What Are High Levels Of Potassium

Hello, I am on 20mg of Potassium CL my last blood draw was 4.6 or higher? I am a bit worried about taking 20mg. I know, the level should not exceed 5. If, you do take too much, does your body rid itself of what it does not need. Any help would be appreciated, my doctor of out of town. Thank you. btw when I started taking the prescription my level was 3.1. ## Hello, Debra! How are you? No, your body does not. It tends to build up and both levels too high or too low can be dangerous and could cause heart problems and elevated blood pressure, as explained by the NIH. However, 4.6 puts you right in the safe range, so you should follow your doctor's instructions and make sure they are monitoring you regularly. Is there anything else I can help with? ## Hello, Thank you so much, for respo...

2 REPLIES

whats a danger level for potassium ## Normal potassium levels are between 3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L. anything over 5.0 is considered Hyperkalemia and while something such as 5.1 or 5.2 isn't considered extremely dangerous, it is important to get to the root of what is causing the problem, so it doesn't get any worse. Elevated levels of potassium can cause abnormal hearth rhythms, which can result in heart attack and be fatal. Any time you have an elevated level, even a slight one, your doctor should discuss it with you and try to get to the root of what is causing the problem, such as another health problem, something you are eating, a supplement or another medication you may be taking. If it is reaching dangerous levels, there are often symptoms that give it away, such as fatigue, hear...

1 REPLY

I've been taking Klor-Con 10 MEQ for 4 days. How long until you get back to a normal potassium range? Thank you ahead of time for your help. ## It is hard to say, it really depends on how low your level was and how your body responds to the supplement. Generally, when I had to take it, I showed improvement after about a week, but we are all different. The FDA warns that it can be very harsh on the stomach, so it should be taken with food, not on an empty stomach. How are you doing, now? Has there been any change? ## Thank you Verwon for responding. I think I feel better. My leg muscles feel stronger. But I am still dizzy. This happened due to my banking position being displaced and went with a high paying / heavy industrial job with Corning. Its hot, I sweat (12 hr shifts) and I hav...

2 REPLIES

I would like to know whether Telma H 80 can increase potassium levels in the blood? ## Hello, Sukumar! How are you? The Telmisartan in it has been known to do that, according to the U.S. FDA. How high has yours been? It's other side effects are listed as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache and dehydration.

1 REPLY

How much natural food that is high in potassium would i have to eat daily to equal the amount of 1 Klor-Con M10 ER 10MEQ tablet? ## You really couldn't eat that much of any of them. If your potassium was low enough for your doctor to prescribe this, you should take it, as directed, at least until you reach more normal levels. After that, using high potassium foods, such as oranges, orange juice, and potatoes can help keep it at a normal level. The FDA warns that Klor-Con can be very harsh on the stomach, so it should be taken with food, or a snack. Are you on any other medications?

1 REPLY

My blood test came back with high levels of potassium. I took Meloxicam, 15mg and am hoping that is the reason. I took it almost a week before the blood test ## Hello, SEC! How are you? How high was it? It really shouldn't cause it to be elevated a week after taking it. Are you on anything else that adds potassium? Do you eat a lot of foods that add it? Are you taking any supplements? Do you drink a lot of fortified drinks, like Gatorade? Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory that is used to treat pain, fever and swelling. Typical side effects may include nausea, dizziness, headache and stomach irritation.

1 REPLY

Can you take this medication if you have high sodium levels? ## Contraindications for Miralax indicate that you should check with your physician IF you have a low amount of Sodium in the blood OR a low amount of Potassium in the blood. It doesn't appear to state how this interaction affects the medication; but controversially, if one has a low amount of Potassium in the blood, their sodium tends to be high. This isn't always the case, but it would be good to check Potassium levels just to be sure. One way to help prevent this is to decrease your intake of sodium rich foods (mostly everything that is packaged or frozen) and increase your daily intake of fruits and vegetables; particularly dates, figs, and bananas that contain high amounts of Potassium. If you do have high sodium ...

