Aa
blood test
i had my blood took for an iron and potassium check cause they are usally low the said this time they was elavated whats this mean and is it serious I go back in two weeks to have checked again what can they do for it
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Without a complete history, physical exam, lab review and medication list, I can’t give you an exact diagnosis or treatment plan. Since you haven’t mentioned anything, I am assuming you’re a relatively healthy patient without diabetes and without anything wrong with your kidneys (your creatinine is normal?) and without any abnormality on the EKG.
Usually, in these cases of a young healthy person, the most common cause of an isolated elevated potassium level is “pseudohyperkalemia” or spurious hyperkalemia. Potassium is a major ion of the body. Nearly 98% of potassium is intracellular, meaning contained within the cells of the body. What happens is that during the blood draw or in the laboratory tube, some of the cells rupture, leaking potassium into the serum. This causes a high value of potassium to be measured in the serum, which doesn’t necessarily reflect what is truly in your extra-cellular space.
Therefore you may consider eating a low-potassium diet (potassium is present in bananas, oranges, high-protein diets, tomatoes, salt substitutes) and avoiding any medications such as NSAIDs prior to getting your potassium level redrawn in a couple weeks. Diet and some medications can contribute to an acutely elevated potassium level.
Usually, in these cases of a young healthy person, the most common cause of an isolated elevated potassium level is “pseudohyperkalemia” or spurious hyperkalemia. Potassium is a major ion of the body. Nearly 98% of potassium is intracellular, meaning contained within the cells of the body. What happens is that during the blood draw or in the laboratory tube, some of the cells rupture, leaking potassium into the serum. This causes a high value of potassium to be measured in the serum, which doesn’t necessarily reflect what is truly in your extra-cellular space.
Therefore you may consider eating a low-potassium diet (potassium is present in bananas, oranges, high-protein diets, tomatoes, salt substitutes) and avoiding any medications such as NSAIDs prior to getting your potassium level redrawn in a couple weeks. Diet and some medications can contribute to an acutely elevated potassium level.
elevated potassium can cause you to have fatal arrhythmia. go to the hospital now
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