High potassium

[moleymoley1]

Hi all, my dad has been told he has high potassium and he’s been told all the risks that come with it . He’s 59 in January. I’m now actually besides myself as he’s so ‘I’ll be alright I’m not going anywhere bla bla’ but I’m a complete daddies girl and I honestly can’t imagine my life without him 😭 has anyone got any experience with this please? Thank you

'high potassium' could mean many things and may not be much of a problem at all. Hopefully whoever ordered the test will have made a sensible plan with him based on whether they think it's actually real, what they think might have caused it if it isn't a spurious result, whether there's any signs it's causing any problems. The 'normal range' for potassium (like most things) needs a bit (/lot) of knowledge and the rest of the test results to interpret properly.

What’s the value?

Suspect it’s not that high otherwise it’d be a medical emergency.

What medications is he on, OP? Mine was an easy fix - I came off Benzofluemiazide. Was fine within 6 weeks.

Hes in hospital as they have declared it an emergency, I’m not sure what the level is I haven’t asked all I know is that he’s at major risk for heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest and kidney failure 😩

At least he's getting the treatment he needs. Fingers crossed for him.

It could be something simple like a side effect of one of his medications. Which can be changed. Try not to panic, they will be bringing it down with their high potassium protocols.

He’s not on any meds he’s usually fit and healthy which is what worries me 😩😩

My MIL was recently in hospital with the same thing. They gave her loads of fluids and reduced a blood pressure tablet and she is now fine.

Can this cause high bp then? As his is very very high

I think they swapped her tablet for a different one that doesn't raise potassium. The fluids were really important, she was on a drip for two nights.

They should check his cortisol levels - google Addisons disease/ adrenal insufficiency. It’s very rare (I have it) but high potassium is often one of the initial signs - although it tends to go with low bp rather than high but that’s not always the case. He will need a blood test taken between 8-9am and if the levels are under 300 he should be referred / seen by endocrinology.

I have had high and low , high potassium they usually use an infusion which attracts the potassium from the blood and pee it out - it can be a bit burny but works