Thryroid and potassium

I have been reading other people's posts and, compared to the difficulties many people have, I feel very fortunate. My thyroid problems started with being hyper with a goiter. After surgery, I required no medication for 10 years. Then I became hypo, which was well-controlled on 0.1 mg of levothyroxine for nearly 20 years. Two years ago, I had a thyroid storm and my dosage was dropped from 0.1 to 0.088. At my regular check-up last month, I complained of the sleepies. Because of that and my thyroid levels, the doctor decided to increase the dosage and I have just started alternate days of 0.1 and 0.088. It's too early to have an effect, but from past history I expect to be OK.

Now to my question. At the check-up, my potassium level was slightly high (I don't know numbers). A re-test confirmed this elevated level. Does anyone know if a high level of potassium could be related to the hypothyroid?

[Shebah]

Higher than normal potassium levels in the blood, with symptoms of nausea, diarrhea, muscle weakness and, if severe, heart abnormalities; occurs in kidney problems and sometimes as an adverse effect following diuretic use.  

[genelady]

Hi Shebah,

Thanks very much for your response. Thank goodness I don't have all those other dire symptoms, just the elevated potassium level. My doctor is checking for kidney problems but we don't think there are any. That is why I was wondering if anyone knew of a link between thryoid and potassium. Maybe there isn't a link, and I'm just unusual!

[genelady]

Thank you for writing to me. As I said, I have had a malfunctioning thyroid for 30 years, but it has been so well controlled with medication that I never had to think about it. Now I'm learning about all the things that people on this board know so much about!

In Dec. 2005, my antibodies were normal. At my most recent check-up, the doctor just said that I was undermedicated and upped the dose of levothyroxine (I'm feeling better already). He didn't say anything about the antibody level, so probably it was OK, but I'll ask when I phone his office to get other levels. Thank you for the link to info about potassium - lots to think about.

[utahmomma]

I've looked and can't find any specific link between thyroid and potassium but there are links to autoimmune problems and potassium (and of course, the thyroid is subject to autoimmune problems too).  Have your antibodies been checked??

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/001179.htm

[abl]

Have you ever looked into Iodine Deficiency?  This is a new discovery in medicine as to what might be ailing so many of us.  I for one do not get enough iodine in m diet, I am a cook and only use Kosher salt ( which has no iodine), and for years thought I would still be getting enough becasue it's supposed to be in other foods.  But the bread industries swithched to Bromide in the 80's, and the dairy industry no longer uses iodine.  I also drink a ton of water from my tap, that has flouride in it, and apparently flouride blocks the absorption of iodine.

Just a thought, but I have been in shock and awe since reading an article on the web about iodine deficieny.  If your interested in this article look up, www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller20.html, there is a lot of info on breast health, but it all goes back to iodine and that effects our thyroids!  Fascinating articles!

Happy reading & good luck!

[genelady]

Lots to think about! Up to last week, I had never thought about potassium, or whether it might be related to thyroid. Now I'm finding that everything seems to be connected to everything else, so maybe iodine has a role here, too. I'm taking notes of everybody's suggestions to discuss next time I see my doctor. Thanks for your comments.