HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Low Potassium Levels Due To Bulimia

I know potassium levels can be low when u are bulimic but can someone tell me... If you are taken to hospital coz u faint and they find ur potassium levels are low... What do they do? Thanks i mean like.. how do they test you? Do they know ur bulimic? etc etc How long do they keep u in hopsital for? And how long dya have the drip in? x
Sat, 19 Dec 2009
Report Abuse
  User's Response
's  Response
Are you asking how do they bring your potassium levels back to normal or how do they diagnose Bulima? I'll assume the latter. Bulimia is diagnosed upon symptoms and behaviour. Chemical imbalances such as low potassium is often the result of repeated vomiting. If your levels are low (hypokalemia), you will be given potassium. There are the key features of bulimia which Drs look out for:- Intense preoccupation with body weight and shape. Repetitive episodes of binge eating Binge eating reinforces people's fear of becoming fat and leads to a cycle of repeated counteractive extreme weight control behaviour, such as: Self induced vomiting Laxative and diuretic abuse Fasting Excessive exercise. Treatment aims at solving the underlying problem. Cognitive behaviour therapy for bulimia nervosa (CBT-BN), is a specifically adapted for people with bulimia nervosa. Depending on age, you might be given an SSRI too.
  User's Response
Poppy's  Response

I suffer from bulimia and am having weekly blood tests to check my pottasium levels. A normal level is between 3.5 and 7. If you are bulimic you must get your pottasium levels checked by a Doctor as it is very dangerous if it gets too low. Mine dropped to 2.2, I needed to go in to hospital and have an IV drip which brought my levels back up, however this is only temporary, so I need to take pottsium ssupplements to increase the store in my body. Please do see a Doctor if you are concerned, there is nothing to be embarrased about, they will not put you under pressure but it is definitely not something worth risking. 
  User's Response
Poppy's  Response

Sorry that should have said normal levels are between 3.5 and 5.5.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Bulimia nervosa


Loading Online Doctors....
Low Potassium Levels Due To Bulimia

Are you asking how do they bring your potassium levels back to normal or how do they diagnose Bulima? I ll assume the latter. Bulimia is diagnosed upon symptoms and behaviour. Chemical imbalances such as low potassium is often the result of repeated vomiting. If your levels are low (hypokalemia), you will be given potassium. There are the key features of bulimia which Drs look out for:- Intense preoccupation with body weight and shape. Repetitive episodes of binge eating Binge eating reinforces people s fear of becoming fat and leads to a cycle of repeated counteractive extreme weight control behaviour, such as: Self induced vomiting Laxative and diuretic abuse Fasting Excessive exercise. Treatment aims at solving the underlying problem. Cognitive behaviour therapy for bulimia nervosa (CBT-BN), is a specifically adapted for people with bulimia nervosa. Depending on age, you might be given an SSRI too.