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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be terrified

62 replies

PinkGlitter123 · 27/03/2019 20:48

Doctor said I had high potassium (6.6) but that my kidneys were fine. Now doing a retest but terrified it will come back higher and I will be admitted to hospital. If it isn't kidneys then what's the problem? Googling has terrified me with talk of heart disease and cancers 😢

OP posts:
Original poster
PinkGlitter123 · 30/03/2019 07:53

6.6. I can't sleep through worry. I am so scared that my kidneys are failing and just not showing up in the bloods. Also scared it's my heart.
All my other tests came back fine but that was such a high reading. 😥

I stopped my turmeric use and stopped drinking orange juice but I can't help but feel it's not as simple as that. Fully expecting to get a call
when it's retested telling me I need to go straight to A&E 😐😢😐

OP posts:
GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough · 30/03/2019 08:13

It's quite common for potassium results to b wrong as there often not processed quick enough and then they give a false results

HopefullyAnonymous · 30/03/2019 08:19

Do you suffer from health anxiety OP?

Original poster
PinkGlitter123 · 30/03/2019 08:19

I have been through so much with the colitis that I can't imagine having another possible illness.
It would be a sick joke to be in remission with one disease only to gain another.

I spoke to another lady online who has colitis and her potassium jumps around from 4 to 7 and the doctors aren't worried as everything else comes back fine as it does with me. They just monitor it and check her kidneys are still doing ok each time.

I guess I just have visions of getting a call telling me to straight to A&E as it continues to be high. I wouldn't be so concerned if it was just over but 6.6 is exceptionally high and risen a lot since September 😐

OP posts:
Original poster
PinkGlitter123 · 30/03/2019 08:23

HopefullyAnnoymous, As I said, I already have a condition (Ulcerative colitis) so anything that comes back high on a reading especially one like this which can have a catastrophic impact is really concerning. Most people with my condition are low in potassium/sodium/calcium so it makes zero sense. If it was a case of them just putting me on some tablets to stabilize it I wouldn't be so worried but its never that simple with me.

OP posts:
HopefullyAnonymous · 30/03/2019 08:55

It’s just that your level of worry over this seems disproportionate to the actual likelihood of their being anything at all wrong. It must be difficult with your pre-existing illness but it might be worth having a chat with someone about the anxiety you’re experiencing.

stayclosetoyourself · 30/03/2019 08:55

Hi OP I wouldn't be scared about kidney failure as that would show in the blood tests .
However I would be a bit concerned about a potassium of 6.6 which is a treatable level . Sorry if I missed this but did the GP offer a repeat the same day? Usually we treat that level or repeat same day and treat if still high. I don't want to worry you but just saying this in case you wanted to clarify perhaps with the out of hours GP service today what the level was and explain how anxious you are so perhaps get a repeat test today

Original poster
PinkGlitter123 · 30/03/2019 08:58

I am booked in Monday. If it was a lower level I wouldn't be so concerned but it is very high.

OP posts:
chocolatemademefat · 30/03/2019 09:16

I’ve had this twice in the last fortnight. I’m diabetic and it showed up in my blood tests. Both times I was sent to hospital to be retested and have my heart checked. Apparently it can have an effect on your heart.

The first time my level dropped from 6.3 to 5.5 in the space of a few hours. The second time I was put on a drip to bring it down. I was also given calcium resonium powder to take at home to help keep it down.

One doctor at the hospital told me some people run with a higher potassium level than others.

Foods to avoid are spinach, tomatoes, bananas and chocolate.

Hope this helps.

Frogqueen13 · 30/03/2019 09:36

We treat at 6 at our hospital

stayclosetoyourself · 31/03/2019 00:13

I find this hard to understand Op- did you call the out of hours doctor as I suggested because I think you need to clarify the level. I have never heard of doctors leaving a level of 6.6 . 5.6 yes. I think you should check if the out of hours GP can see the result on the system.

Original poster
PinkGlitter123 · 31/03/2019 09:41

I had an appointment for colitis last week and he said my result threw up a high reading for potassium. As my kidneys and everything else was fine, he was not concerned and asked me to do a repeat test on Monday. I know it will come come back high again so have a bag packed ready to be admitted

OP posts:
JellycatElfie · 01/04/2019 10:47

I honestly think you’d be having symptoms if your potassium was truly that high. Did they struggle when they did your bloods?

Original poster
PinkGlitter123 · 01/04/2019 11:24

Do have a bit of a weird tingling in my hands at times. Off to do a repeat now and am sure I will get a call telling me to urgently come back in later on today or tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
PinkGlitter123 · 01/04/2019 11:25

I don't think there was a problem taking the blood, no.

OP posts:
Original poster
PinkGlitter123 · 01/04/2019 15:07

Redid test today. Sure it will be high again so have a bag packed ready to go in as an urgent case.

OP posts:
Motoko · 01/04/2019 15:37

When will you get the result?

Original poster
PinkGlitter123 · 01/04/2019 15:40

As soon as they come back and are high again I will no doubt get a call.
So later today or tomorrow.

OP posts:
stayclosetoyourself · 01/04/2019 20:01

So did you double check it was definitely 6.6?
If so it all seems a bit unusual.

Original poster
PinkGlitter123 · 01/04/2019 20:31

Yes, it was 6.6.
After ruling out kidneys, it can only be cancer, addisons or heart disease. I haven't had a call yet but then I didn't with the original reading so that means nothing.

OP posts:
Motoko · 01/04/2019 22:52

No OP, it doesn't only mean that. You're ignoring what people have said are other reasons the reading could be high, due to delays in getting the bloods tested etc.

Try to calm down. I know what it's like being convinced that a test result is going to be bad news, but it isn't always. You need to do something to keep your mind off it. I always have either the radio or tv on in the background, and read Mumsnet, or do a hobby, or something. Anything to keep the thoughts drowned out by external sources.

Original poster
PinkGlitter123 · 01/04/2019 23:08

I am trying so hard but petrified I will get a call tomorrow saying its even higher and I have to go in.
I so want to believe it's just a lab error but because I get weird tingling in my hands I do think it is a true result but can't work out why. I don't think I have diabetes or addisons and so I just don't get it.

OP posts:
Whattodo13333 · 01/04/2019 23:30

If it was mega high you'd have had a call to go in for treatment by no, the lab would have to act on the result. X

Whattodo13333 · 01/04/2019 23:31

Now

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 01/04/2019 23:38

Do you have health anxiety @PinkGlitter123 ?

Having a bag packed seems unusual