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Potassium - what about different types?
Thru personal trial with the types of Magnesium (many) I have learned some work, and do absolutely nothing. You get what you pay for. So I'm applying that same lesson to Potassium.
Potassium is good for nerves and muscles (supposedly) just like Mag which good for Hashimoto hypothyroid individuals like myself as is can relieve muscle and lower extremity tightness , aches in the feet and legs.
So instead of spending $ on trial and error, what does anyone know about pros / cons of different Potassium? And have you ever seen it sublingual , I have not seen it yet in a store. I'm thinking sublingual will not interfere with thyroid med absorbion in the stomach ( a concern).
Potassium Iodide is not good for a Hashimoto thyroid, regular hypothyroid its ok for. As a form of Iodine it can inflame a 'Hashi' thyroid and the thyroid RAPIDLY absorbs this in all people.
Interesting but sad fact: Potassium Iodide is stocked by governments and arm forces world wide in case of nuclear fallout, as radiation cannot displace potassium iodide in the thyroid gland, and the thyroid is the first gland to die from radiation. One Baltic State disbursed this to people (if they cared) after Chernobyl and it worked. Another interesting thyroid note: synthetic Levothyroxine was developed for / by the US government in the 40's as a response to it own atomic / nuclear advancements - because if all pigs could possibly be dead, what would we do to treat dying thyroids? Sad but true.
So on a happier note, who knows what about different potassium from personal experience here?
COMMUNITY LEADER
In my reading, I came across an article that explained the 99 mg issue. It's to do with the FDA and safe levels; I can go back and try to find the link, later on.
Yes, potassium is an electrolyte and would be pretty essential for athletes because of the sweating and possibility of dehydration, which would cause the cramping.
Last time my potassium levels were tested was 5/6/08, with a result of 4.0 (range 3.5-5.3). Potassium has to be balanced with sodium and chloride. My levels of both of those were high in their ranges.
Of course, we all know that tests done more than 2 yrs ago, are not relevant today. I've since changed pcp's and the one I currently have, has "tunnel vision" and only focuses on cholesterol.
I did take the one capsule yesterday afternoon, and I did NOT wake up with either the pounding heart or the muscle cramps that I get in my feet/legs almost every night. I agree that potassium is hard to get rid of, if levels get too high; I won't be taking it on a daily basis, I know that.........
Yes, potassium is an electrolyte and would be pretty essential for athletes because of the sweating and possibility of dehydration, which would cause the cramping.
Last time my potassium levels were tested was 5/6/08, with a result of 4.0 (range 3.5-5.3). Potassium has to be balanced with sodium and chloride. My levels of both of those were high in their ranges.
Of course, we all know that tests done more than 2 yrs ago, are not relevant today. I've since changed pcp's and the one I currently have, has "tunnel vision" and only focuses on cholesterol.
I did take the one capsule yesterday afternoon, and I did NOT wake up with either the pounding heart or the muscle cramps that I get in my feet/legs almost every night. I agree that potassium is hard to get rid of, if levels get too high; I won't be taking it on a daily basis, I know that.........
No need to be sorry, were learning here..
armywife92 does have a point about taking to much potassium. I read up and it is something hard to remove if we have too much of it. Most yearly blood physicals that are covered by insurance have potassium levels included. Just looked at my last one, I was around the 30 percentile into the range.
Most potassium brands seems to be an odd size of 99mg, one per day.
I never really thought of it as an electrolyte, why many endurance athletes use it to fend off calf cramp I guess. - Since calf cramps are a common sign of dehydration when being physically pushed.
Potassium, unlike Magnessium is more likely to be at proper levels with the average American. That is odd, since both come from fruits and veggies.......?
armywife92 does have a point about taking to much potassium. I read up and it is something hard to remove if we have too much of it. Most yearly blood physicals that are covered by insurance have potassium levels included. Just looked at my last one, I was around the 30 percentile into the range.
Most potassium brands seems to be an odd size of 99mg, one per day.
I never really thought of it as an electrolyte, why many endurance athletes use it to fend off calf cramp I guess. - Since calf cramps are a common sign of dehydration when being physically pushed.
Potassium, unlike Magnessium is more likely to be at proper levels with the average American. That is odd, since both come from fruits and veggies.......?
COMMUNITY LEADER
MY BAD.....and I'm so sorry............ I said that wrong -- should have said "I didn't know that *deficiency* causes heart issues"........ lack of potassium can cause heart issues, such as "misfiring", flutters, palps etc........ and can eventually cause death....
Potassium is an electrolyte, which must be in balance with sodium and other electrolytes. From what I understand it is involved the process of keeping us hydrated.
I actually stopped at the Vitamin Shoppe on my way home today and bought a bottle of potassium........ I took one capsule shortly after I got home, and I'm hoping that I won't wake up with the pounding awareness during the night OR the horrendous cramps in my toes/feet/legs -- but suspect it might take a few days.........
Will let you know......... sorry about my mistake....
Potassium is an electrolyte, which must be in balance with sodium and other electrolytes. From what I understand it is involved the process of keeping us hydrated.
I actually stopped at the Vitamin Shoppe on my way home today and bought a bottle of potassium........ I took one capsule shortly after I got home, and I'm hoping that I won't wake up with the pounding awareness during the night OR the horrendous cramps in my toes/feet/legs -- but suspect it might take a few days.........
Will let you know......... sorry about my mistake....
Causes heart issues? Hmm ? Never heard it that way.
My bottle on Potassium Gluconate says for "healthy heart and circulation".
confused.
My bottle on Potassium Gluconate says for "healthy heart and circulation".
confused.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Been doing some research on potassium -- didn't know it caused heart issues; can't help wonder if that's what's causing this "awareness" that I've been having again lately?
Thinking about starting a supplement just to see if it works........
Was looking at the vitamin/mineral supplements provided by my doctor - haven't taken them because I had large bottles of vitamins/minerals already and wanted to use them up - BUT the multi that my doctor wants me to take has potassium iodide...... was thinking of starting them when I run out of my others; now, I'm not so sure.
Thinking about starting a supplement just to see if it works........
Was looking at the vitamin/mineral supplements provided by my doctor - haven't taken them because I had large bottles of vitamins/minerals already and wanted to use them up - BUT the multi that my doctor wants me to take has potassium iodide...... was thinking of starting them when I run out of my others; now, I'm not so sure.
I know this. I have a friend who is a dialysis tech and she says that having high potassium can be critical if not fatal b/c there is no way to rid your body of potassium the way you can other minerals/nutrients. She said that the ones who have really high potassium end up terminal or dying I'm sure it has to be an enormous amt and I am aware that her patients have kidney disease and aren't necesarily considered ''healthy'', but it's relevant, I think.
Any abnormally high levels (very high) of a specific mineral is not good. Magnesium, potassium, zinc and calcium are all essential for proper body functioning and work with each other. Remember -minerals and vitamins are two different things. But no one talks about Potassium here - its just not a popular mineral at the moment. Calcium is always popular (beyond thyroidians) with its relation to bone strength (popular subject). But guess what - taking to much calcium can be dangerous (very high levels) and it depletes Magnesium. It all works together.
When I was in a thyroid storm my potassioum was critically low. The hospital got it back to where it should be but I also bought some(can't remember the brand) and take it periodically.It's capsule form and stinks lol. I don't take it everyday b/c I've heard high potassium is dangerous.
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