aldactone to see if that helped. I had a fairly good nights sleep last night after taking the 3 potassium pills and the aldactone, and feel pretty good this morning. I had a blood test today and the results will be sent to my PCP. He expects to see if taking me off potassium and the aldactone lowered my potassium, but of course, I "cheated" because I couldn't figure out what else to do to alleviate the discomfort.
I also have sleep apnea, for which I wear a dental device to help nighttime breathing.
I will be seeing my PCP later this afternoon, and will discuss all of this with him then. Is there anything I'm missing? I have looked at a lot of possibilities online as to what else could be going on, such as pulmonary embolism, kidney disease, etc. I also had a bloating episode two days ago, which caused me to go to urgent care. The doctor there did an EKG, which was normal, and decided to do a MRI of my stomach area. Nothing was found out of the ordinary. I feel like I'm at the mercy of doctors now, because I don't know what's causing these incidents. Any help would be appreciated.
Brief Answer:
low potassium possible adrenal gland problem
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.
I am concerned after reading your narrative that you continue to have low potassium levels despite taking both potassium supplements and aldactone. The aldactone alone should be enough to elevate your potassium levels as this medication is a potassium sparing diuretic. If you need to continue to take potassium supplements then your body is excreting abnormally high amounts of potassium. This is sometimes related to an adrenal gland disorder. I would recommend that your doctor check your potassium levels, cortisol levels and possibly a CT scan of the adrenal glands.
I hope this helps. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns and questions
low potassium possible adrenal gland problem
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.
I am concerned after reading your narrative that you continue to have low potassium levels despite taking both potassium supplements and aldactone. The aldactone alone should be enough to elevate your potassium levels as this medication is a potassium sparing diuretic. If you need to continue to take potassium supplements then your body is excreting abnormally high amounts of potassium. This is sometimes related to an adrenal gland disorder. I would recommend that your doctor check your potassium levels, cortisol levels and possibly a CT scan of the adrenal glands.
I hope this helps. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns and questions
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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