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Blood Test Shows Low Potassium And Electrolyte Level. Feel Weak, Nauseated, Dizzy, Muscle Cramps. Help
I recently got a call from my doctor about blood work I had done this morning and they say my potassium levels and electrolytes are dangerously low. I have been having kidney issues, take a prescription dose of potassium 1500mcg per day and its still way too low. I have stopped the diuretic the urologist gave me and I have trippled my dose of potassium per doctors request. I wanted to know what is normal and is there anything I can eat that would help raise my levels faster. I am weak, nauseated and very dizzy.. muscle cramps ..and feel aweful..I will do anything to get to a better place but I need to know what the normal level is to get myself back to the safe zone.
Mon, 13 Aug 2012
hello.yes your symptoms are typical of hypokalemia.diuretics and few other drugs cause or worsen hypokalemia.what kind of kidney issues you have?and how old are you?
it is very important to get yourself thoroughly evaluated and investigated as there are very rare diseases which give rise to low potassium levels but your case looks as if the cause is diuretics which is a very common cause provided your previous potassium leves were normal.
persistent vomiting also causes such symptoms.
normal potassium levels vary from lab to lab but any level below 3.5 mEq/L needs evaluation and if grossly low between 2-3 or less might even require parenteral correction.
so it is important to know the levels and corelate with your symptoms.
severe hypokalemia can be fatal.
all the best.
it is very important to get yourself thoroughly evaluated and investigated as there are very rare diseases which give rise to low potassium levels but your case looks as if the cause is diuretics which is a very common cause provided your previous potassium leves were normal.
persistent vomiting also causes such symptoms.
normal potassium levels vary from lab to lab but any level below 3.5 mEq/L needs evaluation and if grossly low between 2-3 or less might even require parenteral correction.
so it is important to know the levels and corelate with your symptoms.
severe hypokalemia can be fatal.
all the best.
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