Managing Potassium Deficiency - Share your experience

[chrism]

So I had a LOT of heart flutters/irregular heartbeats. I was trying the Freddd protocol and I couldn't tell if it was related or separate and it drove me nuts. So I stopped his protocol, had a crash, and started focusing on a slow approach with a good consistent diet (food every 1-2 hours, electrolytes drinks, and anxiety medication. I don't think Freddds protocol made it any different in hindsight, as I had it happen before and after trying his protocol. However I realized that his deficiencies are different than mine. Even if we have a lot of overlap. I'm also half his age, so dosing and reactions can be very different.

I used to get super dizzy and even wake up with heart palpitations and trouble breathing. Some might have been anxiety, obviously there was a root cause though. None of that happens for me now. I highly recommend consistent food and electrolytes. Food can give you what you need without knowing what you need. I tolerate Folate veggies fine, if I eat a lot I do get camping though (low potassium).

The heart issues continued until a few weeks of electrolytes and multivitamin. I had a x-rays, holter monitor, and ECG but the doctor's never saw any red flags. It's really weird to feel like you are dying yet test regular on everything. You could still get the testing done to just confirm nothing major is visible.

I was told by one doctor to consider emotional trauma therapy. See if it helps. That upset me a lot since it felt like I was being ignored. I've had panic attacks throughout my whole life so it's not unusual for everyone to think I'm over reacting.

You aren't crazy, even if doctor's don't understand what is happening. Another thing to keep in mind is that regular doctors are not experts in nutrition, anemia, etc. They don't have in depth knowledge on vitamin interactions.

 

[TinaT]

I've spent the day trying to learn about Vit A toxicity and liver. This is yet another conundrum. I thought I would share a few details, just in case anyone else is interested in what I discovered.

This nutritionist (who sounds reasonably smart and makes some good points) says that liver is bad bc of Vit A toxicity:

Vit A toxicity sounds nasty and yet another really concerning problem that none of us want to have. I've been eating about 1/2 c. of liver, every other day or every few days, for several weeks. She also claims that the half life of Vit A in the body, from various sources, is anywhere from 12 days to 200-300 days. Another "oh joy" moment. And -- the fun part -- of course blood tests aren't accurate for whatever reason.

But then Dr. Berg says that liver is the best food:

He specifically says that synthetic vitamins aren't good, and cause their own problems in the body, which is why he likes liver as the *best* source for B12 and folate (and several other cofactors). He also says that Vit A toxicity is not a concern based on several studies, which he mentions but doesn't link.

Here's info from the first study I could find:

"Normal doses of vitamin A are not associated with liver injury or liver test abnormalities, but higher doses (generally more than 40,000 IU daily, ~12,000 μg) can be toxic. Acute toxicity is caused by a single or a few repeated very high doses (generally >100 times the RDA), arising within days to weeks with a typical symptom complex of severe headache, nausea, vertigo, blurred vision, muscle aches and lack of coordination, followed by skin desquamation and alopecia. Severe overdose can cause increased cerebral spinal fluid pressure, progressive drowsiness and coma. Chronic hypervitaminosis A usually arises 3 months to many years after starting moderately high levels of vitamin A (generally 10 times the RDA) and is marked by dry skin, cheilosis, gingivitis, muscle and joint pains, fatigue, mental dullness, depression and liver test abnormalities. Serum bilirubin is typically only mildly elevated. Serum aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels are variably increased, but usually only 1 to 4 times the upper limit of normal. Serum vitamin A levels are typically, but not invariably elevated."

"While high doses of vitamin A are usually achieved by vitamin A supplements, hypervitaminosis A can also occur with excessive dietary intake of liver, particularly that of carnivores (bears, seals, dogs) or salt-water fish (cod liver oil)."

