Persistently low potassium - help!

[MrsRPurchase]

This has been going on since January but it’s only been the last couple of months I’ve actually been feeling quite shit.

Apart from constantly being told to up my potassium intake they haven’t really done much, but now I have got one week for my bloods to improve or it’s a transfusion which I really don’t want.

has anyone managed to up their potassium quite quickly? I’ve been doing everything they’ve suggested.

but also - should I be worried about something more serious being the cause of this and not being picked up?

Is your iron / haemoglobin low?

The transfusion will make you feel better almost immediately. I'd have it.

I presume you’ve been taking those awful fizzy tablets as directed? You also need magnesium. Potassium rich foods for every meal: banana on whole meal toast and a glass of orange juice, tomato based stir fries with plenty of leafy greens, chicken and salmon if you eat meat, followed by watermelon. Also, drastically reducing your salt intake should help. That’s how I keep on top of mine as it’s been low for a couple of years. You do know that low potassium can be life threatening so it’s important to get your levels up.

Thanks so much for the advice.

I don’t eat meat or fish but have followed a low sodium diet for years. Always eat lots of beans/nuts/tomatoes and have been adding in lots of leafy greens and recommended foods as much as possible. And of course the horrible fizzy things which are just 🤢

The infusions are fine but take all day, it’s potassium in a drip not a blood transfusion. They should investigate why it is low, eg blood pressure meds can cause it to drop if you take them.

Blood count absolutely fine!

liver function/AKI off, although that’s quite normal for me

You need magnesium to make the potassium work properly, so in addition to eating a potassium-rich diet and taking potassium supplements (Sando-K) try upping your magnesium input as well. Magnesium supplements are easy to buy online or from high street shops.

Why not get the drip? You'll feel much better.

I had a transfusion reaction a few years ago, albeit to something else, but it was so frightening I’d like to avoid it if I can.

If it was that bad, I don’t think they’d be sending me home to eat more bananas

Will definitely try upping the magnesium, thank you!

do you mean a blood transfusion or potassium in an iv drip?

Interesting that you mention abnormal kidney blood tests. This could be related.
If you take any medication like Omeprazole, that can also do it.

So what is the level ?
And what do you mean by AKi normal for you?

What medication are you on?

Additionally, if they are stating you have abnormal kidney results then they should investigate any adrenal issues.

Potassium in a drip! I think I meant “infusion” ? apologies for the confusion

Lo Salt type salt substitutes are very high in potassium.

My AKI results have come up as the lowest “alert” on and off for years but they know why that is. They don’t seem to think it’s linked because it would send my potassium the other way? (High not low)

Potassium? 3.1

potassium maintenance is pretty complex and your medical team are the best people to advise you as no one on here can give you sensible advice without knowing the rest of your medical story.

Agree with this.

I know this is an old post.

Is your issue resolved now?

I ask because I was diagnosed with low potassium too (3) and it is still low even after the effervexcant tablets as well as a good diet (nuts, seeds, bananas, pulses , spinach etc)

I feel tired but push myself to exercise and GP has said I should continue to do this.

I have another blood test in November .

Google and the heart related issue worries me .