It's a health one. Potassium levels

[HealthTestsAnxiety]

Posting for traffic. NC as possibly outing.

I'm monitored regularly as I'm on methotrexate. My potassium levels have shown as 5.4, which I know is only just over the upper normal level. The nurse called me and explained that if I start having palpitations etc I need to be seen urgently as your heart can be affected. And that I should arrange a follow up blood test as soon as I can.

My childrens dad died this year and this has resulted in me being very anxious now about also dying and leaving them as orphans. OTT I know but I think it is probably a normal reaction.

Can anyone advise if I should be very concerned about these numbers or if this is more a case of watching and waiting and changing meds if necessary? Yes I will of course be following my nurse's advice on it, however I didn't ask her if I needed to be worried as I wasn't expecting the phonecall from her.

My husband got a high potassium reading recently and it was total panic stations at the GP. I think that freaked him out more.

Maybe ring back and ask some questions now you've processed it a bit and definitely follow the advice.

And yes you need another blood test.

4.5-5.5 is what we aim for in my hospital dept. We kinda sigh with relief if it’s where yours is.

I wouldn’t worry at 5.4 .
With the methotrexate they will monitor bloods regularly anyway for you.

Ypu may well have had these levels for as long as you have been on the drug and not known anything about it to be fair.

Thank you, definitely booking another test

That's reassuring thank you. My level was 4.5 in May so it's definitely ģone up. The nurse said something about maybe the sample sat around before getting tested so hopefully just that

I monitor blood results for a living - for potassium of 5.4 we would want repeat blood test within a week. It's not at all unusual, sometimes it's just a lab blip - potassium levels will artificially rise if there is a delay between taking the sample and processing, or sometimes its just due to dehydration.
We only really worry if its above 6!

Thank you, appreciate that. I'm at hospital tomorrow so going to ask if they'll do bloods there.