Source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548165/

Here is the USDA on nutritional info regarding liver:

https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168626/nutrients

This says beef liver is 8020 ug (kinda hard to tell bc the title is actually "Beef, variety meats and by-products, liver, cooked, braised.") That would be LESS than the study above says would cause problems on a daily basis. The nutritionist above has a graphic (attached) saying that 3.5 oz of beef liver has 4968 mcgs of Vit A (which she says is bad). I would tend to trust her numbers, but is that amount going to lead to Vit A toxicity?

And what if Dr. Berg is right, that the BEST source of B12, folate, cofactors, etc., IS liver? And that synthetic vitamins cause problems? Kinda regardless.

But, heck, I mean who wants to risk this kind of damage on unclear information? It's really hard to know what to do.

 

[TinaT]

I highly recommend consistent food and electrolytes.

I totally agree with this, except I am not sure food will give you enough B12 if you have a deficiency that is causing serious neuro symptoms. Also, I really am extremely frustrated that I can't take any electrolyte drinks. They are all too acidic. That really, really sucks for me!

But I came into this B12 world because I have lived with about a year and a half of debilitating reflux. I have been sleeping sitting up and wearing a neck collar, can barely eat anything, and was taking high dose pepsid + reflux gourmet. I had a constellation of other symptoms that just were totally abnormal for me. I am sure I have developed some level of anxiety. But I just knew that this was more. Much more. The reflux was destroying my life (and still is).

Like @Freddd , my reflux was basically gone after one shot (proving to the idiot doctors that my reflux was NOT anxiety -- even though they will never see the proof -- and one doc told me that the B12 shots were causing a placebo effect -- Jesus Christ does their ignorance ever end??-- I have taken countless supplements and meds over the last year -- you would think the placebo effect would have already cured me if I was so inclined). HOWEVER, it seems like low potassium or something is making the reflux come back in a different way. At least I don't still need antacids (thank God). But I'm getting close at times. Drinking potassium usually helps the reflux. It's just extremely frustrating bc I thought it was gone now the potassium thing made it come back. I just don't want to OD on potassium (plus too much potassium, for me, worsens tinnitus, and I strongly believe that damage can become permanent if allowed to continue -- tinnitus is a red flag warning in the body IMHO). And I think I would need more potassium if I started taking more methylfolate.

 

[caledonia]

Your comments are always helpful.

I'm struggling with potassium after methyl B12 shots followed by a multi with methylfolate and an iron pill with methylfolate.

I've decided to stop the multi for now. Still thinking about the iron bc I'm low so consider that almost as important as the B12.

I wonder whether we really need methylfolate to handle the B12.

But my question for you: would you mind sharing what brand of potassium / magnesium you're taking?

Thank you!!

Hi,
Boy, that is an old post from me!
I'm currently taking Now brand potassium gluconate, and Seeking Health brand magnesium malate.
I still can't take much in the way of B vitamins - I get mine from a bit of beef liver once a week.

 

[caledonia]

Hi. Where do you find the hair analysis? Do you know if that's backed up by studies as legit? I'm desperate to figure out whether I suddenly need much more potassium, yet levels come back as normal. I guess RCB (?) Potassium doesn't help. Or is it RSB? I'm losing it.. I'm not a chemist.

I'm doing the Cutler protocol, and it's been the best thing I've ever tried.

They have people take a hair test to see if they have mercury or other toxic metals making them sick.
The right hair test is the Doctors Data Toxic and Essential Elements.

There is a trick to interpreting the hair test - if you have mercury, it will probably ironically show low in the Toxic section. So a face value reading of the test can throw people off into thinking they don't have mercury, when they actually do.

Mercury will mess up your minerals, which will show in the bottom (Essential Elements) section.
Andy Cutler worked with a statistician to come up with "Cutler's Counting Rules" to determine if the minerals are messed up.

If you decide to get a hair test, you can have the moderator at the Cutler Facebook group interpret the test for you for free. There is more info you can pull out of the test like thyroid or adrenal issues, etc.

