Hello dbkita,
I am exibiting symptoms of low potassium, but here is the tricky part. I had a test done for serum potassium which was 4 and just got a test back from Doctors Data showing very high potassium in RBC. The reference range for RBC K by Doctors data is 70-90 meq/L and my level is 90. What is going on? I am scared to supplement potassium, even though it somewhat reduces the worst palpitations. I am very conservative in supplementing high doses with these test results. I am having LBP (85/50) and high heart rate around 110. It is always worst after awakening and it continues until the afternoon. In the evenings it settles somewhat and I am able to move around. I am suspecting adrenals ( taking adrenal glandulars for 3 weeks now and not seeing any change) and Thyroid esp. aldosterone. In the morning I feel I have the fight and flight response.
My latest TSH went up from 2.5 to 3.3. My TPO antibodies went from 50 to 90. I have a small nodule on my thyroid since the onset of illness ( Lyme, coinfections, immune disfunction in 2002) I am compound hetero C677T/A1298C. At this point I don't know what to do to get relief. This started after I was supplementing 2.5 mg every second day B12 Mcb injection for 2 and a half months with 1/4 or later 1/2 of a Folapro. I wasn't suplementing potassium at that time , but I was taking multi minerals with potassium in it.I stopped the methyl B12 anf Folapro two months ago, since the symptoms were and are unbearable. I don't know where to take it next. My 23andme as well as the Yasko panel will be ready maybe in 3 weeks. Any wisdom out there?
It sounds like you have a lot of things going on and not being a medical doctor I am not sure what I can say that will be of any help.
Are you seeing a LLMD for your lyme's? Have you had a RT3 measurement. Something is up with your thyroid but you need a doctor to assess that especially given your nodule. Are the TPO antibodies high or high normal? If so that is a real concern.
That range on Doctor's Data is shifted. Not sure if it is specific to their test or their calibration. On Labcorp the range is 82-100 mEq / L. But you have to go with the range they give for their test. I tend to sit at the bottom of the Labcorp range for example (i.e. 82-84). I would personally not be that worried about a high normal intracellular potassium.
Many things can cause palpitations. But I can't advise you on whether to take potassium or not as a supplement. This is strictly the province of a doctor, sorry. It is simply too complex with all your CV symptoms. You have REALLY low blood pressure. True hyperkalemia and hypokalemia have similar effects on the heart with palpitations and arrythmia, etc. But your serum value is totally in the normal range. I would suggest finding out how much total potassium you ingest in food and supplements each day so you have a baseline.
Palpitations can come from issues with thyroid especially with nodules. But your low bp AND palpitations and high pulse are a cause for concern. I assume your body almost has to be on fight of flight response to overcome that low BP.
Have you had a full CV workup? You say these symptoms only occurred recently?
Like I said this is the realm of doctors. I would think long hard about a full CV and endocrinological workup. Are you on lots of medications for the co-infections? Some of those Lyme's medications and supplements all by themselves can cause palpitations, etc. Does your LLMD or equivalent know what your CV state is like?
Sorry all I have is quesitons, no answers really.