1 REPLY

I take salt tablets during exercise due to the heat in the tropics & sweating. They have Potassium in them, they stop me cramping. Is there a problem or would I recognise it if there was? ## Hello, Adrian! How are you doing? Has your potassium level been checked? That is what would provide you with an answer. Levels that are too high or too low can be very dangerous. Thus, it's best to have it checked regularly, especially if you've been taking supplements that contain it. Is there anything else I can help with? ## Thanks, will do that.

2 REPLIES

The manufacturer has tripled the cost of this medication. Is there another substitute for this drug? ## is there a cheaper substitute for Potassium Cl 10 Meq Er Capsules ## My Dr. prescribed Potassium CL 10 MEQ ER to take one tablet each morning for night time leg cramps, but I am having extreme cramps in my toes and the tops of my feet. Also, I'm finding no circulation in my legs from the knee down. I no longer have a Dr. b/c I have no insurance and can't afford to pay for him any longer ## Unfortunately, there is no cheaper substitute, this is the generic for this potassium supplement and it's really the only high potency one that's available on the market to bring levels up fast, so they don't linger at the dangerous point. What I'd suggest everyone do is spea...

4 REPLIES

Just started taking theses. What are the signs of low potassium? and also high potassium? ## Hi sandi, Based on my research, it is said that there are often no symptoms associated higher levels of potassium. However, some of the symptoms that may occur include: Nausea, a slow or weak pulse, or even suddenly collapsing due to a slow heartbeat. Despite how freaky that may sound, it would take someone eating 75 bananas in just under a few minutes in order to experience on overdose of potassium. Hopefully that helps put things into perspective. As far as low potassium levels are concerned, symptoms of hypokalemia may include: Abnormal heart rhythms, constipation, fatigue, muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis), muscular weakness or spasms, or even Paralysis (which can include the lungs). For your o...

2 REPLIES

I take lisinopril twice daily (once at breakfast and once 12 hours later). You are not supposed to eat foods with lots of potassium while taking lisinopril, but how long can you safely wait AFTER taking the pill to safely eat high-potassium foods? I take metoprolol at the same time, and it must be taken with food. ## There is no safe time frame that can be quoted to you. It is just best to avoid them, as much as possible, and see your doctor regularly, so they can do blood work to check your levels, when appropriate, according to FDA directives. When your levels are checked, your doctor should be able to tell you if you need to continue avoiding such foods, or if you can indulge in them more. For example, after having suffered full congestive heart failure, it was discovered that my bod...

2 REPLIES

I was at work one day and my blood pressure dropped to 75/43 so I went to the hospital because I'm normally very healthy and I didn't feel right. So the doctor ran tests and said I have low potassium but didn't say how low just gave me a prescription to take one pill a day of potassium chloride 10meq for 14 days. But somebody was telling me that you can take too much potassium and it could be deadly. What I'm asking is do you think the dr prescribed the right amount for me? And should I follow up with a dr? Sorry my anxiety is getting the best of me just wanna ease my mind a little ## Levels of either too high and too low of potassium can both be fatal (that's why the MD gave you potassium chloride tabs to take). So, yes, you can take too much but if you were already...

1 REPLY

What are the side effects of Potassium Cl? ## My grandmother has been prescribed this medication (Potassium CL) and has discovered them completely whole in her bowel movements, why is this? ## Kimberly, when some medications are time released, the outer shell of the tablet is NOT meant to be digested and is just expelled as waste, however, the medication is still released and used by the body, just as it is supposed to be. Many of these types of medications will even carry warnings about this in the drug monographs. Side effects can include: high potassium levels, nausea, diarrhea and muscle weakness. Did you have any other questions? ## Mom has always taken K CR and now it is ER. What is the difference. I thought CR meant time release. ## Kimberly, I really doubt that answer. I Also ta...

14 REPLIES

potassium low. i take norvas, my doctor nurse called and told me to stop taking potassium, it was in my blood pressure medication. i have been taking noras for 15 years, in the last year , which a potassum pill was called in for me. never have they told me to stop. i do regular check up on my blood work. when my potassium is built up i stop the potassium. i dont want to have heart problems because my potassium running low. what is my answer? ## It is best to follow the instructions as provided by your doctor, having potassium levels that are too high can be just as dangerous as having potassium levels that are too low. The FDA lists the typical side effects of Norvasc as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, increased urination, and hypotension. How are you doing, now? Has the...