To answer your question about why your potassium/an or other electrolytes might be messed up - it could very possibly be due to mercury and/or other toxic metals.

ps. if you read the very long Freddd thread on this forum, you will see that Freddd also has a history of mercury exposure. While it's possible to take zillions of supplements and at least somewhat offset the effects of mercury, the real way to get better is to get the mercury out. For various very important reasons (like getting a lot worse), I suggest doing the Cutler chelation protocol, and not other chelation protocols.

I have links to Cutler groups, books, hair test, etc. in my signature link.

 

[TinaT]

To answer your question about why your potassium/an or other electrolytes might be messed up - it could very possibly be due to mercury and/or other toxic metals.

ps. if you read the very long Freddd thread on this forum, you will see that Freddd also has a history of mercury exposure. While it's possible to take zillions of supplements and at least somewhat offset the effects of mercury, the real way to get better is to get the mercury out. For

Thank you. I'll keep this in mind.

I'm pretty sure my electrolyte situation is being caused by B12 injections, bc I had no issues whatsoever with electrolytes before starting B12 injections one month ago. And I'm a distance runner who has logged countless miles in the Florida sun.

I appreciate the explanation though. It's good to know in case I run out of options to consider with some of my other symptoms. Thank you!

 

[caledonia]

Thank you. I'll keep this in mind.

I'm pretty sure my electrolyte situation is being caused by B12 injections, bc I had no issues whatsoever with electrolytes before starting B12 injections one month ago. And I'm a distance runner who has logged countless miles in the Florida sun.

I appreciate the explanation though. It's good to know in case I run out of options to consider with some of my other symptoms. Thank you!

I totally agree with this, except I am not sure food will give you enough B12 if you have a deficiency that is causing serious neuro symptoms. Also, I really am extremely frustrated that I can't take any electrolyte drinks. They are all too acidic. That really, really sucks for me!

But I came into this B12 world because I have lived with about a year and a half of debilitating reflux. I have been sleeping sitting up and wearing a neck collar, can barely eat anything, and was taking high dose pepsid + reflux gourmet. I had a constellation of other symptoms that just were totally abnormal for me. I am sure I have developed some level of anxiety. But I just knew that this was more. Much more. The reflux was destroying my life (and still is).

Like @Freddd , my reflux was basically gone after one shot (proving to the idiot doctors that my reflux was NOT anxiety -- even though they will never see the proof -- and one doc told me that the B12 shots were causing a placebo effect -- Jesus Christ does their ignorance ever end??-- I have taken countless supplements and meds over the last year -- you would think the placebo effect would have already cured me if I was so inclined). HOWEVER, it seems like low potassium or something is making the reflux come back in a different way. At least I don't still need antacids (thank God). But I'm getting close at times. Drinking potassium usually helps the reflux. It's just extremely frustrating bc I thought it was gone now the potassium thing made it come back. I just don't want to OD on potassium (plus too much potassium, for me, worsens tinnitus, and I strongly believe that damage can become permanent if allowed to continue -- tinnitus is a red flag warning in the body IMHO). And I think I would need more potassium if I started taking more methylfolate.

When my potassium goes low I also get loud ringing in the ears. It's just temporary and goes back to normal when I get my potassium levels back to normal.

However, I do normally have a bit of tinnitus. I can hear it at night when it's quiet. Tinnitus is a symptom of mercury.

 

[TinaT]

When my potassium goes low I also get loud ringing in the ears. It's just temporary and goes back to normal when I get my potassium levels back to normal.

Yes, definitely, I have this too. It's terrible. (Normally I have low grade Tinnitus just in one ear -- used to be catastrophic but that improved after surgery and recovery time -- but that bad ear gets WAY worse in that ear when I suspect low K.)

I also get what feels like paralyzed bowels.

And extreme tiredness / weakness like you can't stay awake.

Thirsty.

Muscle twitching / sometimes spasms.

Those are all low K symptoms. But I also get low BP (at the same time). That's been perplexing and has stopped me from taking K supplements.

I'm starting to believe low BP is a severe low K symptom. So I'm going to experiment again with a couple of alkaline electrolyte drinks I ordered. I drank about 600 mg of K this morning, planning to drink more later.

