Any drs or nurses that could help? Please

[Potassium123]

Hi

i made a thread recently but can’t find it now arghh, I name changed for it and can’t remember what I name changed to either so just figured it would be easier to start a whole new thread,

I was unwell over a month ago and in hospital for a few days, they picked up I had low potassium and gave me a prescription for sando k and told me to get a blood test in a few days. I did that and the potassium was still low, so more sando k and another blood test. And repeat. And repeat. Now unfortunately this is my 5th (I think) prescription for sando k. I just took it 3x a day for 7 days last week and had a blood test yesterday- they’ve just called with the results because apparently the potassium was 2.8. Am I being UR to be a bit worried about this? It was previously in the low 3s so I know 2.8 is a bit lower, but it’s not serious is it? From googling it says it’s only serious from 2.5? I’ve got another prescription for sando k and more blood tests next week, just slightly worried as the last few doses of sando K didn’t do much and if it’s 2.8 now I’m worried it’ll keep falling. I’ve tried eating loads of potatoes and bananas but I’ve been having awful headaches and pins and needles which I’m not sure if is down to the low potassium or me worrying about it!

can anyone please offer any advice or knowledge about this? Or any advice at all? Thanks in advance, just a bit of an anxious person in general x

@penguinbiscuits no of course it’s not. The receptionist will have been relaying the message given by the doctor, who will have seen the result. Please don’t start implying that non clinicians will be acting independently on blood tests. That would never happen.

Jesus you are so awful to post like this. Op is seeking medical advice as advised. It's not enough to say lots of posters have told her to go A&E when she doesn't know if they're medically qualified or not!!!

'Please don’t start implying that non clinicians will be acting independently on blood tests. That would never happen.'

So receptionist discusses test results with the patient? Whether the Dr passed on the message or not, I stand by what I said. That is very grim. I don't want a receptionist to discuss my results with me, I want to be able to ask questions related to the results that only a qualified Dr would be able to answer.

Why would I want to discuss my personal health results with someone who answers a phone? How interpersonal and almost insulting. I have a doctor-patient relationship with my doctor and it is nice to discuss things with him only as he'll be able to see (and knows) my whole medical history.

And how far do they take it? Would they discuss Pap smear results too? STI results? What is someone has gonorrhoea?

What a dire state this is in.

It's been like this for years, I had a call from receptionist recently telling me I needed to book in for a blood test, no idea what test, id had no conversation with the doctor and yes they have read out results to me, one even read out my ct scan result, it's a
bloody disgrace.

My mum was blue lighted to hospital when she took a really bad turn. Her potassium like yours was found to be 2.8. Please please go get checked out

@penguinbiscuits It's not a discussion. They just read out the note that the doctor has left for you on the system. You don't need an appointment to be told "Prescription left at reception." If the doctor feels that a discussion is needed, they will phone you, or you will be told to make an appointment. As for PAP/STI/whatever, the doctor's note will just say "everything is normal" or "make an appointment". The receptionist doesn't give diagnoses. They don't normally give results either unless you specifically ask them what was the result.

@Potassium123 I'm hoping you are ok and got some help yesterday?

Receptionists don't "discuss" bloods. They read out the message the gp have attached to the results. Normally "bloods are fine" "go to a&e" "make a routine appt with Dr x to discuss y"

Stop scare mongering

Hi!

sorry, I’m the OP- I meant to update and then I forgot to and since then I’ve forgot the bloody password to my MN account so had to make a new one. Just wanted to post an update in case anyone is still around

so it’s been a few weeks since I’ve made this post and basically it’s still happening. I’ve been back and forth to the GP and the hospital, the lowest it’s been to was 2.2 (or something like that) and now it seems to be hovering about the low 3s/high 2s. It was better last week then I felt the symptoms start again- fast heart, weird feelings in my hands and feet and just general exhaustion. It honestly feels as I’ve been knocked down by a tractor. I had another blood test at the GP because of this to check the potassium and the results came back today at 2.7 so more sando K and another blood test to check it in a week but thankfully don’t have to go back to hospital which is the main thing! I’ve never felt as shit as I’ve felt recently in all my life so hoping it goes up and stays up soon.

thanks everyone for all the help and advice.

Thanks for updating @Potassium123 . What a mystery, I do hope it can be sorted out for you soon .

I have experience of this. If a blood level of 2.8 is unusual for you, then normally you would be sent to A&E for an infusion.

I think it’s maybe area specific, as they said here the GP can give treatment as long as it’s not below 2.5 x

Hopefully it is being safely monitored. I wish you all the best OP.