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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Low Potassium Level With Diabetes?

I take 5mg bendroflumethiazide ,5mg amlodipine and 16 mg candesartan as a replacement for valsartan ,on a blood test yesterday my doctor phoned this morning to say I had low potassium levels and that had better stop the bendroflumethiazide. I am also type 2 diabetic which I have controlled by diet for 5years, I am 70 years old and still very fit 5 11 in height and weigh 14 St 4 lb
Thu, 17 Jul 2014
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  User's Response
Thanks for posting your concern in the HCM. Your doctor has correctly advised you to stop the thiazide diuretic. If you have volume overload with hypertension and low potassium you may be put on some potassium sparing diuretics if at all needed . But they must be judicially used with ACEI or ARBs. For the time being you should have fruit juice and your doctor may advise you potassium supplements depending upon the test result. I think the thiazide diuretic here caused this problem . In case you feel any palpitation or have bkackouts, immediately report to your doctor and get an ECG done. Low potassium depending upon the level sometimes causes arrhythmia. Be careful about that . For any further information please write back. Regards. Dr. Kaushik
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What Causes Low Potassium Level With Diabetes?

Thanks for posting your concern in the HCM. Your doctor has correctly advised you to stop the thiazide diuretic. If you have volume overload with hypertension and low potassium you may be put on some potassium sparing diuretics if at all needed . But they must be judicially used with ACEI or ARBs. For the time being you should have fruit juice and your doctor may advise you potassium supplements depending upon the test result. I think the thiazide diuretic here caused this problem . In case you feel any palpitation or have bkackouts, immediately report to your doctor and get an ECG done. Low potassium depending upon the level sometimes causes arrhythmia. Be careful about that . For any further information please write back. Regards. Dr. Kaushik