This has just kept me confused with this B12 / methylfolate / cofactors regimen.

 

[ironlion37]

Hi, I use Dr. Berg's electrolyte powder which has 1,000 mg of potassium/serving. It's the highest of any product on the market as far as I'm aware. I usually drink two drinks a day, one of them being at bedtime as the potassium helps me sleep. I like the orange flavor but it comes in other flavors as well.

https://hspdirectory.com/product/dr-bergs-electrolyte-powder/

 

[Aidan Walsh]

@linusbert these are the symptoms of high glucose:

Symptoms of hyperglycaemia include:

• increased thirst and a dry mouth
• needing to pee frequently
• tiredness
• blurred vision
• unintentional weight loss
• recurrent infections, such as thrush, bladder infections (cystitis) and skin infections

I definitely haven't gained weight. If anything, I'm going to the bathroom less often. I don't have blurred vision.

And most importantly -- no mention of the high and low blood pressure (seems low when it's worse -- I have read Mayo clinic docs saying BP can be variable and that is an emergency if caused by potassium). Also no mention of spikes in pulse rate. No mention of very noticeable and intense muscle twitching. No mention of constipation. I might be forgetting something. But these are all symptoms of low potassium, which symptoms I'm sure are either caused by the shots, or possibly other supplements like iron (constipation, but I only take every other day -- and those weren't causing constipation before the shot).

So basically the low potassium symptoms line up much better. And the high glucose would not explain the most concerning symptoms related to my heart, BP, pulse rate, etc.

Still definitely don't agree with either of you re red meat. She had some reflux opinions that I know are incorrect too (take ACV 😖). But her opinions about B12 line up with what I've read, but went further and were more in depth. She's has much more experience specifically with B12 than, for example, reflux.

Also red meat doesn't have that much B12. Many meat eaters are deficient, unless they regularly eat organ meat, which she thought sounded really bad. But it's the best for both iron and B12.

@TinaT, what diagnosis do you have now aside from CFS? Is this related to Franconi Syndrome at all? Crystals in the eyes? Low Potassium? Sun issues eyes? Are all Franconi symptoms

 

[Freddd]

I just learned about alpha-gal syndrome, and I am having a guest for dinner with it. I never heard of it before last week.

EXPLORE FURTHER​

Alpha-gal Syndrome – Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
lymedisease.org

A Checklist for the Newly Diagnosed - Alpha-gal Information
alphagalinformation.org

Products That May Contain Alpha-gal | Ticks | CDC
cdc.gov

How a Tick Changed Me: My Life With Alpha-Gal Syndrome
allergyeats.com

10 New and Surprising Facts About Alpha-Gal Syndrome

 

[Freddd]

This alpha-gal syndrome can also be set off in some people eating beef at least and is in the same animal foods as contains B12.

 

[Aidan Walsh]

I just learned about alpha-gal syndrome, and I am having a guest for dinner with it. I never heard of it before last week.

EXPLORE FURTHER​

Alpha-gal Syndrome – Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
lymedisease.org

A Checklist for the Newly Diagnosed - Alpha-gal Information
alphagalinformation.org

Products That May Contain Alpha-gal | Ticks | CDC
cdc.gov

How a Tick Changed Me: My Life With Alpha-Gal Syndrome
allergyeats.com

10 New and Surprising Facts About Alpha-Gal Syndrome

I did the alpha gal syndrome panel I was Negative to all meats but after going back now & reviewing my results the Alpha Gal which is Alpha Galactose or Alpha Galactosaide is very low like non existent.

I looked & found out that if the AG is below 1.2 mine was 0.01 it means I most likely now have FARBY DISEASE I would need replacement enzyme therapies for life & low on fat foods & also cut out dairy, lactose free skim milk is allowed xx

 

[Freddd]

I did the alpha gal syndrome panel I was Negative to all meats but after going back now & reviewing my results the Alpha Gal which is Alpha Galactose or Alpha Galactosaide is very low like non existent.

