What Does My Blood Test Report?

Posted on Mon, 11 Jul 2016

Question: A recent blood test indicated that my potassium is high (5.8). I do not have underlying kidney, high blood glucose or heart problems. What are some reasons my potassium level is high?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
there are more potential causes

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I'll mention some more potential causes and suggest a diagnostic approach.

First of all hemolysis has to be excluded. The lab should note that in the report. Hemolysis causes the potassium to be falsely elevated (it's elevated only in this particular specimen).

Commonly used drugs that may cause hyperkalemia and have to be identified include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotension receptor blocker, potassium sparing diuretics, etc.

Potassium supplementation has to be excluded by checking your supplements (if you take any) for potassium content.

Cortisol and aldosterone assays may help to diagnose Addison's disease.

Muscular damage (rhabodmyolysis) is an important cause that can be documented by measuring the serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK).

I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (27 minutes later)

Unfortunately, the "standard XXXXXXX diet" applies to me. Don't eat fruit and vegetables very often. My diet is pretty acidic. I also drink 2 glasses of wine most evenings which I understand is also acidic. Besides the causes you listed above, would my acidic diet cause my potassium to be high. I also take Lisinopril for high blood pressure and my blood pressure has been perfectly controlled for years. Would taking 20 mg of Lisinopril suddenly cause high potassium after so many years? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
no unless your renal function got worse

Detailed Answer:
You're welcome and thanks for the additional info!

Your diet does not sound like a good enough reason for high potassium. The quantity of potassium in food is so low that its contribution to high potassium is doubtful, unless you eat a lot of potassium containing food (like bananas or tomatoes). But I mean a lot of them!

Lisinopril may increase potassium levels but it's expected to do so when starting it or when the renal function gets worse. Unless your renal function (estimated GFR for example) got worse, it shouldn't be considered as a cause.

Kind Regards!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar