Serum potassium High

[Ahbump]

Hi

I’ve had some blood tests and all fine except serum potassium is 5.7 and highest level should be 5.3 .

Doctor wants me to retest ASAP , I’ve had this before and after retesting it was ok but it was a few years back .

Does anyone know what it might be linked to ? Thanks

It can often be normal when retested.

Thank you

It can just be because either you are difficult to bleed or the sample has sat for too long waiting for the courier to the lab. Both can damage the cells in the blood that then releases the intracellular potassium into the serum. It will most likely be within normal range on the retest (assuming you are not on meds that raise potassium or have kidney problems).

@onlyfortonight thank you it’s been this high before but then normal . My GPS secretary rang saying we need an URGENT blood test from that , that’s what got me googling !

Do you take any medications?

@Crumbleweed I take a PPI and setraline .

There is a history of dodgy kidneys on my mums side

The other results that go with potassium would tell the doctor if you had dodgy kidneys. Good luck with the repeat bloods! Try not to worry!

Thank you everything else was fine had loads of tests done for something else

[quote Ahbump]@Crumbleweed I take a PPI and setraline .

There is a history of dodgy kidneys on my mums side [/quote]
Not the usual culprits.

Get them to test your morning cortisol levels for Addison’s / adrenal insufficiency. High potassium can often be linked to this. Anything under 200 needs investigating- under 100 is an instant diagnosis.

My DD had exactly the same high test (she has dodgy kidneys and like you we were worried). We did the rush repeat test and it was absolutely normal. It is a test that this happens for a lot apparently (false high results) but it is urgent to follow it up just incase. Hope that its the same for you.

Thanks all retest done so should be back later today . Not worried it was more the receptionist who said I needed to come in urgently !!

Came back fine second time round!