Hypokalemia

[cfsfaithhopelove]

My friend keeps on returning to the hospital due to low potassium that is effecting her heart. She has low magnesium too. She loses it overnight. If you know any insight or doctors on the west coast please comment.
Thank you
Praying for you all!
Blessings!

 

[Judee]

Is she on some medications that could be creating these issues for her? Meds like Lasix (Furosemide) can cause electrolyte imbalances. Licorice can also lower potassium.

 

[cfsfaithhopelove]

I think she started steroids a week ago. I’ll pass on the knowledge thank you!

 

[junkcrap50]

There is something called “hypomagnesemia induced hypokalemia”.

Magnesium deficiency can exacerbate potassium deficiency by causing potassium wasting. And you can’t replenish any potassium until you fix your magnesium deficiency.

Just a possibility.

 

[Sushi]

Is she on some medications that could be creating these issues for her? Meds like Lasix (Furosemide) can cause electrolyte imbalances. Licorice can also lower potassium.

Also Fludrocortisone which is often prescribed to dysautonomia patients.

 

[Neunistiva]

I too have constantly low potassium for years, even while supplementing with prescription potassium powder.

I am not on any medication that should be able to reduce potassium. On the contrary, I am taking beta-blockers which should increase potassium levels.

My magnesium serum and urine level are slightly elevated, so it's not that either.

I have IBS-D but only small amount of potassium is excreted through stool, most is excreted through urine.

I have no idea why I have hypokalemia.

 

[Hip]

If you know any insight

Potassium blood level is controlled by the hormone aldosterone. High aldosterone can cause low potassium levels.

Fludrocortisone is a synthetic hormone which works like aldosterone.

High doses of B12 can also cause low potassium.

 

[Neunistiva]

Potassium blood level is controlled by the hormone aldosterone. High aldosterone can cause low potassium levels.

Fludrocortisone is a synthetic hormone which works like aldosterone.

High doses of B12 can also cause low potassium.

I had aldosterone/renin ratio test and it was normal. Normal CBC, normal levels of B12 and serum homocysteine.

 

[Jyoti]

I had aldosterone/renin ratio test and it was normal. Normal CBC, normal levels of B12 and serum homocysteine.

Same here. My potassium levels fluctuate a lot but do dip down into hypokalemic territory from time to time, and I often have to supplement with Rx potassium. No one has ever been able to figure out why. It is scary to lose so much so quickly as your friend @cfsfaithhopelove. It feels awful too. I hope she can get some answers and/or at least find a way to retain a safe level of both potassium and magnesium.

 

[cfsfaithhopelove]

thank you guys! I appreciate the info & I know she does also

 

[Busson]

I too have constantly low potassium for years, even while supplementing with prescription potassium powder.

... ... ...

I have no idea why I have hypokalemia.

@Jyoti @Neunistiva When hypokalemia becomes severe it can cause profound muscle stiffness which results in pain on stretching muscles resulting in a mild form of paralysis. Many of those who suffer from this "Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis" can trace it back to a genetic defect although there are other possible causes too.

 

[Neunistiva]

When hypokalemia becomes severe it can cause profound muscle stiffness which results in pain on stretching muscles resulting in a mild form of paralysis. Many of those who suffer from this "Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis" can trace it back to a genetic defect although there are other possible causes too.

Yeah, severe hypokalemia has many symptoms, including death, but luckily I caught it before it became severe and with prescription supplements I'm only mildly hypokalemic.

At least, my plasma levels are low, who knows, my cells might have normal levels...

I never suffered from paralysis.

 

[Judee]

There is also something called Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis. (Too much potassium.)

How confusing is that?