I looked & found out that if the AG is below 1.2 mine was 0.01 it means I most likely now have FARBY DISEASE I would need replacement enzyme therapies for life & low on fat foods & also cut out dairy, lactose free skim milk is allowed xx

Interesting. I'm put it up here as meat is an important source of potassium and could solve a lot of puzzles for some of us. Be well.

 

[Freddd]

@TinaT, what diagnosis do you have now aside from CFS? Is this related to Franconi Syndrome at all? Crystals in the eyes? Low Potassium? Sun issues eyes? Are all Franconi symptoms

CFS/MFS but neither active currently. I'm keeping my MeCbl and methylfolate
(and potassium) high enough. I don't have any Franconi symptoms. However, my first shot over the bow on low potassium is stomach pain and IBS

I have had crystals in eye occasionally all my life/. I have low potassium only when increased cell making with enough methylfolate and MeCbl

 

[Aidan Walsh]

Not sure if I posted here what I have found causes profound daytime fatigue and would also explain stomach compressions vascular nutcracker/mesenteric syndrome I did the alpha-gal meat allergy tests the results were negative but went back to look at my results my alpha-gal is very low non-existent now, anything below 1.2

is FABRY DISEASE a simple blood drops test sent back is the diagnosis, in women they need the genetic test. My apha-gal was 0.01% 1/10 of a % Alpha Gal-alpha galactose-alpha galactoside also known as a-Galactose A is missing in FABRY DISEASE I would need enzyme replacements for life every 2 weeks infused home.

I know now it comes with mesenteric compression I saw an autopsy report of a Fabry Male patient they found mesenteric compression, he also had Fabry disease.
A 20-year-old woman had issues getting pregnant she was found to have FB as well she got well with enzyme replacements & became pregnant months later.

Go look at the symptoms I do not think rare, it is rarely diagnosed by these idiots

 

[Omgitsremy89]

Has anyone has any success with transdermal potassium?

I’ve scoured the web and there’s really no evidence to support its use transdermally. Ive also contacted a few compounding pharmacies and have been told it may work but it would be hard to control the amount and rate of K+ as it gets absorbed. This could be dangerous if too much is absorbed too quickly because you bypass the liver with transdermal application.

The reason I ask is because I have gastritis and potassium in any form is irritating to the point where I simply cant work it in.

It seems to be the rate limiting factor for me as I push methylation. When I do take it for short periods, I feel a whole lot better other than flarring up my gastritis.

Would love to find a solution or other experiences / workarounds here. I just ordered pico potassium chloride and will be spraying it on my thighs along with magnesium.

 

[SJB944]

Has anyone has any success with transdermal potassium?

I’ve scoured the web and there’s really no evidence to support its use transdermally. Ive also contacted a few compounding pharmacies and have been told it may work but it would be hard to control the amount and rate of K+ as it gets absorbed. This could be dangerous if too much is absorbed too quickly because you bypass the liver with transdermal application.

The reason I ask is because I have gastritis and potassium in any form is irritating to the point where I simply cant work it in.

It seems to be the rate limiting factor for me as I push methylation. When I do take it for short periods, I feel a whole lot better other than flarring up my gastritis.

Would love to find a solution or other experiences / workarounds here. I just ordered pico potassium chloride and will be spraying it on my thighs along with magnesium.

I found taking a good quality, low - or minimal - sugar coconut water was a useful way to get potassium in -- diluting with water. Less harsh on the gut than potassium gluconate etc.

 

[ironlion37]

Not a direct answer to your question, but maybe some helpful information here regarding gastritis:

 

[Freddd]

CFS/MFS but neither active currently. I'm keeping my MeCbl and methylfolate
(and potassium) high enough. I don't have any Franconi symptoms. However, my first shot over the bow on low potassium is stomach pain and IBS

I have had crystals in eye occasionally all my life/. I have low potassium only when increased cell making with enough methylfolate and MeCbl

oops, it is CFS/FMS, not MFS, above where I goofed, and no edit possible.