1 REPLY

I have been told to go on a low potassium diet after my blood test came back. I have no kidney issues. After researching high potassium foods I realized that I do have a diet high in potassium. My Dr. wants to retest in 5 days and I am to be on a low potassium diet. I would like to know how long potassium remains in the body. Is it like a water soluble vitamin which leaves daily? ## Potassium is just constantly processed, so your levels can raise or lower very fast. Learn more Potassium details here. There are a lot more details under the medical/biological section of the Wikipedia link that I posted that should explain it better. But basically, if you lower your intake, since it is constantly being processed, such as in your urine, your levels will lower pretty fast, since you aren...

14 REPLIES

Atere 3 months of Multaq, I began to run dangerously high potassium levels, not low! Any other similar experiences? ## It doesn't appear to be a very common occurrence, but a search I did turned up reports from 13 other people that have experienced hyperkalemia while taking Multaq. What did your doctor advise you to do? ## I started multaq Jan 2013, and started having high potassium levels a month later. I'm still on multaq and still have high potassium levels. Hoping to be able to get off the multaq soon. Had a catheter ablation in August 2013. ## Jimmy, I'm in a situation here, I used to take cymgen(symbalta) for a year and half. Though im off it now, i started tapering off in October last year and stop taking it altogether in January this year. My potassium is still low, ...

3 REPLIES

The emergency room dr prescribed me 20 of klor-con 20mg cause my potassium level was very low and i couldnt talk or move my body and my blood pressure was 160/100 and my pulse at 100 and i was tingling and numbness all over my body i couldnt even walk like i was paralized ## Hello, Tammy! How are you? I am so very sorry about what happened to you. Low potassium levels can be very dangerous and can cause many health issues, having levels that are too high can also be very dangerous. Potassium is something that must remain balanced between specific levels. In my case, my body does not store potassium, though we've never been able to figure out why, thus to keep mine up, my cardiologist has had to double up medications that can elevate my potassium levels. For most people, that could c...

3 REPLIES

I take amlodipine in the morning for high bp and a water pill, at night I take Losartan and Lorazepham and I am on flexeril and 5mg of percocet 3x day for back pain. My BP is so high at night I can feel the heart beat in my fingertips and i lay awake for hours. I read where if I take potassium at night it will help to lower my BP. Is this true and if so, could it eliminate my BP meds at night. doc says it is stress related and rises when I am in pain. ## Hello, Shar! How are you? You should not take potassium, in addition to the Losartan, unless your doctor specifically says you should, because Losartan can also raise your potassium levels and building up too much of it in your body can be very dangerous. Have you actually checked your blood pressure at night, or are you just assuming i...

1 REPLY

Antibiotic information on Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium ## Ok I know this is probably the wrong place to past this question and ask for answers. But I love to help people on this site and I am hoping some one on here will help me out. Here is the problem: I went to the doctor yesterday and I got my Tetnus shot and i got a full blood panel done. The routine. I got my results back today and I am shocked and scared. In fact, I found this out 3 hours ago and I still feel numb and stupified. My enzyme levels in my liver are pretty high. Higher than they shoud be. And my doc wants me back in a month for a Hepatitis test. I am very concerned and I was wondering if there is anything that can cause enzyme leves to be high that doesnt involve Hep. or any other life threatening diseases. I am ...

7 REPLIES

I was just given antenolol chlorthalidone 1per day and Potassium cl 10 MEQ ER i tab. per day my potassium level is fine but when i was on the antenolol before my potassium level dropped so they don't want that to happen so will taking this potassium pill result in high levels is it safe to take i am 70 yrs old ## Hello, Dorothy! How are you? Adding potassium is often necessary when someone is taking this medication, since the Chlorthalidone is a diuretic that removes excess fluid from the body. So, you should take it according to your doctors instructions and just make sure that they are checking your levels regularly, via a blood sample. Is there anything else I can help with?

1 REPLY